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"All advocacy is, at its core, is an exercise in empathy."
- Samantha Power

The Advocating for the Community Through STEM (A.C.T.S.) Program

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Overview

EVERY student at South Atlanta will receive curricular instruction aimed at increasing the STEM literacy of our students.   This includes engaging students to solve real-world, relevant interdisciplinary problems through the use of problem solving and design thinking processes and strategies.  Students will build competence in knowledge and skills that will prepare them for a STEM driven work-force (across subject areas).

There are however, a select group of students who have an intensive experience in the Advocating Through the Community Through STEM (A.C.T.S.) Program. 

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Course of Study

The main difference between an A.C.T.S. student and any other student is their course of study. Students in the A.C.T.S. program engage in an advanced and accelerated course of study in the area of mathematics and science.

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GENERAL COURSE OF STUDY

  • 9th Grade: Algebra I

  • 10th Grade: Algebra II

  • 11th Grade: Geometry

  • 12th Grade: Advanced Mathematical Decision Making OR Statistical Reasoning + AP Statistics 

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A.C.T.S. PROGRAM COURSE OF STUDY

  • 9th Grade: Algebra I

  • 10th Grade: Algebra II + Geometry 

  • 11th Grade: Statistical Reasoning + AP Statistics

  • 12th Grade: Internship OR Pre-Calculus + AP Calculus OR College Algebra (Dual Enrollment) 

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Requirements

Although there are no hard requirements to participate, there are requirements to remain in the A.C.T.S. Program. Due to the advanced and accelerated course of study that students undergo, students are expected to maintain a 3.0 GPA in their math and science courses (beginning with the Class of 2024). In the first semester where students experience a drop below this requirement, students will be provided support for the following semester to encourage performance recovery.

In the event that their GPA remains below a 3.0, students will be placed in a course of study that will not be detrimental to their overall high school performance. These decisions are made with parental involvement and the best interest of the student is the primary focus.  In addition to a GPA requirement, students are required to complete a CTAE pathway of study and participate in at least one after-school, summer or year-round extra-curricular activity OR academic competition.

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How to Participate

In order to minimize bias, participants are initially identified using a school developed Talent and Identification Process. The process uses student demonstration of specific STEM dispositions (creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, communication, motivation, agility and empathy) to identify potential talent. The benefit this process has allowed is for students who would otherwise not be nominated (or volunteer) for such a program, to be identified.

If students are not identified using that process, they may self-identify interest or a teacher may nominate a student. If students are nominated or express interest after the beginning of their 9th grade year, their class schedule will need to be evaluated to accommodate a change in course of study. In addition, teacher and student conferences may be suggested to ensure the shift makes sense for student projected academic performance. Student voice and choice is paramount.

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