keys to success: academy of math, science & technology kennesaw mountain high school

Keys to Success:Academy of Math, Science &

Technology

Kennesaw Mountain

High School

http://kmhsmagnet.com

Director

mimi.dyer@cobbk12.org

Dr. Mimi Dyer

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