Texas Tech High School hosts successful commencement ceremony

By Leslie Cranford, Media Relations Coordinator, Marketing

Texas Tech University High School, part of TTU K-12, hosted its annual commencement ceremony June 2 at the McKenzie-Merket Alumni Center on the campus of Texas Tech University.

This year's commencement speaker was Justin R. Louder, Ed.D., associate vice provost for Texas Tech University eLearning & Academic Partnerships. He praised the graduates, who are joining thousands of TTU-K12 alumni from all over the world, and said he can't wait to see what they do next.

"I want to congratulate the TTU K-12 class of 2018," he said. "As they move on to their next endeavor, whether that be studying at an institution of higher education, a community college or joining the work force, they are well prepared for whatever their future may bring them. I would also like to congratulate the parents, siblings, extended family members and friends for helping our graduates get to this point."

Presley Duyck, a senior from Frisco, Texas, who attended the ceremony, says switching from public school to the more flexible online schedule of TTU K-12 absolutely helped her pursue her passion for theater and music. Read and watch more of Presley's story.

"In a public school, you have set times you have to be there, and you are stuck in the building. With TTU K-12 I'm not limited to when I have to do the schoolwork. I can do my schoolwork at night if I need to and take extra or college-level acting, singing or dance classes during the day," Duyck said. "My decision to attend TTU K-12 is one of the best decisions I've ever made."

She will be attending Pepperdine University with scholarships to study music and theater.

During the 2017-2018 school year, 314 students completed their graduation requirements, and 18 of those graduates and their families attended the commencement ceremony. Those attending include 16 students from Texas, one from New Mexico and one from Tennessee.

Among the 2017-2018 TTU K-12 graduates, six of the graduates will attend Texas Tech University. Other colleges and universities these students will attend include: Austin Community College, Blinn College, Brookhaven Community College, Collin County Community College, Colorado State University, Fordham University, Indiana University, Lone Star College, McLennan Community College, Navarro College, Pepperdine University, San Antonio College, San Jacinto College, Seminole State University (Oklahoma), South Plains College, Texas A&M University, Trinity Valley Community College, University of Dallas, University of Houston, University of North Texas, University of Texas at Austin and Victoria College.

The 2017-2018 graduates come from five states in the U.S. and three foreign countries: Alabama, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas (89); and Belgium, Brazil (218), Singapore and a U.S. military base in Europe.

The class valedictorian with a GPA of 4.45, is Connor J. Posavitz of Addison, Texas. There are 18 students with a GPA of 4.0 or above. The average GPA is 2.87. The average SAT scores are 591 on the evidence-based reading and writing portion, and 542 on the math portion. The average ACT composite score is 23. STAAR end-of-course averages are 4362 for English 1, 4319 for English 2, 4166 for Algebra 1, 4302 for Biology and 4341 for U.S. History.

TTU K-12 provides educational solutions by offering more than 160 courses. The course of study allows students to ultimately earn an accredited Texas high school diploma. The program offers a full-time and supplementary program as well as credit by examination.

Established by the State Board of Education in the fall of 1993, TTU K-12 was designed to help students whose educational challenges were not being adequately met by traditional school districts. Since then it has grown to serve students across the country and in more than 65 countries around the world.

TTU K-12 is accredited by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), and the high school is accredited by the NCAA. All courses and credit-by-exams are aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR).

 

 

Representatives of the Texas Tech High School Class of 2018

 

Presley Duyck (left) with Texas Tech mascot Raider Red, and her mom, Michelle Duyck (right)

 

Dr. Justin Louder addresses the commencement participants

 

New graduates celebrate after the ceremony.