Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts

Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts
Established 1993
School type Residential Public High School
Director Dr. Janet Hugo
Location 200 Whittington Ave
Hot Springs, AR 71901
Mascot Dolphin
Colors Green, Yellow, Blue
Homepage http://www.asmsa.org

The Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts (ASMSA) is a two-year, public residential high school located in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is a part of the University of Arkansas administrative system and a member of the NCSSSMST. The school was originally known as The Arkansas School for Mathematics and Sciences (abbreviated ASMS).

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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, the largest department at the school. All courses are taught at the Honors level or above. ASMSA also offers a number of AP-level courses and courses that go beyond the AP level, especially in mathematics. ASMSA has an arts program, which was recently added by the state legislature. However, the state legislature neglected to fund the project, so the arts program at the moment is little more than a formality.

The school was created in 1991[1] 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 year and submit application forms, grade transcripts, SAT or ACT results, and three letters of recommendation. Generally, students can only enter the school as a rising junior, although there have been cases where a student from another state magnet school transferred to ASMSA. Additionally, some students will repeat their junior year of high school at ASMSA because they didn't apply in time to be admitted with their regular class.

Students who attend ASMSA live under full-time video surveillance in dormitories away from their homes. The dormitories are not co-ed, and there is no co-mingling outside of designated co-ed areas. The students are supervised by full-time Residential Mentors. The school itself is located in the former St. Joseph's Catholic Hospital in the historic district of Hot Springs, and it is surrounded on three sides by the Hot Springs National Park. The school's mascot is the dolphin.

Teachers have at least a master's degree in their field, and 27% have a Ph.D.[2] Notable professors at the school have included Dr. 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; Dr. Brian Monson, who has previously taught at the University of Tulsa and the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics, is chair of the science department and teaches AP Physics C, Optics, 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 professors at the school also instruct during the summer at the Arkansas Governor's School. The current director of the school is Janet Hugo[3]

Student life

ASMSA students have a number of projects and activities that fill their time. One of the school's trademarks is participation in the Intel Science and Engineering Fair. Every student selects a research topic at the start of their spring semester as a junior, and they will continue to research this project for the next fourteen months through a class titled Fundamentals in Research Methods. This project culminates in Science Fair week, which is generally in mid February. ASMSA competes as its own region in the state competition because of the quantity of projects it produces every year - often a hundred or more. Projects often culminate with substantial monetary awards, governmental recognition, and publication. Other academic endeavors include Culture Fair, where every student participates in a recreation of an historic time period, and Dolphinstock, where the American Studies classes and many students perform acts, speeches, and music, all about something that happened during the 1960s and 1970s. Another prominent event that has recently been added to the curriculum is the Renaissance Fair. Students also take part in Element Day, Pi day (\pi) and Fall Math Project (changed in the 2009-10 school year to Spring Math Project). Student involvement at ASMSA is encouraged and there are many clubs and associations. The Multicultural Club shares and discusses different heritages, oftentimes with tasty food for the members to enjoy. There is also SGA (Student Government Association) for students willing to make a difference. Other clubs include the ASMSA Step Team, Drama Club, Fellowship of Christian Students, Astronomy Club, Rubik's Cube Club, Model UN, and many more. Students may form clubs based on common interest and present it to a teacher who then sponsors their cause.

References

  1. ^ http://www.asmsa.org/aboutASMSA_09.html
  2. ^ http://www.asmsa.org/aboutASMSA_09.html,About ASMSA
  3. ^ http://www.asmsa.org/aboutASMSA_09.html

External links