School profile 2016-2017

The Montgomery Academy

3240 Vaughn Road • Montgomery, AL 36106 • (334) 272-8210 • Fax (334) 277-3240 CEEB Code: 011897 www.montgomeryacademy.org

SCHOOL PROFILE 2016-2017 Jay Spencer Head of School John McWilliams Associate Head of School Ed Billingslea Upper School Director Stuart Bonner Jay Rye College Advisors Christine Watkins College Advising Assistant Connie Johnson Registrar

Founded in 1959, The Montgomery Academy is an independent, non-sectarian, college preparatory day school for students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. For the current year, the Academy has approximately 761 students enrolled, including 257 in the Upper School with 59 in the Class of 2017, all of whom plan to attend college. The student population includes 19 international students. Through the school’s Honor Code and community service, the Academy strives to build personal integrity and character in every student.

The faculty at The Montgomery Academy has consistently demonstrated noteworthy expertise in individual academic fields and represents a diverse array of scholars from all regions of the United States and from several countries. The faculty currently consists of graduates of many of the nation’s finest colleges and graduate programs, earning honors such as Fulbright Seminar scholarships, two Klingenstein Summer Institute Fellowships and a NAIS Teacher of the Future. The professional staff consists of 119 men and women, 71 of whom hold advanced degrees.

MISSION STATEMENT: The Montgomery Academy develops leaders committed to honor, scholarship, service and the pursuit of excellence.

ACADEMIC PROGRAM: The school year is divided into two semesters with an examination period at the end of each semester. Grade report dates for 2016-2017 are in October, December, March, and May. The Montgomery Academy’s curriculum is entirely college preparatory. Choosing from more than 84 different Upper School courses in nine disciplines, students are required to carry at least five academic courses at all times. All senior courses must be passed to qualify for graduation. Twenty Advanced Placement and Honors sections are offered.

In 2015–2016, 62 percent of students enrolled in grades 10–12 and 81 percent of seniors took at least one AP exam. In May 2016, 240 exams were written with 79 percent scoring 3, 4 or 5; 48 percent were written scoring 4 or 5.

TRANSCRIPT: As a matter of school policy, students are not ranked. Each transcript reflects a cumulative grade average calculation (GAC) determined by the following method: • Only courses taken at the Academy are used in determining a student’s grade average.

• Numerical course grades are averaged to calculate a student’s grade average. This mean is based on a 100-point scale with no grade exceeding 100.

• To acknowledge the added rigor of Honors and Advanced Placement courses, grades in these courses are weighted five points. This weighting is included in the grade reported on the transcript and in the calculation of a student’s grade average (GAC).

• Successful remediation of a failed course will result in a course grade of 70 for grade average calculations. If a course is repeated, the average of the two course grades or a 70 will be recorded, whichever is higher.

REQUIRED 2017 GRADUATION CREDITS (23 UNITS) English 4 units Mathematics 3 units including Algebra II History 3 units including Craft of History,

The Modern World or AP World

U.S. History or AP U.S. History, Science 3 units including Biology, Chemistry,

Essential Physics or Physics World Language 3 units of one language (Spanish, French, Latin) Physical Education 1 unit Technology .5 unit Fine Arts 1 unit Electives 4.5 units (including math or science

in the senior year) All units must be earned while in grades 9-12. Except in the case of a transfer student, all required credits must be earned at the Academy or at an institution approved by the Division Director.

SAT SUMMARY – CLASS OF 2017*

GRADING SYSTEM AT THE ACADEMY 90-100 EXCELLENT 80-89 GOOD 70-79 SATISFACTORY 65-69 POOR* Below 65 FAILURE

*may not advance in the discipline without remediation or repeating the course

GRADE DISTRIBUTION – CLASS OF 2017* *as of June 2016 (through junior year)

GAC Students 90-100 25 80-89 30 70-79 4 below 70 0 Class of 2017 cumulative GAC: 59 students, MEAN: 89

NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM 2016-2017: Two Semifinalists; Three Commended 2015-2016: Four Semifinalists; Three Finalists 2014-2015: Three Finalists; Three Commended

* year not complete; scores through June 2016 **may reflect multiple test results per student.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (2015-2016)

Critical Reading

Math

Writing

Range

1

3

4

700-800

5

5

6

600-690

6

3

2

500-590

0

0

0

400-490

0

1

0

300-390

0

0

0

200-290

Students enrolled in Advanced Placement courses are required to take the relevant AP exam. In 2015-2016 240 exams were given.

Art History

Physics C: Mechanics

Biology

Spanish Language & Culture

Calculus AB

Spanish Literature & Culture

Calculus BC

Studio Art – 2D Design

Chemistry

Studio Art – Drawing

Critical Reading

Math

Writing

Range

550-600

590-670

620-660

2017 Middle 50%

560-660

520-670

540-640

2016 Middle 50%

English Language/ Composition

Comparative Government & Politics

540-680

560-720

570-680

2015 Middle 50%

English Literature/Composition

U.S. History

Psychology

World History

ACT SUMMARY – CLASS OF 2017* *year not complete; scores through June 2016 **may reflect multiple test results per student.

Range Number of Students 32-35 8* 28-31 38* 24-27 54* 20-23 42* under 20 11* Class of 2017: Middle 50% scored between 22-28 Class of 2016: Middle 50% scored between 23-29 Class of 2015: Middle 50% scored between 22-28

ADVANCED PLACEMENT SCHOLAR AWARDS 2015-2016:

14 AP Scholars 11 AP Scholars with Honor 21 AP Scholars with Distinction 2 National AP Scholars

2014-2015:

20 AP Scholars 16 AP Scholars with Honor 17 AP Scholars with Distinction 3 National AP Scholars 1 International Diploma

2013-2014:

15 AP Scholars 11 AP Scholars with Honor 16 AP Scholars with Distinction 2 National AP Scholars

2013-2016 COURSES OF STUDY ENGLISH Yearlong Courses American Literature British Literature World Literature English Literature & Composition – AP English Language & Composition– AP Semester Seminar Courses Senior English MATHEMATICS Algebra I Geometry Algebra II – Regular, Honors Pre-Calculus – Regular, Honors Calculus Calculus AB – AP Calculus BC – AP Statistics SCIENCE Biology ­– Regular, AP Chemistry – Regular, Honors, AP Essentials of Physics

Physics Physics C: Mechanics –AP Anatomy I & II Nutrition & Food Science Environmental Science Simple Machines Science Olympiad

FOREIGN LANGUAGES French I, II, III, IV, V Spanish I, IV, V Spanish II, III – Regular, Honors Spanish Language – AP Spanish Literature – AP Latin I, II, III, IV

HISTORY The Craft of History The Modern World World History – AP U.S. History – Regular, AP Government & Politics: Comparative – AP Government & Politics: U.S. – AP Psychology – Regular, AP Introduction to Economics U.S. Government Comparative Religions Philosophy Human Development Contemporary Politics

FINE ARTS Computer Graphics & Design Color & Design Contemporary Art Processes The Artist’s Journal Ceramics Printmaking Digital Imagery & Photography Sculpture Ceramics II Painting I & II Advanced Portfolio Studio Art – AP Art History – AP Speech & Debate Chorus Rock to Bach Applied Vocal Music

Music Technology Dramatic Arts I & II Film Analysis Improvisational Theater Theater in Action Theater in Production TECHNOLOGY Multimedia Design Website Design Independent Study in Technology Digital Filmmaking Intro to Programming Digital Literacies Introduction to Engineering Advanced Topics in Engineering PHYSICAL EDUCATION Physical Education OTHER ELECTIVES Interpersonal Relations Yearbook­­­

DISTRIBUTION OF SELECTED JUNIOR YEAR UNWEIGHTED GRADES CLASS OF 2017 DEPARTMENT

100-90 89-90 79-70 Below 69

English

DEPARTMENT

100-90 89-90 79-70 Below 69

Science

World Literature

12

18

0

0

English Language & Composition AP

17

11

2

0

Algebra II

1

2

6

2

Pre-Calculus

4

8

16

2

Pre-Calculus, Honors

1

5

0

0

Calculus

1

3

1

0

Calculus AB AP

5

3

0

0

U.S. History

3

16

7

0

U.S. History AP

13

19

1

0

Mathematics

History

Essentials of Physics

0

17

7

0

Physics

14

10

5

0

Physics C: Mechanics AP

2

6

0

0

French II

0

1

0

0

French III

1

0

2

0

French IV

7

0

0

0

Spanish II

0

0

2

0

Spanish III

6

8

4

1

Spanish III Honors

4

0

0

0

Spanish IV

5

9

3

0

Spanish Language, AP

0

2

0

0

Latin II

0

0

1

0

Latin III

0

0

1

0

Latin IV

3

0

0

0

World Language

COLLEGE MATRICULATION 2012-2016 Alabama State University Appalachian State University Auburn University Auburn University at Montgomery Baylor University Belmont University Birmingham-Southern College Boston University Brevard University Brown University Case Western Reserve University Clemson University College of Charleston Columbia University Davidson College Emory University Florida State University Georgia Institute of Technology Hillsdale College Howard University Huntingdon College Ithaca College Kansas State University Louisiana State University Millsaps College Mississippi State University New York University Northeast Mississippi Community College Oberlin College Oklahoma State University Oxford College of Emory University Pace University Pennsylvania State University Princeton University Rhodes College Samford University

The Montgomery Academy admits students of every color, gender, national or ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, or other legally protected status to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.

MEMBER

Savannah College of Art & Design Sewanee: The University of the South Southern Methodist University Stanford University State University of New York at Purchase College Texas Christian University Trinity College United States Air Force Academy University of Alabama University of Alabama at Birmingham University of Alabama in Huntsville University of California Los Angeles University of California, Berkeley University of Denver University of Georgia University of Illinois University of Maryland University of Minnesota University of Mississippi University of Montevallo University of North Alabama University of Notre Dame University of Oklahoma University of South Alabama University of Southern California University of St. Andrews University of Texas at Dallas University of Virginia Wake Forest University Washington & Lee University Washington University in St. Louis Western Kentucky University Wofford College

The Montgomery Academy is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Southern Association of Independent Schools. It is a member of The College Board, the Council for Spiritual and Ethical Education, Educational Records Bureau, School Scholarship Service, Southern Association for College Admission Counseling, the National Association for College Admission Counseling, Cum Laude Society, and the National, Southern and Alabama Associations of Independent Schools.