The University of Texas at Tyler’s STEM-focused K-12 charter school, formerly known as Innovation Academy, has a new name — University Academy.

“Our new name, University Academy, indicates we are the beneficiary of the leading-edge pedagogical research from UT Tyler’s College of Education and Psychology,” said Dr. Jo Ann Simmons, University Academy superintendent. “The name is also appropriate because our students will graduate with an average of 30 hours of college credit from a UT institution, giving them a head start as they continue on to higher ed.”

Operated by the UT Tyler College of Education and Psychology, University Academy enrolls more than 750 students on campuses in Palestine, Longview and Tyler. The charter school, founded in 2012, will graduate its first class this spring.

“The University Academy is an integral part of our college,” said Dr. Ross Sherman, dean of the UT Tyler College of Education and Psychology. “Our teacher education students benefit tremendously from this unique teaching laboratory. The University Academy students also benefit from this synergistic relationship.”