LEXINGTON, Ky. — Thirty-seven ambitious middle schoolers from across Fayette County Public Schools spent the week of June 15 exploring the Commonwealth's diverse higher education landscape, visiting six campuses ranging from small liberal arts colleges to community and technical schools in a three-day college tour.

The joint expedition brought together students from Bryan Station, Crawford, Edythe J. Hayes, and Lexington middle schools to expose them to different institutional types and career paths available within their home state. Over three days, the group explored campuses including Morehead State University, Kentucky State University, Georgetown College, Midway University, Northern Kentucky University, and Gateway Community & Technical College.

"They did an amazing job. They were really paying attention and absorbing what they learned," said Madeline Potter, the Youth Services Center coordinator at Hayes.

This was not a typical campus tour. Students participated in daily quizzes testing their knowledge of each school, explored different majors and specialized programs, toured student centers and dining halls, and learned about the cost of college attendance. Staff coordinators noted how the students asked sharp questions and genuinely engaged with campus tour guides, demonstrating serious interest in their future educational options.

The immersion strategy proved effective. Several students were so impressed by what they experienced that they announced definitive plans to apply to their favorite campuses once they become eligible. "By introducing these concepts in middle school, FCPS continues to bridge the gap between early education and future career readiness," according to the district's announcement.