Scholars' Academy
Scholars' Academy is a uniformed preparatory school consisting of a middle school (grades 6-8) and a high school (grades 9-12) for gifted and talented children located in Rockaway Park.
| The Scholars' Academy | |
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| Address | |
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320 Beach 104th St, Rockaway Park, NY 11694 | |
| Information | |
| Established | September 2005 |
| Principal | Brian O'Connell |
| Grades | 6 to 12 |
| Color(s) | Navy blue, light blue and khaki pants |
| Slogan | Technology today, Smarter tomorrow |
| Team name | Seawolves |
| Newspaper | The Seaside Chronicle |
| Website | http://www.scholarsnyc.com/ |
From a pilot program, Scholars' Academy has evolved into a co-ed grade 6-12 middle/high school. There are currently six 6th grade classes, six 7th grade classes, and seven 8th grade classes of the middle school with a student-to-teacher ratio of 33:1. Students take the Living Environment and Integrated Algebra Regents in 8th grade, and 7th graders take the 8th grade Standardized Science Exam. The high school has four classes in each grade, with an average 30:1 student-to-teacher ratio. After the 11th grade, students typically only take 1-2 more regents exams as in the 11th and 12th grade, between 1/2 and 3/4 of students' classes are Advanced Placement or Dual Enrollment classes (dual enrollment provided by St. Francis College).
Admission to Scholars' Academy involves filling out an application by the prospective student and their family to be sent to Scholars' by their guidance counselor. Applicants either get offered an interview or they could get wait-listed and accepted only if there aren't enough students. Some students may also be accepted without an interview. After being accepted into the school, students must maintain an 85% or higher cumulative average. This school is one of the most racially diverse schools in America.
Extracurricular activities
In the middle school, students are given the opportunity to choose an elective each year. These electives vary for each grade and are mandatory for middle school students. Some electives offered are piano, music technology, computer programming, guitar, drawing, publishing, dance, sports, fitness, drama, multicultural dance, video streaming, children's literature, robotics, art, and coding.[1] High-school students are also given a choice of an elective, though it is not required. Some options include drawing, guitar, the music of Mexico, video streaming, and robotics.
Some clubs at the school include the gay-straight alliance club, model UN film production club, chemistry club, bio-med club, math team, and student government. Students can start their own clubs if they can get a room for their club and a teacher who supports them in the idea. The school also has a school newspaper that started in the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year called The Seaside Chronicle for anyone to join and write for.
Sports
Currently, there are seven sports for the middle school: basketball and lacrosse for boys, basketball, cheerleading, and volleyball for girls and cross country and soccer as co-ed sports. Most sports available for high school students are PSAL sports such as basketball, swimming, cross country, and bowling. The school also has an archery team. In 2010-2011 HS Girls Basketball Team won the Basketball Public School Athletic League Championship the second year they were in the competition.
Theater
Students in both the middle school and high school have the opportunity to star in school plays hosted every few months in the school's auditorium. The topic of these plays range from popular movies, such as Shrek and High School Musical, to Broadway musicals, such as Fiddler on the Roof and Little Shop of Horrors. The production of these plays are almost entirely student driven, including the recordings, creation of props, and other stage jobs. Those who participate attend rehearsals after school that ultimately lead up to a final show put on for family and friends. Tickets can be purchased for $3 during school hours and $5 at the door.
Band/Chorus
As with many other extracurricular activities, the school has a separate band and chorus for high school and middle school students. Members of the band and chorus meet in the morning before classes officially start. Students in band often perform in parades and other events outside of school. Members of the band may also perform during graduations and assemblies held within school hours. Students in chorus sometimes perform during school assemblies as well. When the holidays come around, chorus members go caroling around the school, singing famous Christmas songs.
The Scholars' Academy High School
College and Career Readiness
The Scholars' Academy strives to prepare students for the various challenges that they will face upon applying for and going to college. Throughout their high school career, students will be informed about different types of colleges and how to choose the right one for them. Some services provided include trips to nearby colleges, college fairs held in-school, presentations, individuals conferences, and a college office for any questions and concerns. Although mainly for the use of high school students, middle school students can seek advice from the college office as well. Additionally, students will be able to build up their resume by volunteering to develop skills, interning to gain work experience, and furthering their education through outside programs..
PSAT and SAT Prep
In 10th grade, students are required to take the PSAT as a measure to see how they will scale up to the SAT the following year. They are provided with multiple resources for both tests, including but not limited to websites, practice tests, and study periods. Both tests are taken during school hours, though the PSAT can be taken in the fall for a chance to get a scholarship and the SAT can be taken multiple times at other locations.
SAT Subject Test Prep
Students are encouraged to apply for SAT Subject Tests after they have obtained enough information from their regular classes. Many teachers offer study sessions after school to drill the tests and become familiar with its components. These tests must be applied for online through the College Board. After paying the registration fee and fee to take a specific test, students must arrive on time to the testing site of their choosing with the required materials.
Internships
During their time in high school, students will have experience as interns for either school staff members or another organization of their choosing. If a student chooses to intern for a teacher, their schedules will be modified to fit a period of internship into their school schedule.
Volunteering
Students are promoted to give back to the community by volunteering outside of school. High school students are required to complete a minimum of 25 community service hours each year before May 1. The school often sends out emails about volunteering opportunities and volunteer groups. If they comply with the community service rule and maintain a high overall average, they may qualify for the National Honor Society.
Course Selection
Upon entering high school, students are given the chance to choose between a music and an art track. These tracks are mandatory and must taken for at least two years before a student can decide whether or not they would like to continue the track as a college course. Depending on their science and math grades from the previous year, they may be placed into either physics or earth science. As students rise into sophomore year, they will be able to make decisions about the classes they want to take in regards to AP classes and honors classes. These advanced classes are offered based on grades, exam results, and available space. The following will outline the classes available to each grade:
Rising Sophomores
- AP Spanish
- AP U.S. History
- Algebra II Honors
- Chemistry Honors
Rising Juniors
- AP Biology
- AP Chemistry
- AP Physics
- AP Calculus AB
- AP English
- AP World History
- AP Music
- AP Spanish
*Juniors do not take honors classes
Rising seniors
- AP Biology
- AP Chemistry
- AP Physics C
- AP Calculus BC
- AP English Lit
- AP World History
- AP Music
- AP Art History
- AP Computer Science
- AP Psychology
- AP Spanish
*Seniors do not take honors classes
*Seniors are prioritized when considering AP courses
Hurricane Sandy
Hurricane Sandy was the deadliest and most destructive hurricane of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season. Scholars' Academy was one of the city's hardest hit schools by Superstorm Sandy. The first floor was virtually demolished. Not only was it filled up by seawater from both Jamaica Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, but it was also filled with toxic sewage from the sewage treatment plant located directly across the street. Students, most of which were relocated themselves, were relocated to two schools in Brownsville, Brooklyn. After the seawater was drained and the sewage was removed, several feet of sand remained. The theater and all of the first-floor classrooms were completely destroyed, and the gymnasium took an unbelievable amount of damage. After several donations from individuals, disaster recovery teams and companies, the school was able to be repaired. After three and a half months of relocation, the students were permitted to return to the Scholars' Academy building..
External links
Media related to Scholars' Academy (Queens) at Wikimedia Commons- NYC Department of Education: Scholar's Academy