Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts

Last updated

Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts
ASMSA Color Logo.png
Great Seal of ASMSA
Address
Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts
200 Whittington Avenue

Ouachita Mountains

Hot Springs
,
Garland County
,
Arkansas
71901

United States
Coordinates 34°31′05″N93°03′29″W / 34.51807°N 93.05798°W / 34.51807; -93.05798
Information
School type Public Residential High School
Established1991(33 years ago) (1991)
Founder William Jefferson Clinton [1]
Oversight University of Arkansas
CEEB code 041148
DeanRheo Morris, Stuart Flynn [2]
DirectorCorey Alderdice
Grades10th-12th
Gender Co-educational
Age range14-18
Enrollment250
Education systemSemester
Language Multilingual
Hours in school day6 or 7.5 [1]
Color(s)Hunter green and navy blue
  
Athletics conferenceSLAMT
MascotCyborg Dolphin
AccreditationCognia
National ranking13th [3]
PublicationTangents
School fees$850 max per year [4]
TuitionFree
Graduates (2017-2018)100%
AffiliationNCSSSMST
Website www.asmsa.org
Original Residential Building, currently under renovations. Parts of the building are still used for faculty offices. ASMSA 001.jpg
Original Residential Building, currently under renovations. Parts of the building are still used for faculty offices.

The Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts (ASMSA) is a public residential high school located in Hot Springs, Arkansas that serves sophomores, juniors, and seniors. It is a part of the University of Arkansas administrative system and a member of the National Consortium of Secondary STEM Schools. [5] The school was originally known as The Arkansas School for Mathematics and Sciences (abbreviated ASMS). The school is accredited by AdvancED. [6]

Contents

School description

Academically, the school is modeled after the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. Studies focus on mathematics, computer science, science, and humanities. All courses are taught at the Honors level or above. ASMSA offers approximately 50 courses for university credit through a partnership with the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith and other advanced high school courses for elective credit. ASMSA graduates finish their experience having earned an average of 50 college credit hours. ASMSA has an arts program, which was added in 2004 by the state legislature. Though not yet at the depth of the school's STEM-based programs, investment has been made in recent years to enhance the studio and digital arts experiences. Since 2015, the school has added three full-time faculty members in studio art and music to achieve this goal.

The school was created in 1991 [7] with backing from then-Governor Bill Clinton. The charter class enrolled as juniors in 1993 and graduated in 1995.

Prospective students apply during the spring of their sophomore or freshman year and submit application forms, grade transcripts, SAT or ACT results, and three letters of recommendation. Students can enter via normal admissions as a junior or enter through early admissions as a sophomore. Additionally, some students can repeat their junior year of high school at ASMSA if they choose to apply their current junior year, called Super Juniors.

Most of the campus of the school itself is located in the former St. Joseph's Catholic Hospital in the William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Park in the historic district of Hot Springs, and it is surrounded on three sides by the Hot Springs National Park. In 2021, the attached chapel underwent a $5.5 million renovation to transform the space into residential halls, offices for professional mental health staff, and a student union. The space was named Helen Selig Hall after the 1994 Hot Springs mayor who was one of the earliest and most vocal proponents to bring ASMSA to Hot Springs. [8]

All faculty have at least a master's degree in their field, and 48% have a Ph.D. or other terminal degree in their field. [9] Notable professors at the school have included Don Baker, who was a Foreign Service Officer for the United States Department of State; Mrs. Melanie Nichols, who has served on several AP committees and has been active in the math education community, was a mathematics teacher at the school before becoming Dean of Academic Affairs in 2006; Brian Monson, who has previously taught at the University of Tulsa and the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics, is the Associate Dean for STEM and teaches Physics for Scientists and Engineers 1 and 2 and Folk Music and Acoustics, and plays the harmonica and the mandolin; and Charlie Cole Chaffin, who was a chemistry teacher at the school, was a member of the Arkansas State Senate.

Several former and current teachers at the school also instruct during the summer at the Arkansas Governor's School. The current Director of the school is Corey Alderdice. [10]

A new building called the Creativity and Innovation Complex was constructed and added to the campus in 2019. The first floor will be named the Dan Fredinburg Technology Center in memory of ASMSA Class of 1999 alumnus Dan Fredinburg. [11]

Capstone

ASMSA students have many projects and activities that fill their time. One of the school's trademarks is Capstone (formerly called FIRM), a longitudinal research project which culminates in the school's participation in the Intel Science and Engineering Fair, Humanities Research Symposium, Music Capstone, or Arts Capstone, depending on the project. Stem Students select a research topic at the start of their spring semester as a junior and will continue to research this project for the next fourteen months through a Fundamentals in Research Methods class. This project ends during Science Fair week, which is generally in late February. ASMSA competes as its own region in the state competition because of the number of projects it produces every year—often a hundred or more. Projects sometimes culminate with substantial monetary awards, governmental recognition, and publication in local, statewide, regional, and nationwide news outlets. Humanities students choose a project fall semester and present it at the symposium in May of their junior year. [12]

Student life

New Student Life Center built in 2012. This is currently the residence for ASMSA students Student Life Center.JPG
New Student Life Center built in 2012. This is currently the residence for ASMSA students

There are a plethora of clubs, associations, and groups available for students. The cultural awareness ADAPT Club shares and discusses different heritages, often with cultural foods, games, movies, stories, and music for the members as well as the general student body to enjoy, accept, and appreciate. [12] There is also the SGA (Student Government Association) for those students exhibiting leadership in the school environment and policy. Other clubs, associations, and groups include the Dolphin Dance Team, Model UN, Beta, Delta, National Honor Society, FBLA, Youth Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Science, Technology, Medicine, Music, and Liberal Arts (NAASTMML), SLAMT Sports Alliance, Community Leaders (CLs), Student Ambassadors, Admissions Delegates and Peer Mentors.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science</span> Residential school in Texas, United States

The Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science (TAMS) is a two-year residential early entrance college program serving approximately 375 high school juniors and seniors at the University of North Texas. Students are admitted from every region of the state through a selective admissions process. TAMS is a member of the National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science and Technology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bronx High School of Science</span> Specialized high school in New York City

The Bronx High School of Science is a public specialized high school in The Bronx in New York City. It is operated by the New York City Department of Education. Admission to Bronx Science involves passing the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy</span> Public residential magnet school in Aurora, Illinois, United States

The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, or IMSA, is a three-year residential public secondary education institution in Aurora, Illinois, United States, with an enrollment of approximately 650 students.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities</span> Public secondary school in Muncie, Indiana, United States

The Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities is a nationally ranked public high school located on the campus of Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. The Academy offers both residential and non-residential (commuter) options for juniors and seniors. As of the 2022-2023 academic year, a non-residential only pilot program for high school sophomores has been added, though it remains to be seen if it will persist. Admission is open to high ability, gifted, and talented high school students living anywhere in Indiana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics</span> Public boarding school in Durham, North Carolina, United States

The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) is a two-year, public residential high school with two physical campuses located in Durham, North Carolina and Morganton, North Carolina that focuses on the intensive study of science, mathematics and technology. It accepts rising juniors from across North Carolina and enrolls them through senior year. Although NCSSM is a public school, enrollment is extremely selective, and applicants undergo a competitive review process for admission. NCSSM is a founding member of the National Consortium of Secondary Stem Schools (NCSSS) and a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts</span> Public school in Louisiana, United States

The Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA) is a public residential high school located in Natchitoches, Louisiana, US on the campus of Northwestern State University (NSU). It is a member of the National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science and Technology (NCSSSMST). In 2016, Niche ranked LSMSA the 9th best public high school nationwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alabama School of Mathematics and Science</span> Residential secondary school in Mobile, Alabama, United States

The Alabama School of Mathematics and Science (ASMS) is a public residential high school in the Midtown neighborhood of Mobile, Alabama. ASMS is a member of the National Consortium of Secondary STEM Schools (NCSSS). It graduated its first class in 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science</span> Residential public high school in Columbus, Mississippi, United States

The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (MSMS) is Mississippi's only public residential high school for academically gifted students and is located in Columbus, Mississippi, United States, on the campus of the Mississippi University for Women. A member of the National Consortium for Secondary STEM Schools, it is a statewide public magnet school.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics</span> Public boarding school in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States

The Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics (OSSM) is a two-year, public residential high school located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Established by the Oklahoma state legislature in 1983, the school was designed to educate academically gifted high school juniors and seniors in advanced mathematics and science. OSSM opened doors to its inaugural class in 1990. It is a member of the National Consortium of Secondary STEM Schools (NCSSS).

Jonesboro High School is a public high school for students in grades 10 through 12 located in Jonesboro, Arkansas, United States. It is one of eight public high schools in Craighead County, and is the sole high school of the Jonesboro Public Schools.

The Oxbow School is a private single semester arts school for high school sophomores, juniors, seniors, and gap year students located in Napa, California, sitting near an oxbow of the Napa River. High school and gap year students can choose to attend in either the fall or spring semester with visual arts and academic focus. Oxbow also offers a 6-week Summer Art Institute for the same grade levels.

Biotechnology High School (BTHS), or commonly referred to as Biotech, is a four-year comprehensive vocational public high school serving students in ninth through twelfth grades in Freehold Township, Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, as part of the Monmouth County Vocational School District (MCVSD). Its curriculum includes a science program, consisting of eight different science classes spread over four years, designed to prepare students to pursue further education in biotechnology and the natural sciences. Emphasis is placed on research, laboratory skills, critical thinking, problem solving, technology, and teamwork. Over 90% of the 2009 graduates selected college majors in the life sciences. The school has been accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools since 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Institute of Science Education and Research</span> Higher education institution in Bhubaneswar, India

The National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) is an autonomous research institute in Jatani, Odisha, India, aided by Department of Atomic Energy. The institute is affiliated by Homi Bhabha National Institute. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh laid the foundation stone on August 28, 2006. Government of India earmarked an initial outlay of ₹823.19 crore (US$99 million) during the first seven years of the project, starting in September 2007. It was ranked second in the country by the Nature Index 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics</span> Public high school in South Carolina

The South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics is a public, boarding high school for students in grades 11 and 12, located in Hartsville, South Carolina. The school concentrates on science and mathematics, but offers the full spectrum of the humanities as well.

The Morris County School of Technology is a vocational magnet public high school located in Denville Township, in Morris County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, operating as part of the Morris County Vocational School District. This school prepares high school students for future careers, through its academy programs, each focusing on a particular trade as well as an advanced college preparatory program. Students apply to one of the 13 different academies in a process that starts the 8th grade year of local students. The highly competitive process begins with a general admissions test and is followed by group interviews on an academy basis. The school has an overall acceptance rate of 30%.

The Governor's School of Texas, formerly the Texas Honors Leadership Program (THLP), is a summer program for academically talented high school students from Texas, who have completed their sophomore or junior years. The program is a member of the National Conference of Governor's Schools. 100 students are selected each year and scholars, who are nominated by their senior counselors, are invited to serve as junior counselors for the following year. Held at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, the School is an intensive three-week residential program. The program's curriculum is designed to develop skills in creativity, problem-solving, leadership, negotiation and conflict resolution, higher-level thinking, research and study skills and ethical decision-making. As an incentive to foster creativity, the program includes no grades or academic credit.

The Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science (KAMS) is a two-year, residential, early-entrance-to-college program for U.S. high school juniors and seniors who are academically talented in the areas of mathematics and science. Located on the Fort Hays State University campus in Hays, Kansas, students concurrently complete their last two years of high school, while earning over 60 college credits.

TERRA Environmental Research Institute is a secondary school in Miami, Florida, United States that opened in 2009. It is a LEED certified school.

Junior colleges (JC) are pre-university institutions in Singapore that offer two-year pre-university courses that leads to either the Singapore-Cambridge GCE Advanced Level or the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Admission to Junior college is based on the aggregate raw score of 20 points or less in O-Level "L1R5" in the examination. Lower aggregate is considered better, i e. 7 aggregate score is better than aggregate score 10. Bonus points are also deducted from this proscore to come up with the final score for the admission.

Russellville High School is a comprehensive public high school established in 1893 serving the community of Russellville, Arkansas, United States. Located in Pope County and within the Russellville micropolitan area, Russellville High School is the sole high school managed by the Russellville School District and serves students in grades ten through twelve and its main feeder schools are Russellville Junior High School and Russellville Middle School.

References

  1. 1 2 "FAQs – Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts". November 7, 2018.
  2. ↑ Sewell, Donnie (July 9, 2019). "Flynn starts term as new dean of academic affairs".
  3. ↑ "2013 America's Best High Schools". newsweek.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2019.
  4. ↑ "Admissions – Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts". November 8, 2018.
  5. ↑ "Membership List – NCSSS" . Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  6. ↑ Institution Summary, AdvancED, Retrieved July 11, 2012
  7. ↑ http://www.asmsa.org/aboutASMSA_09.html%5B%5D
  8. ↑ Sewell, Donnie (May 26, 2022). "Renovated residential complex to be named Selig Hall". Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  9. ↑ http://www.asmsa.org/aboutASMSA_09.html,About%5B%5D ASMSA
  10. ↑ "From the Director – Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts". November 4, 2018.
  11. ↑ "ASMSA holds groundbreaking ceremony for new academic building". www.asmsa.org. August 25, 2017. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  12. 1 2 "FAQ". asmsa.org. Archived from the original on July 25, 2011. Retrieved May 22, 2022.