Program Includes a Week in Washington, D.C.

ARLINGTON, VA—Michigan high school sophomores and juniors are being invited to apply for full scholarships to participate in the Bill of Rights Institute’s Constitutional Academy, a six-week summer distance learning program that culminates with a week in Washington, D.C. and earns them three hours of college credit, the Arlington, VA-based Institute announced today. The scholarships are being funded by the Rodney Fund, Southfield, MI.

The Constitutional Academy program challenges and enriches students as they read and study works written by and about the leading minds of the American Founding era.  Participating students discuss the ideals of the American Founding along with contemporary issues in weekly online reading and discussions with university scholars and other students from across the country.

Five Michigan students will receive full scholarships to participate in the program and travel to the nation’s capitol where they will, over the course of one week, work with historical documents at the National Archives and visit landmark sites including George Washington’s Mount Vernon and Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello.

Upon successful completion of the program and all course requirements, students will earn three free college credits from Ashland University.

To apply, students must be a junior or senior for the 2010-2011 school year, meet the eligibility requirements listed on the program website (www.ConstAcademy.org/ApplyNow), and submit a teacher recommendation. Applications must be received by April 15, 2010. Winners will be announced April 30, 2010.