Today’s teenagers have been stereotyped as adventurous and harebrained individuals.  They are generally fond of experimenting with things until they get in touch with drugs, sex, guns, alcohol among others. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention figures, 16,000 young adults die each year from unintentional injuries and accidents.  The most common justification for teenagers’ care-free attitude is that their brains just aren’t developed enough to know better. However, recent research shows that in some cases the fact is just the opposite, the brain matures not too slowly but perhaps, too quickly.

According to a psychiatrist, an adolescent who engages in more dangerous activities have white-matter pathways that seem to be more mature than those of risk-averse youths.  White-matter is the brain’s wiring, the neutral pathways that connect the various gray-matter regions of the cerebrum that are independent of one another.  Having a mature white-matter is necessary because it allows faster brain processing speed.  Nerve impulses also travel faster in mature white-matter. Experiments also reveal that the more mature the look of the brain, the more adventurous the teenager tended to be.
Another possible explanation is that some teenagers whose brains develop more rapidly than others become uncomfortable and a little confused owing to the gap between their biological capabilities and the social norms they must follow as kids. Precocious development of these neural tracts may make some adolescents more susceptible to engage in behaviors that society considers too adult in nature for their chronological age. It is also a common notion that teens make dumb decisions because their brains are immature. In other words, having a more mature brain may actually motivate some teens to try out new and potentially harmful experiences.
For now, these theories are mere speculation, and the researchers concede that the interaction of white and gray matter is so complex that hard conclusions remain elusive. The results of the study are relatively bare and by no means conclusive. The human brain is so intricate in nature, and one has to consider the fact that there are other factors that come into play such as the environment and certain genetic predispositions that are equally complex to study.

Every year, many parents scout for the most suitable high school where their teens can enroll. Amongst the many educational programs offered nowadays, what comprises a good curriculum? How would you know what academy stands out from the crowd? Does Royal Gorge Academy in Colorado pass these many criteria?

First off, a good academy should offer a full course curriculum in all academic core subjects. It is much better if they have a number of electives as well. Why? Not only will you get value of the tuition fee you pay for your child, the academy will also be able to render students with a well rounded education. Such is the case with Royal Gorge’s program of studies. In fact, their curriculum is aligned with the Colorado Model Content Standards, as mandated by the “No Child Left Behind” federal legislation of 2001. So how’s that for a start?

Royal Gorge Academy also offers advanced placement classes that allow students to obtain dual college credit for selected coursework while obtaining their high school diploma. The Switched On Schoolhouse computer program is the defined programs of study for Royal Gorge Academy . The Switched On Schoolhouse program for instruction and assessment supports and aligns with the desired results for student learning required by the State of Colorado.

If school facilities are one of your major concerns, then you will be more than happy to know that their students enjoy a gorgeous campus that houses up-to-date, modern facilities, including comfortable dormitories, a spacious dining area, fully-equipped classrooms, a full gymnasium with weight and exercise rooms, an indoor heated swimming pool, tennis courts, a soccer field, and a performing arts auditorium.

Of course, last but definitely not the least, if you believe that students should thrive in a structured environment where emphasis on academic excellence, personal responsibility, exemplary moral values such as respect for self and others, then there’s no doubt that Royal Gorge Academy is the school of your choice. Armed with their effective Character Development Program known as Positive Peer Culture, you can expect your child to be development their full potential.

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