What is the Academy Model?
All entering 8th graders select an academy based on their interests. It's kind of like the "houses" of Hogwarts, but students are selected through a lottery process instead of a sorting hat! Our academies are based on core courses, not electives, and they include:
- The Academy for Classical Studies
- The Academy for Design & Technology
- The Academy for Global Studies
- The Academy for Science & Innovation
Why does Austin High follow the academy model?
A three-story urban high school with over 2,000 students can be an intimidating experience for an incoming 14-year-old student. By dividing our students into 4 smaller learning communities based on student interests, we are able to provide a support system for each student that includes a counselor and assistant principal who will follow the students for four years, plus interdisciplinary teams of teachers at the 9th and 10th grade level dedicated to creating curriculum connections that match student interest.
What we love about the academy model:
A team of core subject teachers works to design project-based learning activities that connect to goals and pillars of learning of each academy. Because they are a smaller team, the teachers get to know their students better, manage calendars to ensure a more balanced workload, and collaborate to find curriculum connections that appeal to their learners’ interests (connecting math and science, for example, or finding similar themes in history, philosophy, and literature). The teaching team works to support each student’s goals and to design signature experiences like inviting in guest speakers or going on learning expeditions that relate to the themes and topics of the academy.
What we love about “Team Austin High”:
Academy courses include English, Social Studies, Math, and Science, but students still have half of their schedule devoted to electives, fine arts, world language, athletics, Career and Technology courses, etc. In elective classes the academies are blended together, so students get to work with people who have varied interests. The academies help define us, but they don’t divide us. Everyone at Austin High can take courses or pursue endorsements in the fields they love – culinary arts, engineering, advanced science and math, our award-winning programs like debate, theater, or music, and so many more!
Read more about the pillars of each academy here: Academies at a Glance and watch this video to learn more about the academy application selection process:
A three-story urban high school with over 2,000 students can be an intimidating experience for an incoming 14-year-old student. By dividing our students into 4 smaller learning communities based on student interests, we are able to provide a support system for each student that includes a counselor and assistant principal who will follow the students for four years, plus interdisciplinary teams of teachers at the 9th and 10th grade level dedicated to creating curriculum connections that match student interest.
What we love about the academy model:
A team of core subject teachers works to design project-based learning activities that connect to goals and pillars of learning of each academy. Because they are a smaller team, the teachers get to know their students better, manage calendars to ensure a more balanced workload, and collaborate to find curriculum connections that appeal to their learners’ interests (connecting math and science, for example, or finding similar themes in history, philosophy, and literature). The teaching team works to support each student’s goals and to design signature experiences like inviting in guest speakers or going on learning expeditions that relate to the themes and topics of the academy.
What we love about “Team Austin High”:
Academy courses include English, Social Studies, Math, and Science, but students still have half of their schedule devoted to electives, fine arts, world language, athletics, Career and Technology courses, etc. In elective classes the academies are blended together, so students get to work with people who have varied interests. The academies help define us, but they don’t divide us. Everyone at Austin High can take courses or pursue endorsements in the fields they love – culinary arts, engineering, advanced science and math, our award-winning programs like debate, theater, or music, and so many more!
Read more about the pillars of each academy here: Academies at a Glance and watch this video to learn more about the academy application selection process:
