Academy for Advanced Academics
| Academy for Advanced Academics | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
|
Miami, Florida United States | |
| Information | |
| Type | Public Secondary |
| Established | 2009 |
| School district | Miami-Dade County Public Schools |
| Principal | Dr. Omar Monteagudo |
| Grades | 11–12 |
| Campus | Suburban |
| Color(s) | Black, Gold, Silver |
| Mascot | Panthers |
The Academy for Advanced Academics (AAA) is a SACS accredited dual-enrollment secondary school in Miami, Florida. It is a part of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools System and is situated at the Modesto A. Maidique and Biscayne Bay campuses of Florida International University. For more information, visit http://www.aaafiu.org/.
About the school
The Academy for Advanced Academics is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
AAA is designed for motivated and academically talented 11th and 12th grade students whose needs are not met in the traditional high school setting. The Academy's rigid application process ensures the students will be able to excel in an environment where the allotted 8 courses per semester are either college courses or AP classes taught by the tight knit faculty. AAA South students apply from five senior high schools in the district ( Ronald W. Reagan/Doral High School, John A. Ferguson High School, G. Holmes Braddock High School, Felix Varela High School and Miami Coral Park High School). Academy for Advanced Academics (AAA) is a combined effort of Florida International University (FIU) and Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) initiated in the summer of the 2009 school year.
Each semester, students are enrolled in a minimum of three (3) college dual-enrollment courses, taught by FIU faculty, and four (4) high school courses, taught by M-DCPS faculty. This opportunity for acceleration offers the opportunity of graduating high school with an associate degree as well, the equivalent of two completed college years. The AAA student population maximum capacity is 100, with about only 50 students per graduating class.
The school population reflects the religious, ethnic, and cultural diversity of the community. Students and faculty are supported by parental and community involvement. The school prides itself on its family-like environment, small school setting, and its focus on the humanities and a traditional education. The small high school environment affords the opportunity for individual student tutoring, counseling, and mentoring by faculty and staff. The environment provides a uniquely supportive transition between secondary and post-secondary education.
Founding faculty and staff (2009) of the Academy for Advanced Academics includes English Teacher Karen Adams, Social Studies Teacher John Burkowski, Counselor Gianeris Chedebeaux, Mathematics Teacher Gemma Alberto, Activities Director Dennis Lindsay, Clerical Maria De Armas and Program Principal Omar Monteagudo. As of 2015, the current Counselor is Rita Estorino.
In 2011, a second chapter was opened on the Biscayne Bay Campus of FIU. AAA North currently hosts students from Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Senior High Biscayne Bay Campus and Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School. AAA North's founding faculty and staff includes English Teacher Martha Cabrera, Social Studies Teacher Arabpour-Pinder, Counselor Odalys Ochoa, Mathematics Teacher Barbara Schpilberg and Clerical Lorraine Bembry. As of 2016, the current Mathematics Teacher is Miguel Acosta and the current English Teacher is Natalia Romero.
Clubs and Organizations
The following clubs and organizations are active at the school:
- National Honor Society
- Mu Alpha Theta - Mathematics Honor Society
- RADIX - A.A.A.'s literary magazine.
- A.A.A.'s Mentor Club
- Key Club
- Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society - Model UN, Geography Bee, History Bee, PINNS, Debate Watch Parties
- Science National Honor Society
- FIRST Robotics Competition
- AAA Music Club