Academic Magnet High School met the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19 with exceptional grace, effectiveness, and efficiency. The heroic efforts of staff and faculty, in partnership with families and students, allowed AMHS to reach 100% of its students with up to 90% in-person; the remainder of students were virtual during the entirety of the school year. The school’s reputation for academic excellence and learning integrity remained intact.
Academic Magnet High School fully supports the Profile of the SC Graduate and is pleased to report on the school's efforts to collaborate and creatively engage students. It was only with the day-to-day collaboration of AMHS families and students that the school was able to reach 100% of its students with effective instruction throughout the entire year. This family/school partnership was enhanced by clear and timely communication from school leadership, counselors, and teachers.
Strong collaboration with the College Board and the Advanced Placement Program sets AMHS apart in academic rigor. Despite the various testing logistics and formats, 565 AMHS students took 1579 AP exams, a school record. The AP Capstone Program for all 11th and 12th grade students was finally fully implemented with the inclusion of the Oral Defense. In 2020, AMHS posted 96.4% of students scoring a 3 or higher pass rate on one or more AP exams; we anticipate results posted in July 2021 to be even stronger.
An initial two-year $100,000 grant from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation was renewed for an additional two years (2020-22), and $150,000 will support the continued implementation of access strategies for low income middle school students and families in preparation for admission to AMHS. This collaboration has positively impacted diversity within our school admissions. At this time, the grant has supported the fully qualified admission of nearly 40 students meeting socio-economic and diversity requirements of the grant.
Parent support groups at AMHS include Parents in Education (PIE), the AMHS Foundation, and the School Improvement Council. The exceptional collaboration with these groups has allowed AMHS to offer students and staff opportunities for growth and support not possible through the standard operational budget: PIE supports faculty in accessing nationally recognized professional development; the Foundation makes a summer transition program possible for new students entering AMHS; the SIC sponsors a mentor training and student-to-student support program which helps entering freshman from over 20 different middle schools assimilate to a new school environment. In 2021, the SIC also introduced a FAQ document for parents at each grade level.
A spirit of creativity and partnership with CCSD, PIE, and the school staff and administration allowed us to fully honor and recognize the Class of 2021 despite health and safety restrictions. This extraordinary graduating class of 162 students, boasting 23 National Merit finalists as well as 147 potential AP Capstone Diploma scholars, deserved every effort we could put forth to celebrate. A safely distanced outdoor graduation ceremony and Senior PROMenade were applauded by our school community.
It is notable that Academic Magnet High School was named the Number 2 public high school in the nation by US News and World Report 2021 for the second year in a row, marking three consecutive years of number 1 or 2 rankings. AMHS consistently ranks number 1 in South Carolina.
Respectfully submitted,
Catherine Spencer, Principal
Amy Hill, SIC Chairperson
