What is the cost of KRFS gap year program?

The KRFS gap year program is tuition-free. As explained best by the inspiring institution Deep Springs College, we “treat students not as consumers but as creators of their education and as stewards of a joint intellectual project.” Since our current project based academic/experiential learning modules are not for school credit, we align with the Americorp spirit of an educational award at completion of the year. Students who complete the program are given an eight thousand dollar award towards future endeavors. Unlike Americorp, the money goes to the student to decide how to use it toward their education rather than restricted to payment to an educational institution for the student. Students are allotted an additional two thousand dollars for personal spending on necessities during the year that can also be applied to travel/experiences during their Winter Break. The program is designed to be all inclusive with housing, meals, transportation, and educational materials and supplies.

Is the program a full year?

KRFS runs Summer/Fall session June 1st through November 30th, then takes Winter break December 1 through February 14th, and then runs Spring/Summer session from February 15th through June 1. Students can use their Winter break to travel, visit family, finish college visits and applications, pursue off-campus internships, etc. Students may continue to reside on campus during Winter break if they so choose.

How do student housing and meals work?

For the upcoming 2024-2025 year, 4 male students will share a 2br/2ba house with kitchen, living room, and sunroom on the Boonesboro Homestead campus. Attached to the student residence is a faculty apartment. A faculty member will be present and on call each night. In 2025-2026, a 4 female student house will be available. KRFS’ goal is an annual co-ed class size of 16 students that live and rotate between the Boonesboro Homestead campus and the Kentucky River Farm campus, which are twenty minutes apart. Students and faculty/staff participate in providing KRFS with three meals each day. Students may take items from meals for snack.

How does student transportation work?

KRFS coordinates transportation for students in KRFS vans. In the upcoming 2024-2025 year, given the small inaugural residential class size of 4, transportation for students to spend social time off campus will be arranged. We believe that the small class size does not yet provide enough social engagement and therefore will work to facilitate some independent off campus time for students to stay socially connected. Students who drive may also use their private cars to go to classes at the local community college.

What is the limited internet access agreement?

We believe that the time and mental/emotional space occupied by much of adolescent phone and internet usage can be valuably applied to other areas of enrichment while also recognizing that meaningful usage of the internet and phones as tools is vital. We work together with KRFS students to form usage agreements of smartphones and internet to support continued development of healthy, introspective, and meaningful usage of these powerful tools.

Do students earn college credit?

Currently KRSF coursework does not earn college credit but we will work with students to facilitate a schedule that can allow for them to take courses at the local community college in person or online.

If planning to attend college should the student apply in senior year of high school or apply during KRFS gap year?

Traditional advice for gap year students is to apply to college during their senior year and then ask the college/university for a year deferral. That means they retain your spot for the following year. The often cited drawback to waiting to apply during the gap year is that the student will not have the support of a guidance counselor and that perhaps top tier institutions might be less interested in students who are planning on taking a gap year. We find the latter hard to believe, but don’t have the breadth of experience yet to verify one way or another on this. As for guidance counselors, the faculty at KRFS are committed to being college guidance counselors and assisting students in the process throughout Fall and Winter. This includes exploration of diverse college experiences, finding particular majors of interest, and assisting with the process of applying. College applications (not early decision) are mostly due in early January and KRFS’ 10 week Winter Break starts Dec 1.

How is KRFS funded?

KRFS faculty, student financial awards, and operations are primarily funded by revenue from farm production and the Boonesboro Homestead Cafe revenue. As part of student financial literacy studies, all KRFS revenue and finances are transparent to students and discussed as part of student governance. Additionally, philanthropic contributions have and will continue to further endow KRFS. KRFS is in the process of establishing its 501c3 status.