Is there an educator who made you feel seen, supported, or inspired? Students and families—now’s your chance to say thank you.
For Educator Appreciation Week (May 4-8, 2026), we’re inviting you to write a short thank‑you note to any Model faculty or staff member who has made a difference.
At Model, we celebrate Educator Appreciation—not just Teacher Appreciation—because every member of our community plays a vital role in shaping students’ experiences and helping them thrive.
Your messages will be delivered to ensure our educators feel seen, valued, and celebrated, and our goal is to share a note with every faculty and staff member.
Share your appreciation here ➡️ model.eku.edu/thankyou
✨ Prom 2026: Golden Age Glamour ✨ The Class of 2027 is bringing the Golden Age of Hollywood to life! Step into a night of classic Hollywood elegance and red‑carpet style on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
8:00-11:00 p.m.
EKU Center for the Arts Blackbox Theatre
Tickets: $10 each
On sale during secondary lunch times at the Snack Shack
Last week, our fourth and fifth graders took learning beyond the classroom with unforgettable trips and experiences!
Fifth grade students explored our nation’s capital, walking among iconic monuments and gaining a deeper understanding of American history, while others discovered Kentucky’s rich past through immersive visits to the Kentucky History Center and the Mary Todd Lincoln House.
At the same time, many fourth graders headed to 4‑H Camp for a hands-on outdoor learning adventure they’ll always remember! While at camp, students canoed, studied pond ecosystems, observed birds and insects, dissected owl pellets, hiked, and bonded as a class. Along the way, they built independence and responsibility, demonstrated teamwork, curiosity, and respect, and represented Model with pride.
From stepping outside comfort zones to building new relationships and making lifelong memories, these experiences brought learning to life in powerful ways.
Thank you to our families, faculty, and staff for supporting these meaningful opportunities and for sharing so many great photos along the way!
The Madison County International Committee will be sponsoring another exchange between Model High School and Koryo High School in Hokuto City Japan. Model students will travel to Hokuto City October 9-17, 2026. While in Japan, students will attend classes at Koryo High School, participate in a variety of cultural activities, and stay with homestay families. The group will also visit Tokyo for one day. Students will be responsible for the cost of their flight, hotel room, passport, and personal expenses. Exact costs will be determined in early June. Last year, the trip cost approximately $2,000. Students in Classes 2027-30 are eligible to participate.
If you are interested in applying for the program, please complete this form by Sunday, April 19, 2026.
If you have any questions, please contact Angela Hardin at angela.hardin@eku.edu or Lynnette Noblitt at lynnette.noblitt@eku.edu.
We’re excited to share our latest feature now airing on LEX 18! WATCH IT HERE. The Standard for Teaching and Learning puts our incredible faculty front and center, highlighting the passion, expertise, and care that define the Model experience each and every day.
A special thank you to our on-screen educators — Jasmine Spata, Mary Tom Emanuel, Angela Hardin, and Aaron Teegarden — thank you for representing Model with confidence and professionalism on camera! This feature was also shaped by the authentic voices of our educators. We’re grateful to Anne Calloway Dacci, Heather Taylor, Angela Hardin, Mary Tom Emanuel, and Whitley Marcum, whose testimonials were woven directly into the script to tell the Model story in a real and meaningful way.
Created to share what makes Model Laboratory Schools so special with audiences across the region, this piece reflects the heart of who we are—a place where teaching and learning go hand in hand to create a truly world-class experience. Be sure to tune in to LEX 18 to catch it on air, and let us know when you see it!
The sun will come out… opening night! ☀️🎭 Model Laboratory School Theatre is bringing Annie JR. to the EKU Center for the Arts stage, and you won’t want to miss this heartwarming, toe-tapping favorite.
Join us for a show full of optimism, adventure, and unforgettable performances all brought to life by our talented students:
Friday, April 24 at 6:30 PM
Saturday, April 25 at 2:30 PM & 6:30 PM
Sunday, April 26 at 2:30 PM
🎟 Tickets are on sale now: model.eku.edu/theatre, Adults: $10 | Students/Youth: $5
From the final days of Term 3 to an exciting start to Term 4, Model students have been learning, leading, and creating in every corner of campus!
We’re proud of Dawson Abney ('32) and Adaline Fosbenner (Grade 3), who represented Model at the Big Blue Bee Regional Spelling Bee—congratulations to Dawson on a fourth-place finish! We’re also proud of our Speech & Debate teams who advanced to State following outstanding regional performances, along with Coach Cody Marsili, who was named Junior Coach of the Year. Hands-on learning was on full display across grade levels—from Mrs. Herbst’s class giving back through a pet drive and service project, to Dr. Smith's Health & Fitness students partnering with our youngest learners in Mrs. Winkler's class for nutrition activities. Meanwhile, Mrs. Hardin's Honors Media & Information Literacy students explored EKU’s Special Collections, connecting their learning to Fahrenheit 451 in a powerful, real-world way.
Our classrooms were buzzing with creativity and critical thinking: seniors in AP Lang brought “how-to” writing to life through engaging presentations—so much so that Mrs. Marcum even tried skateboarding herself! Mr. Marsili's students showcased original civilizations at their World Summit, and Mr. Teegarden's classes hosted mock summits to connect mathematical concepts to the real world. We also celebrated the arts with phenomenal chorus and orchestra performances, and a big congratulations to Dillon Fitzgerald (Grade 5) for his winning Patriot Shoppe t-shirt design!
It was a strong finish and an even stronger start as we begin to wrap up the 2025-26 school year! See more photos on our Facebook.
Yesterday, Senior families should have received a reminder about important upcoming deadlines. Read that email directly here, or visit the Class of 2026 webpage (model.eku.edu/classof2026).
Two exciting events are happening tomorrow at Model—don’t miss out! 📚🔬
Join us for our Spring Book Fair, running March 26-April 2, where students can explore great reads and build their home libraries. Elementary classes will visit during the school day, and students can shop before school starting at 7:30 a.m. and after school until 3:45 p.m. Plus, we’ll be open during STEAM Night Thursday evening!
Then, make plans to attend Model Elementary STEAM Night tomorrow, Thursday, March 26 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Enjoy an evening of hands-on science, technology, engineering, art, and math activities for the whole family. From experiments to creative challenges, there’s something for everyone to explore and enjoy.
Come out, get involved, and celebrate learning in all its forms 💡✏️🎨🧩🧪
Model Middle Cheer tryouts are coming up soon!
Clinic Dates: Tuesday, April 14 | 3:30-5:00 p.m. (Parent meeting 5:00-5:30 p.m.) and Wednesday, April 15 | 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Tryouts: Thursday, April 16 | 4:30-6:00 p.m.
Location: Weaver Gym
Who: Incoming 5th-8th graders — beginners and experienced cheerleaders welcome!
Must attend both clinic days to try out.
Are you ready to bring the spirit? Register now: model.eku.edu/modelmiddlecheer | Questions? Contact Coach Jessie Spears at Jessica.Spears@eku.edu.
🎓 Support the Class of 2026 with EGG MY YARD! 🥚🐰 Let the Model Lab Senior Class "bunnies" do all the work this Easter! Order treat-filled eggs to be hidden in your yard on Friday or Saturday night of Easter weekend and wake up to a fun-filled surprise!
Pricing (All proceeds benefit the Model Lab Class of 2026 Project Graduation.):
25 eggs = $20
50 eggs = $40
75 eggs = $60
100 eggs = $80
Orders due: Friday, March 27 at model.eku.edu/eggmyyard. | Questions? Email ModelProjectGrad2026@gmail.com.
Spring Break is here! 🌷☀️ Model Laboratory Schools will be on Spring Break from Monday, March 9 through Friday, March 13. All school offices will be closed during this time.
We look forward to welcoming students back on Monday, March 16, refreshed and ready for a strong finish to the school year. Enjoy a safe and well-deserved break!
History-Making First Year for Model DECA! Model DECA traveled to Louisville this week to compete against 1,300 students at the Kentucky DECA State Career Development Conference and returned with three State Champion titles. In an extraordinary accomplishment, every Model competitor advanced to the Top 5 finals and earned a state medal—an outstanding milestone for Model’s first year as a DECA chapter!
🥇 Aiden Flynn ('27) — 1st Place, Automotive Services Marketing
🥇 David Tofan ('27) & Matthew Marks ('27) — 1st Place, Entrepreneurship Team Decision Making
🥇 Tobias Sowders ('27) — 1st Place, Marketing Cluster Exam; his score also earned a certification from the American Marketing Association.
🏅 Whitley Combs ('27) & Alice Schneider ('27) — Top 5 Finalists, Business Law and Ethics Team Decision Making
👏 A special shoutout to Mrs. Haley McCoy, Model’s Business & Marketing Instructor and DECA Sponsor, for leading the program to such an impressive start in her first year at Model. Mrs. McCoy shared that having every Model student place in the finals is an amazing feat for a first-year chapter and truly raises the bar for Kentucky DECA.
By performing so well at the state level, these students have earned the opportunity to represent Kentucky at the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Atlanta in April. Congratulations to these students for representing Model with excellence!
The Model Patriots are entering the 11th Region Tournament tonight, and we need all Patriot fans to fill the stands! All tickets must be purchased digitally at model.eku.edu/regiontickets.
6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 | Model Patriots vs. Great Crossing Warhawks | Baptist Health Arena at Alumni Coliseum
Congratulations to our Elementary and High School Academic Teams on outstanding performances at the Governor’s Cup Region Tournaments!
High School Academic Team (Feb. 21)
The Quick Recall team of Logan Combs (’29), Caleb Crispin (’29), Mark Edwards (’28), Roan Hoskins (’28), Ethan Little (’28), Bea McCoy (’29), and Kate Whitlock (’29) finished fourth overall at Regionals.
Special congratulations to Caleb Crispin (’29), runner-up in Social Studies content assessments, who advances to the State competition in March!
Kudos to coaches Laura Dedic and Tyger Williams on a strong 2026 season!
Elementary Academic Team (Feb. 28)
4th Place Overall
2nd Place – Future Problem Solving
Katherine Hume Sportsmanship Award
Individual Honors:
Composition – 3rd: Dakota P. (Grade 5)
Language Arts – 3rd: Anishka S. (Grade 5); 5th: Ian H. (Grade 5)
We’re so proud of these students and grateful for coaches Anne Calloway Dacci, Jessie Spears, and Sarah Willoughby for leading the way!
Congratulations to our Varsity Boys Basketball team on finishing district play as the 2026 44th District Runners-Up! 🏀👏 Next stop: the 11th Region Tournament. Let’s pack the stands and show up loud for our Patriots! Details 👇
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
6:15 p.m.
Opponent: Great Crossing
EKU's Baptist Health Arena at Alumni Coliseum
💰🏆 STATE CHAMPIONS! 🏆💰 Congratulations to Model’s Personal Finance Team for earning First Place in the Middle School Division at the Kentucky Personal Finance Challenge State Competition today at Northern Kentucky University. Team members: Jahnu Shrivastana (‘31), Davis Abney (‘31), Dawson Abney (‘32), Blye Baker (‘30) A special thank you to their dedicated coaches, Dr. Maggie Abney and Mrs. Jana Mayer, for guiding this team all the way to the top!
The Kentucky Personal Finance Challenge (KYPFC) is a rigorous academic competition that allows students to demonstrate and apply real-world financial knowledge in a competitive setting, preparing them to make smart financial decisions for life. Our students aren’t just learning about the future—they’re mastering it.
🏀 REWRITING HISTORY 🏀 The Model Patriots are headed to the District Championship for the first since 2015. 💪🏻 Let’s show up and show out as the boys take on the Madison Central Indians for the 44th District title — and it’s a NAVY OUT!
Baptist Health Arena at Alumni Coliseum | Thursday, February 26 | 8:00 p.m.
