1. Accelerated Middle School
Information Night
December 12, 2016

2. AMS Staff – here tonight
David Loutzenheiser, Principal
Amanda Cook, Lead Teacher
Christine Taylor, Admin Assistant

3. History of AMS We are currently in our 5th year.
We have grown from 36 first year to 165 this year.
We do not have official boundaries – open to anyone.
We are a School of Choice.

4. Vision Statement
AMS offers middle school students the opportunity to become
academically accomplished, confident and well-rounded individuals by…
Participating in an accelerated, rigorous curriculum focused on developing foundational knowledge and analytical reasoning skills.
Cultivating a culture of excellence through the development and implementation of personalized learning plans that set students on the right path through high school to attain entrance into the University of their choice.
Developing conscientious, respectful and accomplished young men and women through leadership experiences within and outside of the school community.

5. Mission Goal
We will provide an individualized education for our students based upon placement exams where students are exposed to accelerated curriculum in
Mathematics
Foreign Language
Science
Pre – AP English
Pre – AP Social Studies
STEM Electives

6. Mathematics Curriculum – Refer to Handout
Placement determined by exams
Lowest level is Pre - Algebra
In high school classes
Taught by AP/Honors teachers
Big Ideas Curriculum

7. Science Curriculum Preparing for AP Biology as a Freshman
6th grade taught by Honors Chem or Bio teacher
7th grade taught by Biotechnology teacher
8th grade taught by AP Biology teacher
Hands on – in the labs often
Science Fair – resources of a high school
Science Camp

8. Foreign Language Curriculum
Two Choices – Spanish or Mandarin Chinese
Placed at their level
Year long high school courses
Dual Credit for those who reach Honors 3

9. Pre AP Curriculum English Preparing for Honors English 9
Social Studies
Preparing for AP World History

10. Elective Wheel – refer to Handout
Change electives every quarter
Engineering every year
Speech and debate every year
Java
Digital Photography
Multimedia and Film
Art
Academic Prep (6th only)

11. Fine Arts and PE 7th period – 2:20 to 3:15
Orchestra, Band, Choir – M, W, F
PE – T, Th

12. Security Supervised at all times Security guards radio movement
Released before the bells
Not mixed with High School population
AMS bathrooms
Escort for signed out students

13. Dress Code Green or white collared shirt
Khaki bottoms – pants, skirts, shorts
Shorts and skirts must come to the fingertips
Friday – Spirit shirts and denim
Target.com or JC Penney’s
PE Uniform – Basha PE shirt/black shorts

14. Starting the Day
Drop-off in the morning – 7:00 to 7:25 – See Map location East Side
Meeting in cafeteria
Collect and go to 1st period together – Security
Leave instruments in H114, H115, H116

15. Classes 1st through 5th period Language and Core classes
Lunch after 5th period
6th period – Elective wheel
7th period – Fine Art M W F, PE T Th

16. Lunch Between 5th and 6th periods Snack during AM classes 43 minutes
Supervised by security – Amy
Choices similar to high school
Lunch accounts – may use myschoolbucks.com

17. Ending the Day 3:15 release bell
Pickup – see map – loop off of Riggs Road
Buses – pickup in front of Admin Building
Late pickup – students go to public library as a group

18. Placement Testing
All students must apply for testing – packet on our website starting Dec 16 – Start accepting packets on Jan 9.
Three Saturdays for testing:
January 14
February 4
February 11
Math, Reading/Writing, OLSAT
Results and placement before Spring Break

19. Placement Testing
We want to make sure that students are in a situation to succeed.
All students take all three tests
May only test once
Limited space in the program
75 new 6th graders
15 new 7th graders

20. Common Questions Is transportation provided?
Yes, we have three routes including one route north of the 202.
Do you have sports and clubs?
We offer after school clubs but we
do not have junior high sports.

21. Common Questions What is the homework load?
Really depends on the student.
To start the year its going to take longer as the students learn to manage.
1.5 hours per night
Block days help with load

22. Common Questions
How do you differ from other programs in the district?
You can’t go wrong with any of the choices offered by our district.
Please contact those schools and ask about their programs.

23. Common Questions Are tours/shadowing available?
To get a tour of AMS, please contact Christine Taylor at or
Tours scheduled between 1:30 and 2:30 and are given by Amanda Cook
Shadowing can be scheduled after
acceptance through Christine Taylor.

24. Thank You
The number one influence on the success of a child's education are parents.
Please stay if you have individual questions.