Acceleration Academy (Statewide Summer)

The Acceleration Academy (Summer) component is a 5-week opportunity that is held on the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) campus and hosted by ANSEP. Students will be housed on the UAA campus for the duration of the session.

The application is now open for Summer 2025!

STEP 1: Take the ALEKS Math Placement Test

READ FIRST:
You do NOT need to take the ALEKS Math Placement Test if you have:
a) Successfully completed MATH 105 – Intermediate Algebra with w C grade or higher through a University of Alaska campus (UAA, UAF, or UAS) or;
b) Scored a 30 or higher on the ALEKS Math Placement test in July 2023 or later

If you have completed any of the above, you may proceed to STEP 2.

Apply for admission to UAA and take the ALEKS test:

PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR ADMISSION APPLICATION TO THE UNIVERSITY AT LEAST 5 DAYS PRIOR TO THE APPLICATION DEADLINE
UA may require 3-5 business days to register student IDs which are required for the ALEKs placement test.

Prior to submitting your Acceleration Academy (Summer) application, please complete the ALEKS Math Placement test.

Note: The University now requires for the ALEKS Placement Exam to be proctored. You may choose to be proctored virtually or with a local exam proctor or go to your local testing center.

STEP 2: Submit an application

1. Have ALL the following documents ready for upload BEFORE you begin the online application process:
   • ALEKS math placement score (PDF document)
   • Official transcript (A link or PDF)
   • 500-word essay describing the following:
     • Why you are ready to be successful in college courses
     • How do you plan to contribute to the future of Alaska?
   • Recommendation Forms (Have your teacher(s) complete the form and send back to you for upload)
     • Math teacher Recommendation Form
     • Science teacher Recommendation Form
       • NOTE: If the student is submitting an online application form, then the teacher must be okay with the student seeing their recommendation form responses, as the student will need access to the completed PDF document to upload into the online application. Otherwise, if the teacher is NOT okay with the student having access to their responses on the recommendation form, the student should complete a printed application packet.
   • Signed ANSEP Studies Agreement Form

Will this opportunity be held on campus?
Yes.

Will there be housing on campus available for participating students?
Yes. Students will live on campus at the UAA dorms and must remain living on campus for the full 5-week duration.

Will classes be held in-person or via distance delivery?
All UAA summer semester classes are currently scheduled to be delivered in-person.

I am a homeschool student. Who should complete my teacher recommendation forms?
Either your academic advisor or your parent/guardian may complete the forms. If your parent/guardian is to complete the form, it should be completed as unbiased as possible.

My math/science teacher has completed a sealed paper/PDF recommendation form and I would like to submit an online application. What should I do?
If your teacher(s) are okay with seeing their responses on the recommendation forms, you may unseal the form to be submitted online.

I do not have a laptop or tablet to attend the online class(es). Will ANSEP have laptops/tablets available for participating students?
ANSEP will have Chromebook laptops and tablets available for students to check-out for the duration of the 5-week session. Participating students will receive a pre-session survey to determine who will need to check-out technology devices.

How much does it cost families to attend Acceleration Academy (Summer)?
All ANSEP opportunities are free of charge to students and their families. ANSEP covers all costs associated with attending Acceleration Academy, which includes tuition, fees, class materials, and housing, meals and transportation (if applicable).

I have previously participated in Acceleration Academy and/or have previously completed a UAA math course. Do I still need to take the ALEKS math placement test?
If you have successfully completed MATH 105 – Intermediate Algebra or higher with at least a ‘C’ grade, then you do not need to take the ALEKS math placement test. Students may take the ALEKS math placement test if they want to take a higher level math course (Ex: Student has already completed MATH 105 – Intermediate Algebra and would like to take MATH 152 – Trigonometry. In this case, the ALEKS test is required).

Students who have already completed a UAA math course and do not want to take the ALEKS math placement test should print out an unofficial transcript from www.alaska.edu/uaonline and include it with their application packet.

What classes are available for this year’s session?
All participating students will enroll into a university math course. The math course placement will be dependent upon the student’s ALEKS math placement score or successful previous completion of a UAA math course. To see what ALEKS scores are required for the different math courses available, visit the UAA ALEKS Placement Exam Info site. A minimum score of 30 or higher is required to be eligible for the available math courses.

There may be the possibility for students to enroll in an additional, optional course (AKNS 201 – Alaska Native Perspectives or ENGR 151 – Introduction to Engineering).

When will I know if I am accepted into the program?
Applicants will be notified of their application status within one month after the application deadline.

Ryne O’Reilly 

ANSEP Program Coordinator – Acceleration Components
Phone: (907) 786-0880
Email: rmoreilly2@alaska.edu