keys to success: academy of math, science & technology kennesaw mountain high school
TRANSCRIPT
Keys to Success:Academy of Math, Science &
Technology
Kennesaw Mountain
High School
http://kmhsmagnet.com
Cobb County Schools
• Just north of Atlanta, GA • 2nd largest school district in
state• 30th largest in nation• 106,000 students (+2,500/yr)• 17 high schools, incl. eHigh• 23 middle schools• 68 elementary schools
• Opened in 2000 with 1250 students• 2008-9 population – 2,373• 319,000 sq. ft. instructional space on 79 acres• 118 core and 165 elective courses
on 4x4 block schedule• 66% White, 18% Black, 9% Hispanic,
7% Other• Economically disadvantaged: 24%
KMHS Profile
School Data• SAT Participation
– 82% take test– 81.2% go to college
• AYP Measurements – Georgia High School Graduation Tests
• All students first time test takers (juniors)• Writing: 97%• English: 95%• Math: 95%• Social Studies: 91%• Science: 89%
– Graduation Rate: 87.4%– Attendance Rate: 95%– Dropout Rate: 1.8%
School-within-a-School
Full Integration
• 260 students 60% M 40% F• Four-year program• Math and science acceleration• Magnet classes integrated into
KMHS instructional space• Actively involved in athletics, fine
arts, other extracurricular clubs & organizations
Academy Info
The Academy of Mathematics,
Science & Technology at Kennesaw Mountain High School commits to offering an accelerated curriculum that develops future leaders and supports their passion for learning.
Mission Statement
Admissions
• Blind Application process– Print or online
• Eligibility• Transportation• Admissions Criteria• Math Placement• Committee Points
Eligibility
• Eligible to attend Cobb County Schools and
• Current 8th grader or • Current freshman at KMHS and did
not apply originally in 8th grade or• Transfer from outside Cobb County
(sophomore only)
Transportation• Arterial - provided by Cobb County• Pick-up stations – change each year
based on population• Lose transportation rights if leave
program
• Standardized test scores (ITBS or equiv.) – 30• Middle school grades – 14• Teacher recommendations – 9• Entrance Test (PSAT) – 30
– Essay – 9
• Committee Points – 6• Math Placement – 2
Total = 100
Admissions Criteria
Math Placement• New Georgia curriculum –
integration of algebra, geometry, statistics
• Student must be eligible for Accelerated Math I (minimum)
• Math placement entering the program – 2 points for Accelerated Math I or II or Algebra II
Three members evaluate each application
• Academic Awards – 1%• Leadership – 1%• Academic Extracurricular – 1%• Non-academic extracurricular – 1%• Application essay – 1%• Teacher recommendations – 1%
Committee Points Committee Points
Teacher Recommendations
• One each from 8th grade– Math– Science– Choice
• See Educator Recommendation Form • http://kmhsmagnet.com/files/teach
er_recommend/Educator%20Recommendation%20Form.doc
Important Dates• December 5 , 2008 Application Deadline, 5:00 PM
• January 16, 2009 Educator Recommendations due to KMHS
• January 24, 2009 Admissions Testing January 31 (inclement weather) 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM
• February 26, 2009 Admissions Decisions mailed • March 10, 2009 Open House for Accepted
Students
• March 20, 2009 Admissions Responses due
• April 2, 2009 Freshman Registration
Students take 32 total units:Math 5-10
CoursesScience 6-16 CoursesEnglish 4 CoursesLocal Electives 4-6 CoursesSocial Studies 3 CoursesHealth/Phys. Ed. 1 Course ½ credit each
Foreign Language 2 Courses
Students must complete a minimum of 11 science and math courses
2-3 years of one language
Magnet Health/BPE
Program Description
• Mathematics• Biology• Geo-Sciences• Engineering• Computer
Science• Informational
Technology
OROR
Emphasis Components
Mix ‘n Match
• AP Statistics• AP Calculus AB• AP Calculus BC• Multivariable Calculus
Math
• Honors Anatomy/Physiology• Biology II
– DNA/Genetics– Microbiology
• AP Biology• Biotechnology
Life Sciences
• Oceanography• AP Physics• Astrophysics• AP Environmental Science
Physical Sciences
• Pre-Engineering• Engineering Applications• Robotics• 3-D Solid Modeling
Engineering
• Information Technology Foundations• Programming and Systems
Management• AP Computer Science
Computer Science
• Information Technology Foundations• Foundations of Information Services and
Support• User Support for Information Systems
“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” ~Arthur C. Clarke
Information Technology
• Be prepared to work hard.• Don’t procrastinate.• Get involved.• Learn how to study.• Use your time wisely.• Study for tests, even if you think you
don’t have to.
Advice for Incoming Students
Course of Study- 9th Grade• Science
• Math
• Technology/English
• Social Studies
• Foreign Language
• Electives
• Magnet Biology and Magnet Chemistry
• Magnet Acc. Math I and Magnet Acc. Math II
• Computing in the Modern World with 9th Lit. (H)
• AP Human Geography or Gifted Social Studies (elective)
• Latin, Spanish, French, German
• Fine Arts, Music, Physical Education, Tech/Career
Appendix B
Introduction to TechnologyIntroduction to Technology9th Literature Honors9th Literature Honors
Introduction to TechnologyIntroduction to Technology9th Literature Honors9th Literature Honors
Introduction to Technology9th Literature Honors
Introduction to Technology9th Literature Honors
• 2 separate courses team-taught
• Originated in 2000• Full year (two
semesters)• 4x4 block
– Scheduled as “skinnies”
– Flexibility to meet together for 90 minutes or separately for 45 minutes each
Chemistry of TeachersChemistry of Teachers
• Common planning• Common vision• Patience• Flexibility• Curiosity• Not why, but why
not?
Why Lit/Tech?Why Lit/Tech?
• Provide continuity for students coming from across district (20+ public and private middle schools and home schools)
• Provide exposure to and experience with all technologies needed for program
• Help students see connections between literacies and technology
• Provide home station for critical transition year
AutobiographyAutobiography
CatapultsCatapultsKing Arthur
Romeo and Juliet
CADs and Ads
Magnet Accelerated Math IITeaching Project
• Retention rate for teaching others = 90%
• Establish positive relationships with parents
• All appreciate level of math students are learning
Lesson TemplateStudent Submission
Parent Reflection
I thoroughly enjoyed the linear programming project. My child presented relevant instruction on how to use this type of algebraic math application and showed me the proper way to use a graphing calculator. Having purchased this calculator, it was rewarding to see how it is used daily in his math curriculum and to know that he had mastered this math concept.
Course of Study - 10th Grade• Science
• Math• Technology/Fine Arts
• Social Studies
• English
• Foreign Language
• Electives
• Magnet Physics and Honors Earth Science
• Magnet Acc. Math III• Technology/Fine Arts
Elective• World History, APUSH,
US History Honors• American Literature
(Honors)• French, Latin, Spanish,
German• Fine Arts, Music, Physical
Education, Technology
Junior & Senior Years• Fan out into AP courses• Scientific Research and Internship
– Capstone courses– Internship with business, lab, office, or
educational institution– Original research ties to internship– Minimum 9 hours per week during
normal school day– Looks great on college application and
has helped produce college scholarships
Research and Internship
• Pre-req – minimum 2 AP – at least 1 science
• Blocked 3rd and 4th (3 hours)• Research/Internship Coordinator• 13-week internship
– Minimum 9 hrs./week
• Original research correlates to internship
Research Requirements
• Lab Notebook (use as a journal in the beginning of the semester to organize thoughts and narrow down research topic)
• Literature Review – APA Style• Establish Research Problem• Annotated bibliography• Create Sub-problems• Research Proposal• Conduct Research• Complete Research Paper (the proposal is
the first ½ of the paper) • Formal Presentation
Internships and Research Topics• Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta: What is the
relationship between atmospheric pressure and the occurrence of spontaneous pneumothoraces?
• Georgia Tech Aerospace System Design Lab. School of Aerospace Engineering: How do the coefficients of lift, drag, and pitching moment for a root, tip, and mid airfoil relate in a wing with aerodynamic twist?
• Vascular Surgical Associates: How does the placement of an Arteriovenous fistula compare to an Arteriovenous graft in terms of longevity and postoperative complications?
• Kemira Chemicals, Inc.: What is the relationship between sticky concentration and percent of light transmitted through extract solution?
Math and Science Courses
• See Appendix C and D
Student Contract• Students must make 3.0 in each math
and science course to maintain “good standing”
• Two or more D’s or one F = dismissal• Academic Probation
– Conference with parents and student to develop remedial plan
– If successful, “good standing” returned– If not, student dismissed from program
Appendix AAppendix A
Student Contract, cont.
• If student lives inside KMHS attendance zone, s/he will be placed in courses here
• If student lives outside KMHS attendance zone, s/he must return to zoned high school (within first 3 years)
• Students exiting the program within the first 3 years and after 2 weeks of the semester may remain at KMHS for the remainder of the semester before returning to zoned high school
• SAT Verbal- 648• SAT Math- 703• SAT Writing- 638• ACT composite score average: 29• Valedictorian Jamie Oakley GPA: 4.625• Salutatorian William Hicks GPA: 4.609• College Attendances: MIT, Brown, Duke, US
Military Academy, US Naval Academy, US Air Force Academy, US Coast Guard Academy, UGA, Georgia Tech, Emory, Berry, Georgia Southern, Mississippi State University, University of Minnesota, Florida State University, Auburn University, Mercer University, University of Alabama, Embry Riddle University, Rutgers, Wake Forest, Washington & Lee
Class of 2008
• Why did you apply to this program?– Like math/science, technology – 41.547%– Looks good for college applications –
29.23%
• In what areas was transition difficult?– Depth of content on tests – 47.69%– Study skills – 56.92%– Time management – 61.54%
Class of 2012 Survey
• Greatest challenge– Managing the work load: 43.08% – Learning how to study: 36.92%
• How much homework do you have/night?– 1-2 hours: 44.62% – 2-3 hours: 40%
• Did you have to study in middle school?– 80% No
Class of 2012 Survey
• 501 (c)(3) corporation • Donations benefit KMHS magnet
family– Monthly magnet treat days– September family picnic– Teacher appreciation luncheons– Magnet banquet in April– Scholarships
KMHS Academy Foundation, Inc.
Passion for Learning
Motivation
Curiosity
Determination
Independence
Elements for Success
Promotional Video
