Scholars Academy Your Home at Miami Beach Senior High Dr. Rosann Sidener Principal Ms. Jodi Weinstein Robins Assistant Principal Mr. Ramon Patrice Assistant Principal Mr. Miguel Flores Assistant Principal Mr. Andrew Weiss Lead Teacher

MIAMI BEACH SENIOR HIGH IS A COMPREHENSIVE, PUBLIC SCHOOL THAT SERVES ALMOST 2000 STUDENTS Historically, several academies have provided specialized instruction to smaller groups of students: Scholars Academy Academy of Hospitality and Tourism Academy of Information Technology Research shows that students perform better in smaller learning communities. The existing academies have been extremely popular institutions at Beach High. In , seven new academies will be established within three “schools within a school.”

THE NEW BEACH HIGH: SCHOOLS WITHIN A SCHOOL School of Creative Arts Academy of Visual & Performing Arts Academy of Communication & Digital Media School of Business and Technical Arts Academy of Business, Management & Administration Academy of Hospitality & Tourism Academy of Information Technology Academy of Public Service & Security 9th Grade Academy AVID Team Teaching Study Skills Preparation for Career Academies School of Liberal Arts Academy of Marine & Environmental Science Academy of Foreign Language & Humanities Scholars Academy Academy of Education & Training Services

AVID Implementation: 60 rising freshmen in the GPA range are recruited annually AVID Elective Class Tutorials (7:1 ratio) Cornell Notes AVID Binder Study Skills College Information Family Workshops Writing Instruction Guest Speakers Study Trips AVID Site Team Trained Counselor Initiating Schoolwide Improvement and Enhancing “Going to College” Culture

All youth ready for college, careers, and active civic participation. Engaged Community and Youth Integrated System of High Standards, Curriculum, Instruction, Assessments, and Support Accountable Leaders Empowered Educators Personalized Learning Environments Academic Engagement of All Students BENEFITS TO AN “ALL ACADEMY MODEL” AT MIAMI BEACH SENIOR HIGH

IS THE SCHOLARS ACADEMY RIGHT FOR YOU? Students begin college level, Advanced Placement coursework in grade 10. Students engage in professional internships in grades 11 or 12. Students must maintain an unweighted GPA of 3.0 in the academic core courses of Mathematics, Science, Language Arts and Social Studies.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES AND EXAMS The core curriculum of the Scholars Academy revolves around Advanced Placement courses and exams. AP courses are high school classes that can count for introductory college coursework when students pass an AP exam. AP exams are scored on a scale of 1-5 by The College Board. Scores of 3 or higher are considered passing, but many universities require scores of 4 or 5 to earn college credit. AP syllabi must be approved by The College Board, ensuring that AP courses are taught at the same high level nationwide.

Scholars Academy students take their first Advanced Placement course in grade 10, and must enroll in a minimum of two AP courses in grades 11 and 12. SUBJECT GRADE 9 GRADE 10 GRADE 11 GRADE 12 ENGLISH Honors English 1 H Gifted English 1 Honors English 2 H Gifted English 2 AP/G AP English Language Honors English 3 H Gifted English 3 AP/G AP English Lit. Honors English 4 H Gifted English 4 MATH Honors Geometry H Gifted Geometry Honors Algebra 2 H Gifted Algebra 2 Honors Algebra 2 H Gifted Algebra 2 Honors Pre- Calculus H Gifted Pre- Calculus AP Calculus AB Hon. Calculus AP Calculus BC AP Statistics SCIENCE Honors Biology H Gifted Biology Honors Chemistry H Gifted Chemistry Honors Chemistry H Gifted Chemistry If Hon. Chem.. in gr. 9, see Gr. 11 options. AP/ G AP Biology AP Chemistry Honors Physics AP Physics H / G Physics AP/ G AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Physics SOCIAL STUDIES Honors World History H Gifted World History AP/G AP World History AP/ G AP American History Honors American History H Gifted American History AP/G Govt./Economics Honors Govt. / Economics H Gifted Govt./Economics

Miami Beach Senior High has increased access to its Advanced Placement curriculum, while maintaining a pass rate above the Miami-Dade County Public Schools average.

In 2007, 35 students at Miami Beach Senior High were recognized for outstanding achievement on their AP exams. 18 AP Scholars received scores of 3 or higher on at least 3 AP exams. 3 AP Scholars with Honor received scores of 3 or higher on at least 4 AP exams, and received an average score of 3.25 on all exams taken. 11 AP Scholars with Distinction received scores of 3 or higher on at least 5 AP exams, and received an average score of 3.5 on all exams taken. 4 National AP Scholars received scores of 4 or higher on at least 8 AP exams, and received an average score of 4 on all exams taken. This qualifies for at least 24 college credits!

AP EXAM# STUDENTS3,4,5 SCORES Art History666% Biology2875% Calculus AB2777% Calculus BC5100% English Lang.5652% English Lit.2879% Spanish Lang.8694% Spanish Lit.2065% SELECTED ADVANCED PLACEMENT SCORES BY SUBJECT AT MBSH (2007)

Scholars Academy The Scholars Academy does not consider racial / ethnic categories in the admissions process, yet its diverse composition is broadly reflective of the wider school and civic communities. DIVERSITY AT MBSH AND THE SCHOLARS ACADEMY

SCHOLARS ACADEMY students perform at the top of their class at Miami Beach Senior High, and are competitive nationally for college recruitment

Starting this year, the Miami Beach Senior High PTA is partnering with Kaplan Test Prep to offer a free practice SAT and a reduced rate SAT prep course to MBSH students on the school’s campus.

Scholars Academy graduates have been accepted at: Yale, U Penn, Harvard, USC, Emory, U Chicago, Princeton, Georgetown, Dartmouth, Cornell, Duke, MIT, Purdue, Beloit, Fordham, Georgia Tech, Swarthmore, Wisconsin, New College, U Florida, Smith, NYU, Santa Clara, Tulane, Hampshire, Bucknell, Boston College, Lehigh, Hampton, FSU, Johns Hopkins, Wash U, U Miami, U Michigan, USF, Loyola NO, Drexel, Hartford, St. John’s, Suffolk, U Texas, George Washington, Barry, MDC Honors College, Pratt Institute, NC State, Bowling Green State, Boston University

SCHOLARS ACADEMY ADMISSIONS AND RETENTION: The Scholars Academy has historically accepted 25 gifted and 25 non-gifted rising freshmen each year. Once students matriculate into the program, they are required to maintain an unweighted GPA of 3.0 in the academic core courses of Mathematics, Science, Language Arts and Social Studies. Students whose GPAs fall below the minimum standards are placed on Academic Probation, and are expected to meet minimum standards by the end of one year or exit the program. A small number of students exit each year because of family relocation or poor academic performance, opening up spaces for high achieving sophomores and juniors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

FAQ: When will construction at Miami Beach Senior High be finished? A: The wing that is currently going up on Prairie Ave is slated to open in January, The 100, 200 and 300 wings will then be demolished and the 400 wing will become a temporary cafeteria. Final construction of the new campus will be completed by the end of 2009.

FAQ: How large are classes within the Scholars Academy? A: Core academic classes in the Freshman and Sophomore years have approximately 25 students. As students diverge into specialized Advanced Placement courses, especially in upper level mathematics and science, class sizes often shrink.

FAQ: What is the cutoff for admission to the Scholars Academy? A: We require that students have at least a 3.0 GPA to enroll in the Scholars Academy. However, simply having the minimum GPA does not guarantee acceptance. We also consider the strength of teacher recommendations and the student writing sample. Ultimately, there will be a minimum cutoff above 3.0, but it will depend upon the size and quality of the admissions pool.

FAQ: Why do you only accept 50 students? A: It is easier to build out our classes in approximate multiples of 25, which is the number of high school students that generates a new class. The number could ultimately be smaller if fewer than 50 qualified applications come in, or it could potentially be larger if 75 qualified applications come in. However, it is difficult to work with 54 or 77 students. It is our goal to expand the Scholars Academy over the next several years without lowering our admissions standards.

FAQ: How competitive is admission to the Scholars Academy? A: We are expecting to receive a larger number of applications this year, and are currently exploring the possibility of opening a third section of the Scholars Academy. The exact number at which we would open a third section will ultimately depend on the size and quality of this year’s applicant pool, but we will do our best to accept qualified applicants without lowering standards.

FAQ: Why are Scholars Academy applications numbered as they come in? A: As long as completed applications are received prior to the February 14 deadline, they will all be given equal weight in the first round of admissions. The only point at which early applications are given priority is in the event that we need to create a waitlist. Unadmitted applicants will be notified on March 3, and qualified applications will be placed on a waitlist in the order of their arrival.

FAQ: What if my child is not accepted into the Scholars Academy? A: Every year, some students who are offered admission to the Scholars Academy ultimately decide to enroll in a specialized magnet school, and others elect to enroll in private school. In the event that we are not able to accept every student who meets our minimum qualifications, we will develop a wait list and notify families of their standing on the list. Every year, some students exit the program, and we accept re- applications in the 10 th and 11 th grades.

FAQ: Are students currently taking Geometry and Biology given admissions priority over students currently enrolled in Algebra and Earth/Space Science? A: We accept rising freshman who are currently taking all of these courses. Students who are graduating from private middle schools are not penalized for differences in curricular alignment, although they may be asked to take extra coursework at MBSH or the Florida Virtual School to catch up.

FAQ: Who should my child ask for recommendations? A: We look forward to reading recommendations from teachers who are in the best position to judge the student’s current core academic performance. Usually this is an 8 th grade Mathematics or Language Arts teacher. If a student’s current core academic teachers are unable give an informed recommendation, others will be accepted with good reason.

FAQ: Where do I go for more information? A: Point your web browser to and enter your address to sign up for our list. Contact Andy Weiss with any questions: Phone: , ext 2235 Fax:

FAQ: How can I visit Miami Beach Senior High? A: We will be announcing an Open House event very soon, and are currently conducting classroom tours at 8:00 AM on Thursdays that fall on “A” days (12/6, 12/30, 1/17, 1/31, 2/7). If you are interested in visiting Miami Beach Senior High, sign up by entering your contact information at: We will contact you to confirm.

FAQ: How can I get an application? A: Point your web browser to 07/11/sa-application pdf 07/11/sa-application pdf You can return the paper copy to room 725 in person, send it by interoffice mail to location 7201, or mail it to: MBSH Scholars Academy Attn: Andrew Weiss 2231 Prairie Avenue Miami Beach, FL 33139

Scholars Academy Your Home at Miami Beach Senior High Dr. Rosann Sidener Principal Ms. Jodi Weinstein Robins Assistant Principal Mr. Ramon Patrice Assistant Principal Mr. Miguel Flores Assistant Principal Mr. Andrew Weiss Lead Teacher