IB Scholars Academy Your Home at Miami Beach Senior High Dr. Rosann Sidener Principal Mr. David Guthrie Lead Teacher, Scholars Academy Mr. Carlos Rodriguez IB Coordinator

MBSH Since 2007 Raised school performance grade 104 points Increased AP participation by more than 50% from 625 to 1364 students Accepted as an IB World School Applied for Federal Magnet Assistance Program Grant Implemented AVID Completed construction of a new facility Redesigned into three schools-within-a-school

MIAMI BEACH SENIOR HIGH IS A COMPREHENSIVE, PUBLIC SCHOOL THAT SERVES ALMOST 2800 STUDENTS Historically, several academies have provided specialized instruction to smaller groups of students: Scholars Academy Academy of Hospitality and Tourism Academy of Information Technology Research shows that students perform better in smaller learning communities. The existing academies have been extremely popular institutions at Beach High. In , new academies were established within three “schools within our school.”

THE NEW BEACH HIGH: SCHOOLS WITHIN A SCHOOL Other Programs AVID Early Childhood Education Program Naval JROTC Program Academy of Marine and Environmental Science IB Scholars Academy School of Liberal Arts Academy of Visual and Performing Arts Academy of Communication and Digital Media School of Creative Arts Academy of Hospitality and Tourism Academy of Information Technology School of Technical Arts

All youth ready for college, careers, and active civic participation. Engaged Community and Youth Integrated System of High Standards, Curriculum, Instruction, Assessments, and Support Accountable Leaders Empowered Educators Personalized Learning Environments Academic Engagement of All Students BENEFITS TO AN “ALL ACADEMY MODEL” AT MIAMI BEACH SENIOR HIGH

Feedback on Academic Rigor from Youth Truth Advisory Survey  Most of my teachers apply themselves with an enthusiasm about their subject which is contagious, and this really helps me as a student to gain interest and do well in the subject they teach.”  “In my school they provide us with AP classes which are college level courses which prepares me for college. And because of this I feel like I'm already a college student and not in high school.”  “Having more challenging classes will help me challenge myself in the future and help me understand what I'm against in a career.”

IS THE SCHOLARS ACADEMY RIGHT FOR YOU? Students begin college level, Advanced Placement (AP) coursework in grade 9 with options increasing each year. Students may apply for the IB Diploma Program for grades , or continue with AP and advanced classes. Students must maintain an “unweighted” GPA of 3.0 in the academic core courses of Mathematics, Science, Language Arts and Social Studies.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES AND EXAMS The core curriculum of the Scholars Academy revolves around Honors and Advanced Placement courses and exams. AP courses are high school classes that can count for introductory college coursework when students pass an AP exam. AP exams are scored on a scale of 1-5 by The College Board. Scores of 3 or higher are considered passing, but many universities require scores of 4 or 5 to earn college credit. AP syllabi must be approved by The College Board, ensuring that AP courses are taught at the same high level nationwide.

Scholars Academy students take their first Advanced Placement course in grade 9, and must enroll in a minimum of two AP courses in grades 11 and 12.

Miami Beach Senior High has increased access to its Advanced Placement curriculum, while maintaining a pass rate above the Miami-Dade County Public Schools average.

Students may apply for the IB Diploma Program at the end of the sophomore year. The IB Diploma is based on taking a series of advanced classes in 6 subject areas with both internal and external tests and assessments. Some classes are two years in length. Students also complete requirements by writing an extended essay, doing community service projects, and completing TOK class. The program highlights development of a well-rounded individual with an “international minded” outlook. The IB Diploma curriculum is highly respected and honored by universities throughout the world. Additional information is available at

SCHOLARS ACADEMY students perform at the top of their class at Miami Beach Senior High, and are competitive nationally for college recruitment

Average SAT Scores: MBSH and Scholars Academy

Scholars Academy graduates have been accepted at: Yale, U Penn, Harvard, USC, Emory, U Chicago, Princeton, Georgetown, Dartmouth, Cornell, Duke, MIT, Purdue, Beloit, Fordham, Georgia Tech, Swarthmore, Wisconsin, New College, U Florida, Smith, NYU, Santa Clara, Tulane, Hampshire, Bucknell, Boston College, Lehigh, Hampton, FSU, Johns Hopkins, Wash U, U Miami, U Michigan, USF, Loyola NO, Drexel, Hartford, St. John’s, Suffolk, U Texas, George Washington, Barry, MDC Honors College, Pratt Institute, NC State, Bowling Green State, Boston University

SCHOLARS ACADEMY ADMISSIONS AND RETENTION: The Scholars Academy has grown to accept approximately incoming 9 th grade students. Once students matriculate into the program, they are required to maintain an unweighted GPA of 3.0 in the academic core courses of Mathematics, Science, Language Arts and Social Studies. Students whose GPAs fall below the minimum standards are placed on Academic Probation, and are expected to meet minimum standards by the end of one year or exit the program. A small number of students exit each year because of family moves or poor academic performance, opening up spaces for determined sophomores and juniors.

How can I get an application? Apply online at the school website at: and click on the academies banner and follow the links to IB Scholars. If you attend private school please mail your transcripts from 6th-8th grades to: Miami Beach Senior High Scholars Academy Attn: David Guthrie 2231 Prairie Avenue Miami Beach, FL 33139