Loudoun Academy of Science

Loudoun County Academy of Science
Location
Loudoun County Academy of Science
Loudoun County Academy of Science
Loudoun County Academy of Science
42075 Academy Drive
Leesburg, VA 20175
Coordinates 39°02′33″N 77°33′01″W / 39.042637°N 77.550348°W / 39.042637; -77.550348
Information
Type Magnet school
Established 2005
School district Loudoun County Public Schools
Staff 4
Faculty 11
Grades 9-12
Color(s)      Green and      Black
Athletics None
Mascot Wolfpack
Information 703-444-7426
Director Jennifer Chang
Website Official Webpage

The Loudoun Academy of Science is a part-time alternative school program for high school students enrolled in Loudoun County Public Schools. The program was located at the campus of Dominion High School at 21326 Augusta Drive in Sterling, an area in unincorporated Loudoun County, Virginia, United States. During the summer of 2018, the Academy of Science was relocated to the Academies of Loudoun building located at 42075 Academy Drive in Leesburg. The Academies of Loudoun include the C. S. Monroe Technology Center, the Academy of Science, and the Academy of Engineering and Technology.

History and structure

The Academy was established in 2005 as a magnet program of science and technology for Loudoun County students. The purpose of the Academy is to provide advanced math and science courses for gifted students in science and technology. These courses include Advanced Placement courses, as well as classes devoted to scientific research. Science classes in the 9th and 10th grades integrate components of earth science, physics, and chemistry in preparation for AP level sciences in the 12th grade. The math curriculum integrates statistics and modeling in all of its courses, which range from Algebra to Multivariable Calculus and Differential Equations. [1] The Academy of Science differs from other similar magnet schools in the area such as Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST), in that the class sizes are significantly smaller; all classes, excluding the junior year Biology class, have fewer than 20 students.

Admissions

The admissions process is extremely competitive for 8th graders who wish to attend the Academy, based primarily on students' academic performance (grades) in middle school, a writing sample, as well as teacher recommendations.[2] Starting in 2009, the PSAT is an application requirement for public, private, and home schooling students. As the AOS science, math, and research curriculum has gained popularity over the years, the number of applicants have soared. Beginning in the 2014-2015 school year, the application process will be split into two parts, similar to that of other magnet schools like TJHSST. During the first phase of admissions, students are required to submit an online application and complete both the PSAT and the CCTDI.[2] After the first phase, approximately 1/3 of applicants are selected to participate in the final phase of admissions.[2] During the second and final phase, students are required to submit two teacher recommendations, six short answer questions, complete a supervised writing prompt, and complete the CCTST.[2] Letters of acceptance are usually mailed around late March. Prior to 2018, 68 students would enroll each year. Once the Academy moved into the Academies of Loudoun building, additional classroom space allowed 120 students to enroll in the rising freshman class each year.

Extracurricular activities and athletics

All students who attend the Academy go to classes located at the Academies of Loudoun every other school day where they take courses in math, science, and research. On alternating days, Academy students attend their home school, where they take courses in English, Social Studies, and other electives. The Loudoun County High Schools try to coordinate their schedules to allow Academy students to take extra curricular classes at the home school, but scheduling conflicts often arise. Students who attend the Loudoun Academy of Science are not considered to be students solely at the Academy as they are concurrently enrolled in both their home school and the Academy.

Academy students who are on athletic teams play for their home schools and their respective conferences.

The clubs available at the Academy of Science are the school's robotics team, FIRST Robotics RoboLoco Team 5338, and the school's student body council, Student Advisory Group for the Academy of Science (SAGAS). In addition, a variety of field trips are taken throughout the four years students spend at the Academy of Science. Until 2018, during sophomore year, students would take a week-long trip to the Bahamas to research marine biology. In junior year, the students travel to Wallops Island, Virginia to learn about ecology.

Research

Most of the Academy of Science is based on a junior/senior year research project. After a topic is chosen and approved, students work with a large spectrum of different lab devices and their mentor to further develop this research project. Students also are given the option to apply for a collaboration project with students of Hwa Chong Institution in Singapore. Participants in this program are then presented the opportunity to travel to Singapore for a research competition. In 2013, the school made arrangements with Daegu Science High School in South Korea to create a new collaborative research program.

In past years, students have developed numerous research projects that have been exceptionally successful—some of these had research papers were published, while others went on to place in many large science competitions such as the Siemens Westinghouse Science and Technology Competition, the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, and the Intel ISEF competition.

Awards and recognitions

  • 2010 - 1st in International Space Olympics
  • 2012 - 1st in International Space Olympics
  • 2013 - 2nd and 3rd in International Space Olympics
  • 2012-2013 - One of two schools within the United States invited to participate in the International Science Youth Forum in Singapore.

Future Expansion

The Loudoun County Public Schools system has expressed plans for an advanced STEM school which would combine the Academy of Science along with Monroe Technology Center and the Academy of Engineering and Technology. It is expected to be completed by 2018.

Coordinates: 39°1′33.4″N 77°22′26.4″W / 39.025944°N 77.374000°W / 39.025944; -77.374000

References

  1. ↑ "About Us / School Profile". www.lcps.org. Retrieved 2017-08-18.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Loudoun Academy of Science Admission Information Session Spring 2017" (PDF). Loudoun Academy of Science. Feb 5, 2017.
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