Academy for Technology and the Classics
| The Academy for Technology and the Classics | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
|
74 A Van Nu Po Road Santa Fe, New Mexico, 87508 United States | |
| Information | |
| Type | charter School |
| Established | 2001 |
| School district | Santa Fe Public Schools |
| Principal | Susan Lumley |
| Grades | 7-12 |
| Enrollment | approx 330 |
| Color(s) |
Maroon and Gold and Red |
| Mascot | Phoenix |
| Newspaper | The Phoenix Flame |
| Yearbook | Published each semester |
| Website | http://www.atcschool.org/ |
The Academy for Technology and the Classics (ATC) is a charter school in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Education Program and Philosophy
The Academy for Technology and the Classics is a charter school that was founded in 2000 to provide a classical and technology-based approach to education in a public school setting. ATC was the third charter school established in Santa Fe, and the first in the city to open its doors to both middle and high school students. In keeping the student body small, the school's founding Board of Trustees sought to provide small classes and personalized instruction to students who thrived in such an environment.
ATC remains the smallest public high school in Santa Fe, and aims to incorporate students with a variety of learning styles and personal strengths in order to foster communication, literacy, critical thinking and the personal skills necessary for a successful future. The schools mission is to provide an academically charged environment while instilling the "classic" moral values of respect, integrity, responsibility and honesty, which is seen in its increased graduation requirements and focus on personal interaction.[1]
History
ATC first opened its doors to students in January 2001. Its first one and one-half years were in a building leased from and on the campus of the New Mexico National Guard. The school then moved to a portable classroom campus behind the Genoveva Chavez Community Center. The portable classrooms were provided by Santa Fe Public Schools and the other portable buildings (administration and restrooms) were leased by ATC. The land was made available by the City of Santa Fe.
In September 2007 the school opened the doors at a new permanent location. This new facility is located in Rancho Viejo near the Institute of American Indian Arts, and was constructed on privately donated land. Currently only one building with classrooms has been erected, but as the school grows in the coming years, there are plans to build additional science and art classrooms as well as a gymnasium.
During the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 school years, ATC adopted a block schedule. However, due to an administrative decision, the school will revert to a fixed schedule with 6 periods per day beginning in the 2012-2013 school year. Various committees consisting of students, parents, and faculty members were created to weigh the benefits and detriments of this option, and the final decision was made by principal Susan Lumley.
In 2011, the Academy for Technology and the Classics had its charter temporarily revoked, was put under financial and administrative rule of Santa Fe Public Schools, following an investigation in response to several scandals that emerged late in the 2010-2011 school year.
Events
Organized by the PTSC, The First Annual "Flaming Chicken" Trail Run is scheduled for Saturday, October 22, 2011, at 9:30 am. The event will be held at ATC on the school's premier cross-country trail, a 5K run through the beautiful, juniper and pinon tree-dotted rolling hills surrounding the school. Money raised will help defray instruction expenses not funded due to recent federal and state budget cuts.
Student body
ATC’s population for the 2010-11 school year was 390 students. The current charter allows a maximum potential school population of 400 students, but in order to maintain the academic integrity of school, a relatively small number of new students have been admitted each year. As the facilities and staff expand, the student body will be allowed to grow.
ATC offers a free and reduced lunch program.
The ethnic breakdown is 52% Caucasian; 45% Hispanic; 1% Native American; 1% African American; 1% Asian American.
The student/teacher ratio is 17/1.
Notable Programs
Instruction in German, French and Spanish which utilize both native speaking instructors and the Rosetta Stone software is available. Immersion sessions are also available to help students grasp the foreign language of their choice. Three years of foreign language study are required for graduation.
ATC has a marimba. It has played at many events over the past five years including the National Charter School Conference, which was held in Albuquerque in 2007.
Junior and senior students are encouraged to participate in a dual enrollment program with the Santa Fe Community College, which allows them to take advanced courses and earn college credit.
Accomplishments
ATC is proud of its superior faculty, crediting them with its history of academic excellence. Although almost an entirely new staff has been recruited, with only one to three veteran teachers
As an academic leader ATC offers superior Advanced Placement courses in many subjects including English, Government, History, Math, Spanish, etc. ATC offers its first AP course to ninth grade students in the 2012 school year when AP Environmental Science becomes available.
ATC boasts a successful and popular Chess Team led by faculty member Robert Mathis.
The school has historically been a strong competitor in Spelling and History Bees.
Cross-Country at ATC enjoys strong support from students, faculty, coaches and parents. It trains on its beautiful course one of the finest in the state and hosts an annual preseason invitational each year for Santa Fe schools.
In 2007 ATC was selected as one of America's Best High Schools by U.S. News & World Report, receiving a Bronze Medal.[2]
ATC has met Annual Yearly Progress, No Child Left Behind Requirements in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009.
80% of the school’s graduates attend post-secondary schools. Graduates have received admission to top universities including Yale University, Princeton University and Stanford University. Several students have also been named Regent and President Scholars at the University of New Mexico.
2011 Reorganization
Late in the 2010-2011 school year, ATC's Governing Council suspended the school's charter for one year and resigned en masse at the end of the year, opening the way for the Santa Fe Public School District, its chartering authority, to take responsibility for school governance for one year and oversee elections of a new Governing Board and initiate general policy changes.[3]
Susan Lumley, a long-time school principal, realtor,[4] and writer,[5] was chosen by a committee of teachers, parents, and students to the principal position for the 2011-2012 school year.
The election of a new Governing Council took place in October 2011.
References
- ↑ ATC Mission Statement
- ↑ America's Best High Schools - ATC
- ↑ "ATC council axes director; president cites budget fears, teacher sex scandal". The Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved June 28, 2012.
- ↑ "Meet Susan". Santa Fe Luxury Homes. Retrieved June 28, 2012.
- ↑ Barbara Skeeters and Susan F. Lumley (January 3, 2011). "MyBookOrders Book Ordering". Secure.mybookorders.com. Retrieved June 28, 2012.