Accelerated Middle School
Information Night
December 15, 2015
AMS Staff – here tonight
• David Loutzenheiser, Principal
• Amanda Cook, Lead Teacher
• Christine Taylor, Admin Assistant
• AMS Student Government
Kylee Cook, Randy Powers, Kavi Manik, Lexy Canales
Finn Howe, Devynn Mortenson, Taylar Cook, Erin Koh
History of AMS
• We are currently in our 4th year.
• We have grown from 36 first year to 77 this year.
• We do not have official boundaries – open to anyone.
• We are a School of Choice.
• Who knew?
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.
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
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
• This year, 6th grade blended learning pilot
Science Curriculum
• Preparing for AP Biology as a Freshman
• 6th grade taught by Honors Chemistry teacher
• 7th and 8th taught by AP Biology teacher
• Hands on – in the labs often
• Science Fair – resources of a high school
• Science Camp with CTA Freedom
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
Pre AP Curriculum
• English
• Preparing for Honors English 9
• Social Studies
• Preparing for AP World History
Elective Wheel – refer to Handout
• Change electives every quarter
• Engineering every year
• Speech and debate every year
• Java
• Graphic Design
• Multimedia and Film
• Art
Fine Arts and PE
• 7th period – 2:20 to 3:15
• Orchestra, Band, Choir – M, W, F
• PE – T, Th
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
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 – plain grey shirt
and black sports shorts
Starting the Day
• Drop-off in the morning – 7:00 to 7:25 – See Map
location East Side
• Meeting around H114 & H115 – inside/outside
benches and tables
• Collect and go to 1st period together – Security
• Leave instruments in H115
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
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
Ending the Day
• 3:15 release bell
• Pickup – see map – on the west side near auditorium
• Late pickup – students go to public library as a group
Placement Testing
• All students must apply for testing – packet on our
website – Start accepting packets on January 4.
• Two Saturdays for testing:
• January 23
• February 20
• Math, Reading/writing, ULSAT
• Results and placement before Spring Break
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
• 56 new 6th graders
• 28 new 7th graders
Common Questions
• Is transportation provided?
No, as a school of choice without boundaries, we
do not provide transportation.
• Do you have sports and clubs?
We offer after school clubs but we
do not have junior high sports.
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
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.
Common Questions
• Are tours/shadowing available?
• To get a tour of AMS, please contact Christine Taylor at
480-224-2100 or taylor.christine@cusd80.com
• Tours scheduled between 1:30 and 2:30 and are given by
Amanda Cook
• Shadowing can be scheduled after
acceptance through Christine Taylor.
Thank You
• The number one influence on the success of a child's
education are parents.
• Please stay if you have individual questions.