Pop quiz: During Model's 120-year history, was there ever a teacher who kept a pet alligator in her classroom? 🐊 To find out, tune in to Model's latest feature on Best of the Bluegrass with Jennifer Palumbo airing on LEX18 TODAY on Saturday, September 12, at 9:30 a.m. We're also proud of Jay M. and Saylor S. for serving as our on-screen talent and sharing their own Model experiences!
Thank you to over 150 Model Family members for sharing their Model memories on the Alumni Facebook page recently. Those memories inspired this segment on Best of the Bluegrass, and you may see a memory you shared! Don't miss it on television or online: lex18.com/community/best-of-the-bluegrass.
School is back, and we ran the numbers. Like... all of them. 📊 From enrollment and academics to opportunities that help students grow as learners and leaders, this feature shares a few of the numbers behind the Model experience. A special thank you to Grant W. and Eva T. (Grade 4) for starring in this year's Back to School at Model Lab: By the Numbers feature on LEX18!
And one more number for you: 120. That's how many years of Model history there are to explore—including one story involving a classroom pet alligator! Want the full story? Tune in to Best of the Bluegrass with Jennifer Palumbo on LEX18 this Saturday, September 12, at 7:00 p.m. featuring Model students Jay and Saylor!
As the Model Lab Class of 2026 settles into a new school year and new adventures beyond graduation, we're looking back at the achievements that helped launch their next chapter. We wish the Model Lab Class of 2026 a successful fall semester and college career!
The Class of 2026 achieved:
558 Dual Credit Hours
180 Advanced Placement Exams Passed
704 College Credits Earned through AP
91% Earned a qualifying AP score during their high school career
Swipe through to recognize members of the Class of 2026 who earned:
Summa Cum Laude honors
Magna Cum Laude honors
AP® Capstone Diplomas
AP® Seminar & Research Certificates
We're proud of all they accomplished during their time at Model and look forward to seeing what they achieve next!
Fall Ball is just around the corner, and we are excited to celebrate with students on Saturday, September 12. This year, Model has implemented a new online ticket purchasing process for school dances. Rather than purchasing tickets with cash in advance or at the door, all Fall Ball tickets must be purchased electronically through the School Store via Infinite Campus Student Portal. As part of this new process, students will also complete and digitally sign their dance contract during ticket purchase. Information about this requirement is included in the linked instructions.
High school families and students can read the full notification sent to their emails.
Enjoy the long weekend, Model students! There is no school for students and offices are closed on Friday, September 4, and Monday, September 7. We will return for a regularly scheduled school day on Tuesday, September 8.
We are so appreciative of the Model Parent Organization for many reasons. One of those reasons is the annual schoolwide pizza party to kick off each school year. 🤍🍕 Thank you, MPO, for everything you do for our students, faculty, staff, and community! If you're a Model parent or family member, get involved with or support MPO! Find more information at model.eku.edu/mpo, and check out their upcoming event ➡️ MPO Patriot Chase 5K.
Also, a big shout-out to the Yearbook Staff for photographing the MPO Pizza Party as their first event of the 2026-27 school year and sharing these photos with us! 🥳🤩 See more photos on our Facebook.
We loved celebrating the start of this milestone year with the Class of 2027 and their families at the annual Senior Breakfast. We look forward to celebrating the entire school year with this senior class! 🎉 See more photos on our Facebook at this link.
ICYMI: See photos from the first-day fun and first few days of classes on our Facebook ➡️ first-day fun to classroom learning photos.
See the Secondary Tutoring Schedule here.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: facebook.com/ekumodel | instagram.com/ekumodel.
Check out our latest videos on either page! (Facebook links provided below)
🚨 Check out the First Day of School reminders sent to Model families' emails this afternoon and linked here.
🚨 Fall 2026 Dual Credit classes begin Monday, August 24!
Model students enrolled in EKU Dual Credit courses will soon be stepping into college classrooms and continuing their journey toward future success. Before classes begin, take a look at our Dual Credit Checklist for Success to make sure you're prepared for day one. Through our partnership with EKU, students can earn college credit, challenge themselves academically, and save time and money on their path to a degree.
Here's to a strong start and a successful semester ahead!
For questions or assistance, contact the Model Counseling Office at ModelCounseling@eku.edu.
The Patriot Chase 5K returns to White Hall Park on September 13, and we want YOU there! Now hosted by and benefiting the Model Parent Organization, Inc., this is a family-friendly event created for the entire Model community. Gather your teammates, friends, family members, or coworkers and enjoy a beautiful evening on one of Richmond's most scenic routes while supporting Model Lab students.
Walkers welcome
Families welcome
Strollers welcome
Dogs welcome
Officially timed race
Early registration is just $25 through August 31 ($30 after), and t-shirts and race photos are included.
To register and for more info model.eku.edu/patriot-chase.
You may have already spotted a few new faces at Meet the Teacher, but before the school year officially begins, we’d like to formally introduce the newest members of the Model Family!
Please join us in giving a warm welcome to our new faculty and staff for the 2026-2027 school year. Each brings unique talents, valuable experience, and a shared commitment to excellence. We’re excited to have them on our team and can’t wait to see the positive impact they’ll make on our students and school community.
We loved welcoming students and families to campus for Meet the Teacher, our New Family Picnic, and orientation sessions. It was exciting to see classrooms filled with eager learners, families making new connections, and our school community coming together as we prepare for another incredible year.
As you get ready for the new school year, be sure to visit model.eku.edu/back-to-school for important dates, details, and information, among other helpful resources.
BACK TO SCHOOL 2026-2027: We can't wait to see our students and their families this week starting with Meet the Teacher on Wednesday, August 19.
Also, visit our website for a one-stop-shop of back-to-school information at model.eku.edu/back-to-school.
Gear Up for a Great Year, Patriots! Heading back to school means it’s time for fresh Model gear! Preview our brand-new arrival lineup—including tees, sweatshirts, backpacks, and more. Whether you're shopping for the first week of school or looking for the perfect Patriot gift, we’ve got you covered. Click here to check out the Back-to-School Sale catalog today!
The Patriot Shoppe is available through Infinite Campus Parent Portal, in-store, and on our website at model.eku.edu/patriot-shoppe.
The Patriot Shoppe will be open on Wednesday, August 19, during Meet the Teacher and New Family Welcome Picnic. In-store purchases can be made using cash, check, and/or credit/debit card.
