The Leadership Team and the School Improvement Council (SIC) of Academic Magnet High School (AMHS) would like to acknowledge and celebrate another extraordinary year of student and school success. Our students excel in the world class knowledge and skills necessary to be national and international leaders.
Since April of last year, AMHS has received numerous recognitions for stellar academic, community involvement, and sports achievements. Some highlights include: twenty-six seniors named National Merit Scholars; 100% of students passed their EOC exams; and, students earned an average ACT score of 29.2 and SAT combined score of over 1340. Our students routinely compete in national academic competitions, are published in national journals, and participate in prestigious research grants. In sports, we have had four teams celebrate Division 2 State Championships or Runner-Up designations, another four teams won or were finalists at Lower State or Regional level, four students signed to play sports in college, twelve students were named All-State winners, and an additional twenty-five students were named All-Region in their respective sports. And finally, our students have logged over 15,000 hours of community service this year. An example is that some AMHS students help run charitable foundations and raise money for children and schools, locally and overseas, to address literacy and poverty. In some cases, this involves onsite work by our students.
To further acknowledge our highest commitment to critical thinking and creativity, AMHS seeks to broaden and enhance its senior thesis program. This year, AMHS has been approved by College Board to offer the AP Capstone program that will replace the junior and senior year coursework for their thesis. Students will now get AP credit for thesis preparation, research, and presentation in AP Seminar (G11) and AP Research (G12) courses. All students will prepare and present a thesis under AP guidelines working with an AMHS teacher advisor and a mentor. Additionally, there will be an external evaluation by the College Board. We expect to be a flagship program with Advanced Placement, as we will be the first school nationwide to fully implement AP Capstone for all students.
Given all these student activities and achievements, it is no surprise that Academic Magnet was ranked #11 nationally in 2017 by US News and World Report and #1 in South Carolina for 2017. We have been recognized as one of America’s most challenging high schools by such prestigious publications as the Washington Post and Business Insider. All of these successes have been supported by the collaborative spirit and combined effort of students, teachers and staff, parents, and the community. Our SIC has collaborated closely all year with PIE (Partners in Education) and AMF (Academic Magnet Foundation) to address the needs of the school and support future initiatives to propel our students to even greater heights. Some of the activities strengthened and conceived through this collaboration include a Peer Mentor Program, for all grades, and a Summer Scholars Program for incoming 9th grade students, both of which have been very instrumental in reducing stresses associated with high school and in building confidence and new friendships. Philosophy 101, sponsored by the College of Charleston and taught by a C of C professor (and AMHS parent), was created and paid for by the Academic Magnet Foundation. Without the parent support for these types of classes, students would not have the opportunity for work at this college level.
This year AMHS, with financial assistance from AMF and PIE, sent teachers to national conferences to learn and share best practices in the areas of science, math, social studies, and English. In addition, our counselors attended national symposiums to understand new ways to support the emotional needs of our students.
Support for AMHS, for its students and faculty, and for the varied and outstanding activities and events offered does require a commitment of dollars, and this year the coalition of parent groups worked together on two fundraising activities: Celebrate Magnet at The School House in West Ashley and The International Dinner. These evenings highlighted and honored the skills and support of our wonderful parents and parent leadership groups.
The AMHS School Improvement Council and School Leadership Team look forward to continuing to ensure that AMHS students enjoy a high school experience of the highest quality.
Catherine Spencer, Principal
Kristen Odell, SIC Chair
