Academy I Middle School

Academy I Middle School is a public middle school in Jersey City, New Jersey. The building was built in 1966, making it one of the newest schools in the city. The school ranks ahead of many Jersey City Public Schools in various areas. Although it ranks ahead, it is the worst conditioned. It has no air conditioning, heaters that cannot be controlled, and it only recently got 4 video cameras. Temperatures can reach over 100 degrees in the summer and below freezing in winter. However, most students learn to cope with these conditions.

Lexus Environmental Challenge

The Lexus Environmental Challenge is a program that tells students to create an idea consisting ideas to help protect the environment. For the 2007-2008 school year, a group of five students were chosen to represent the school in the nationwide competition. They are David Chen, Tsering Bista, Mathew Aquino, Yoonji Oh and Crystal Jahoor, and was "coached" by Mr. Osenenko. They kicked off a campaign to make oceans less polluted. They did this by spray painting "DUMP NO WASTE. DRAINS TO WATERWAYS." using creative stencils all over Jersey City. The school won this contest. In return, they recieved $75,000. Academy 1 was also awarded the title of "Climate Academy"

Other Programs

Academy I Middle School is home to 3 programs.
*The Acceleration and Enrichment Program (the majority of the school's enrollment are in the AEP)
*The Bridges Program for students with learning disabilities
*The Special Needs Program for students with learning/physical disabilities

AEP and the Honor Society

A main reason for the school's high performance is the fact that it houses the Acceleration and Enrichment Program, a program for advanced students. The Acceleration and Enrichment Program, or AEP, gives its students more challenging work, one year ahead of their grade level. Example: 6th graders take courses that normally 7th graders in other schools would take, 7th graders take courses that normally 8th graders in other schools would take, and 8th graders would take 9th grade honors courses. If an 8th grader passes all of their courses and achieves over an 80 on his/hers final and mid term exams, then he/she is eligible for Advanced Placement Program (AP) courses. This results in the 8th grader taking 10th grade honors courses while in 9th grade. The student will also be able to, depending on the school, only attend High School for 3 years or take college level courses in senior year. This places them one year ahead of other students their age. However, a student must be recommended by their teacher in order to get Advanced Placement in High School. The majority of the AEP ends up attending the Dr. Ronald E. McNair Academic High School. The students who have achieved a 90+ avg. for all Marking Periods in Grades 6-8 are in an organization called the National Junior Honor Society.

Extra Curricular Activities (e.c.a)

Below are some E.C.A. in the school with the person running the activity in the school
*Scholastic Bowl : Mr. Franks & Mrs. Dunham: Academy I was the district champions for the 2007-2008 school year.
*NJHS: National Junior Honor Society: Mrs. Spitaletta
*Basketball (girls and boys): Mr. Kelly
*Soccer: Mr. Monigle
*Volleyball (Boys) : Mr. Kelly
*Volleyball (Girls): Mrs. Solomine, also the Guidance Counselor
*Math Olympics: Mrs. Dunham
*Swim Team: Mr. Osenenko
*Media Center: Mr. Wisniewski and Mrs. Espejo
*Lego Robotics: Mr. Osenenko and Ms. Dunham
*Baseball : Mr. Mannion

Facts

*Monthly Message :"We're On the Move!"

**Non Hispanic White: 13.2%*
**Black: 35.2%*
**Asian: 27.3%*
**Hispanic: 22.5%*
*Enrollment by Gender: Female: 54.4%; Male: 45.6%*
*Student Teacher Ratio: 11.3*
*Classroom Teachers: 35*
*2004-2005 Enrollment; Most common languages spoken at home:
**English: 49%*
**Spanish: 16%*
**Other Languages: 13%*
**Gujarati: 7%*
**Hindi and Urdu: 8%*
*The gym in Academy 1 is also used by its neighboring school, Henry Snyder High School.(*) As of 2004-2005 School Year

Facts

Academy I, established in September 1994, is an integrated institution composed of three programs. Its diverse educational complex incorporates a Special Needs program, Bridges Academy – a district-wide alternative education program, and the Accelerated and Enrichment Program (AEP) – a district magnet program for academically talented students. Each program provides authentic opportunities for the entire student body (400 middle school age students) to significantly interact with diverse personalities and achievers thereby providing a broad, highly challenging authentic educational experiences for all students.

Academy I is a community with a low student faculty ratio permitting close supervision. It is committed to optimal educational programs, which recognize the unique needs, diverse learning abilities and potential, talents and interests of students. Academy I creates an atmosphere, which provides learning opportunities for all students to develop and broaden their particular abilities and potentials.

As part of the Whole School Reform process, the school has joined the Coalition of Essential Schools (CES) program. CES helps promote the concepts of “students maximizing their potential” and a school climate of democracy and equity.

Integrated into the instructional program is a commitment to the arts. Students participate in NJHS, choir, band, instrumental music, artistically talented classes, the Lincoln Center Institute, and fine and performing arts programs partnered with New Jersey School of the Arts. These programs enrich the scope of artistic experiences for our entire school community.

Students at Academy I are active participants in numerous contests, projects, and programs sponsored by local, county, and state agencies, organizations, and educational foundations. These include National Talent Network programs – ROGATE, Joint Activities, FUTUREWORK, and a partnership with the Hackensack Meadowlands Development Commission (HMDC) Environmental Center.

Academy I recognizes “parents are partners” in the education of our students. Newsletters invite and encourage parents/guardians to attend and participate in activities, events, and happenings on a continuous basis. Progress reports keep parents abreast of the academic commitment of their students. In addition, literature is disseminated on a full array of topics assisting parents in their continuous role as the child’s lifelong teacher.

The Academy I uniform consists of a navy blue "school pride" shirt and khaki or black pants or skirt.

Many students and teachers think that a "summer uniform" should be added; the navy blue shirt can be very hot in the summer, it absorbs too much heat to keep a person cool.

External links

* [http://www.jcboe.org/acad1/ Official Website]
* [http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&SchoolID=340783000142&ID=340783000142 School Profile by NCES]
* [http://www.greatschools.net/modperl/browse_school/nj/872/ Great Schools Profile]