Prep School Grads earn high marks

  • Published
  • By Amber Baillie
  • Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  Results from this year's chemistry and graphing placement exam at the Prep School reveal cadet candidates raised the academic bar and have their sights set high on Academy success.

This year's cadet candidates performed significantly better on their placement exams than last year's Prep School class with a 33.2 percent improvement in chemistry scores, 12.5 percent improvement in graphing scores, and a 24.8 percent increase in total score.

Prep School students take standardized tests in math, science and reading during Basic Military Training and in the spring to measure their academic improvement throughout the year.

"We know that the academic performance of this year's class is statistically significantly better than any class since 2003, and possibly ever, although we don't have computer records prior to 2003 to compare," said Col. Kabrena Rodda, the Academy's Preparatory School commander.

The school offers a 10-month program that consists of academic preparation, military training, athletic conditioning, intercollegiate athletics and character development to equip cadet candidates with the skills necessary for success at the Academy. This year, 189 graduated from the Prep School and 178 earned appointments to the Academy.

"An opportunity to attend the Prep School is just that, an opportunity," Rodda said. "It opens the door for cadet candidates to either take advantage of the opportunity by working hard at developing themselves academically, athletically, and militarily, or not."

The purpose of the Prep School is to provide an opportunity for a path to becoming an officer that would not otherwise exist, Rodda said.

"We work to help provide additional academic preparation to students and do it in an environment where there is a foundation of military discipline and athletic preparation with the ultimate purpose of helping preppies be successful in all areas," she said.

Carl von Clausewitz's concept of the "remarkable trinity" provides an excellent model for where the Prep School has focused their efforts, Rodda said.

"It focuses on balancing passion and the play of chance and probability (developed at the Prep School largely through our athletic and military training programs)with what Clausewitz referred to as subordination to rational policy (developed at the the Prep School through our academic programs)," she said. "The idea is that if you only focus on one area, you're less likely to be successful as a whole, so we need to keep the trinity intact."

Lt. Col. Alicia Matteson, dean of academics at the Academy's Preparatory School, said the school's mission is to prepare and develop a diverse group of cadet candidates to lead at the Academy.

"The Prep School provides the opportunity for bright and motivated young women and men, from diverse geographical areas, socioeconomic status, previous military service, diverse cultures, first-generation Americans and college students, to focus on strengthening their academics, athletics and military performances so they perform well at the Academy and as second lieutenants in our Air Force."

Rodda said she thinks the Class of 2014's success is largely due to consistent messaging across the Prep School.

"Throughout my two years here, especially this year, we've really focused on upholding standards and making sure we're all speaking with one voice in our mentorship of our students," she said. "I firmly believe students will raise their game to meet a higher standard, and will have more pride in their accomplishments, if they are given a consistent expectation that it is required."

Through the Prep School's academic probation program cadet candidates are required to accomplish academic study sessions each week and regularly meet with an academic advisor to earn free time.

"This motivates them to do what they need to do so they can enjoy some free time, reinforcing good study habits," Rodda said. "We want to emphasize that performance matters and that cadet candidates can't expect a strong recommendation for an appointment to the Academy if they don't meet admission guidelines. The guidelines focus on academics, military and character."

Questions on the bi-annual exams may change from year to year, but the level of difficulty and standards remain the same, she said.

"The fact that the standards remain the same on these externally-derived tests ensures we get a clear picture of students' improvement over the course of their year here," Rodda said. "I've learned a great deal in this job, and have really appreciated coming back to my alma mater and assuming a position where I have had the authority to work to make things better for those who come after me. My staff has worked hard to codify the improvements we've made, and I know my successor will build on these improvements."