Henry Hurley, an incoming junior at Danville High School, has been selected to attend the prestigious Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky.

Gatton Academy is located on Western Kentucky University’s campus in Bowling Green. The academy has selected 101 total students across the state for the Class of 2024. Through the academy, students recognized as exceptional in the fields of math and science are able to take college classes alongside other Gatton Academy students as well as WKU undergraduate students, participate in research projects and even have opportunities to study abroad.

Students are selected based on their grade point averages, standardized test scores, essay question responses, interviews, extracurricular participation and recommendations.

The opportunity for Hurley to attend reflects the Danville Independent School District’s strength and accomplishments.

“It’s going to be fun, and I’m excited for all the new opportunities,“ Hurley said.

Henry’s father, Jonas Hurley, said he’s “terribly excited” his son was selected. He’s looking forward to Henry being able to learn more independence, have greater autonomy and take classes not always offered at a traditional high school.

“It’s a great opportunity,” he said.

“It’s all his doing,” his mother, Julie Hurley said. “He wanted to go, and he applied, and we support him all the way.”

She is excited for Henry, and she mentioned he’s interested in remaining involved in his local community in Danville even while he’s learning at the academy. He still wants to be involved in activities like his local Boy Scouts troop and wants to remain on the DHS Academic Team, she said.

“He’s always enjoyed science and math, and he’s always wanted to be an engineer,” she said.

However, she said he wants to take a variety of classes, including archaeology.

“He’s really keeping an open mind,” she said. “He just loves to learn.”