Carroll Medical Academy Intellectually stimulating programs like the Carroll Medical Academy (CMA) help Carroll ISD stand out among the rest. The Carroll Medical Academy (CMA) is an advanced high school academic program for students interested in pursuing careers in the medical field. Designed for students in grades 9-12, CMA offers a math and science intensive curriculum that encourages students to maximize their number of AP science and math courses while in high school. School officials say the rigor of courses offered in the CMA program allows students to experience courses that better prepare them for their post-secondary experience. In addition to the challenging curriculum, students are provided opportunities for specialized training such as CPR and first-aid certification. Medical professionals are invited as guest lecturers, and students interact with professionals during career day activities, field trips, service projects, and medical internship opportunities. The vision for CMA started more than a decade ago. Initially, CMA enrollment was open to students outside of CISD who provided their own transportation. It started in 2004 with just 12 students. In the first two years of the academy, the number of students applying to CMA doubled. The students developed their own logo and began to bond as a tight-knit group. Carroll Medical Academy Director, Sherry Martin, has led the program since 2005. Before becoming a teacher, Martin worked in various medical roles. Martin has grown the program through parent involvement, sponsors, and internships. A big boost in launching the program came from a twoyear $100,000 grant from the Hudson Foundation. This helped supplement the costs for the program from equipment to staffing. The Hudson Foundation helps support education and discovery experiences for schools and organizations in the North Texas and Kansas City areas. 50 • VOL 1
As the Carroll Medical Academy continues to be the premier high school pre-med education program in the area, the dedicated CMA Boosters also see the potential for growth over the next 10 years. “Our future is bright,” said CMA Booster President Trish Ballew. Ballew says the Carroll Medical Academy will continue to grow in the years that lie ahead. In order to do that, she says the CMA needs community support and involvement. “I see a great chance to expand our internship program as more and more medical professionals move into the city of Southlake.” The number of physicians participating the annual CMA Career Day event has grown from a handful of pediatricians and orthodontists to over two-dozen practicing medical professionals from wide-ranging fields. “From an academic standpoint, the Carroll Medical Academy has been a true winner for the CISD,” Ballew said. Interest in supporting CMA is necessary to its growth, and Ballew says what is good for CMA is good for Carroll ISD. “Overall, CMA students represent approximately 12 percent of the 9-12 grade high school population and are among some of the highest-achieving students in the Dallas-Fort Worth area,” Ballew said. As student participation grows within CMA, the boosters are always looking forward. Booster club members are seeking new challenges and creating new opportunities for students, organizing field trips, and fundraising. Ballew says the boosters also reach out to new freshmen parents to help them understand what lies ahead for their student. “We strive to make changes every year in an effort to continually fine tune events the boosters plan and organize,” Ballew said. Ballew added that student input will always be important and necessary to create future opportunities for CMA students. After a decade, the vision continues to grow with 50 students graduating from the 2015 CMA class. INSIDE CARROLL