Academies at AHS

Like change? Adjusted to the block already?

Well good, because here comes round two.

There has been a great deal of discussion among Albany administrators, teachers and the community about a new academy system at this school. And it looks likely that the new system will pass inspection and be adopted.

What’s an academy, you may ask?

According to Susan Charlip, longtime AHS English teacher and now the teacher on special assignment who is organizing the new movement, academies are “smaller learning communities.” A person in an academy could be learning along a certain career track geared toward a certain career path after high school.

The theme can be anything, from digital arts and biotechnology to small machines and social justice. We have considered many academies at our school, but due to the budget, the plan at Albany is to start with an academy integrating English, social studies, art and technology.

How close are we?

Charlip said, “In my 20-something years in this school, it’s never been more likely.” You may not know it, but our move to the block schedule was actually the first big step towards an academy system. But it won’t come for at least another two years. Charlip will submit the final grant proposal next November. This year’s sophomores and freshmen are the only ones who will have a chance to see it.

Charlip said that we are going to move to this new system because we are a “growing school, and as we become a big school, we begin to have ‘big school’ problems, like an achievement gap, and people getting passed by the system and not succeeding.” These theme-based cores would give people a little community to rely on, core teachers to grow comfortable with, and core students to develop friendships with. It would give their school experience focus and purpose. It would also prepare them for careers and life after high school.
But of course, the students in it would still have to fulfill the same graduation requirements as everyone else. An academy would not be a place for people who just want to take it easy.

“School will still be school!” said Charlip.

But it sure will be different.

One Response

1. 8:49 AM on January 29th, 2007Anonymous:

   more like “school will still be FOR FOOLS” ha ha!

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