Science

The middle school science experience at AMSA is completely unique to the average middle school. This unique set up in the middle school is accomplished by the science team each seeing a particular class 2.5 times a week. While this seems like a lot of overhead for a department, it gives the students the ability to have time with each of these subjects, in place of blending all of the fields together. In 6th Grade, students start their biology adventure. Using a high school curriculum as a guide students will go through a high school biology course through their three years in middle school. This allows for the teachers to teach in a cyclic matter, reinforcing ideas throughout the material and helping to draw connections relevant to the students and the world that they live in today. In seventh grade they pick up two curriculums (two new teachers too!) in addition to their biology course. Now science comes in three discreet packets. With Classes in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, students start to work with some of the more tangible concepts of the physics and chemical sciences. Here at AMSA the most challenging year, is 8th grade, where students will pick up a fourth science class. Added to the science family is earth science. Valued as an independent science, AMSA carves time for students to have time to study the concepts that drive our planets and all of the interactions of the other sciences.

The Science Department here at AMSA is more multifarious then first looks give it. Seemingly following the path of traditional high schools, students start their high school careers with Biology. But due to their multi-year foundation from the middle school, Biology in 9th grade is a polishing course. Students are given the opportunity to amalgamate the concepts from the middle school into a final product. We are so successful at this the school asks students to sit for the 10th grade Biology MCAS at the end of their freshman year.  This has proven to be extremely successful for our students. Allowing a 100% pass through this graduation requirement.  After a successful completion of their freshman year, students are then given the opportunity to pick their path in Chemistry and are given the unique opportunity to apply for AP Biology. Typical enrollment to AP Science Courses are in the 11th grade, but in an effort to offer the ability to all students to have the potential to take all AP Sciences, we open the doors to the sophomores.   Sophomore year looks at chemistry in a new direction. While the topics seem benign and unassuming, the depth of knowledge is far deeper than the typical high school. Using the Flipped Classroom (with Mastery) allows for students to reach a depth not thought possible in a high school year long course. The juniors have the doors open with possibilities to take in addition to their physics, from anatomy and physiology, sustainability, GIS, Forensics, research, and AP Chemistry, the options really open up. To round out their senior year students have all of the elective options above, plus the ability to take AP Physics.