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MAST Academy #7 in the state
Eight Miami-Dade public high schools earned their way onto Newsweek magazine's 2011 list of the 500 Best High Schools in America. A total of 43 schools from Florida made the prestigious list, which was released this week.
Leading the list in ranking order for Miami-Dade's high schools is School for Advanced Studied (28), MAST Academy (46), Coral Reef (53), Miami Palmetto (251), Doctors Charter (374), Mater Academy Charter (404), Mater Lakes Academy (427), and Doral Academy Charter (456).
Newsweek, which has been ranking the top U.S. high schools for more than a decade, revamped its methodology for 2011. The new criteria include six components: graduation rate, college matriculation rate, and AP tests taken per graduate, plus average SAT/ACT scores, average AP/IB scores, and AP courses offered per graduate.
A total of 1,100 schools were assessed to produce the final list of the top 500 high schools. For a complete list of schools, visit the Newsweek website at: www.newsweek.com/content/newsweek/2011/06/19/the-best-high-schools-in-america.html
Somerset Academy South Homestead Elementary "made magic."
That's how teacher Melissa Alvarez describes the charter school's leap from a state-issued D grade last year, to an A for 2010-2011. It was the largest grade improvement and highest overall grade of any elementary school in Homestead.
Rather than magic, teachers, parents and students give more likely explanations for the off-the-charts improvement: all the Saturdays, early mornings and late afternoons worked by every staff member (from the principal to the PE teacher); a shift in school culture to better respect and understand students; and a newfound focus on data and educational technologies.
"Every child is teachable," said Assistant Principal Layda Morales. "It's just making them believe in themselves."
MIAMI (June 02, 2011) – As children of Hispanic immigrants and a majority being the first in their families to attend and graduate from college, 28 Mater Academy Public Charter High School seniors will receive their high school diplomas on June 10, having also earned their associates degrees from Miami Dade College through Mater Academy's highly-successful dual enrollment program.
The distinguished high school students, who graduated from Miami Dade College onApril 30th, were among the largest group of graduating seniors within Miami-Dade County Public Schools to earn this recognition. This fall, these students will enter universities across the country as juniors.
"We encourage all of our students to challenges themselves by taking college level courses," said Judi Marty, Principal of Mater Academy, located in Hialeah. "The dual-enrollment program helps students earn college credits and raise their GPA, but most importantly, it provides them with an opportunity to conquer their fear of the unknown, as many are the first in their families to attend college."
Hundreds of posters of smiling seniors line the walls outside the media center at MaterAcademy, each listing students' names and what college they have been accepted to. At the center hangs a large color photograph of the 28 dual-enrollment students in black caps and gowns at their graduation from Miami Dade College.
"It is a wonderful honor for these 28 students, who have simultaneously balanced Mater's rigorous high school curriculum with Miami Dade College classes, after-school activities, sports, service and interest clubs, and honor societies," adds Marty. "This program prepares them for the college environment, while giving them an incredible amount of confidence to succeed in their future endeavors."
Confidence is definitely not lacking for these graduates: Junior year, twins Andrew and Michael Rodriguez were already taking AP calculus, history, English and Spanish, when they asked the school principal to add AP chemistry to their schedule. When told the class was not yet offered at Mater Academy, the Rodriguez brothers developed their own plan, which the faculty fully supported. Working with Mater Academy science teacher Kelly Gimbel and her college textbooks, the brothers conquered AP chemistry and passed the course.
"You are motivated to do more here," explains fellow Miami Dade College graduate Victor Garcia, who will be the first in his family to graduate from college, and will attend Mercer University in Georgia in the fall.
Cornell University bound Veronica Dagostino echoes the same sentiment: "We were encouraged to take classes beyond our high school schedules and were introduced to a world of possibilities," says the Hialeah resident. A member of Future Business Leaders of America and the Mater Academy dance and soccer teams, Dagostino earned a full academic scholarship to Cornell University and is among the 155 students selected to attend its pre-freshman summer program.
Mater Academy students are encouraged to take Advance Placement and college-level coursesoffered through Miami Dade College, Florida International University and Florida National College. Beginning in the 10th grade, the participating Mater Academy students begin their dual enrollment courses. Additionally, they are required to go through a mock college application process, including requesting information from three universities, completing applications and financial aid forms, and writing entrance essays.
"This exercise serves to ease the transition from high school to college," adds Silvia Macho, College Assistant Program (CAP) Advisor. "Taking students on college tours is not enough to prepare them for what is ahead. Mater Academy's program prepares them to handle a college workload, understand what is expected of them, and improve their chances of succeeding and graduating."
In recent years, Mater Academy Charter High School's graduation rate has exceeded 95 percent -- a figure above the U.S. average of 71 percent, and the national average for Hispanic students. According to a U.S. Census Bureau press release dated June 2004, an estimated 57 percent of Hispanics earned high school diplomas and roughly 11 percent received bachelor's degrees. Mater Academy has continued to outperform previous year records since opening its doors in 2002. In 2010, 15 Mater Academy students graduated from high school and Miami Dade College through the dual-enrollment program; eleven students earned a 2-year college degree in 2009.
Mater Academy's strong academic track record has been recognized by the Florida Department of Education and Miami-Dade County Public Schools. In 2009, Mater Academy Middle was named Breakthrough School by the National Association of Secondary School Principals – one of 10 schools recognized nationwide for dramatically improving student achievement. In 2008 and 2009, Mater Academy was named one of the nation's top 500 high schools by U.S. News & World Report's ranking of "America's Best High Schools."
Charter schools are among the fastest growing school choice options in the state of Florida. As of 2010, there are over 400 charter schools, the majority of them located in the southernmost part of the state. Charter schools are tuition-free public schools that, with increased accountability, are able to provide an innovative educational approach to the diverse groups of students they serve. Come and find out why a charter school may be a great career option for you! Benefits include: Competitive salaries, Incentives and supplements available to enhance your base pay, Ongoing professional development opportunities, Paid employee benefits, New education support system and new teacher academy, Leadership training Program, Opportunities for growth and advancement and Tuition reimbursement for continuing education.
The Charter Schools Job Fair will be held on Saturday, May 7th from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at Mater Academy Middle/High School located at 7901 NW 103rd Street, Hialeah Gardens, Florida, 33016. Parking will be available on site and in locations directed. Charter Schools represented will include the Mater Academy family of charter schools, the Somerset Academy family of charter schools, and a variety of other charter schools located in both Miami-Dade and Broward County.
Candidates should arrive with a completed instructional or noninstructional application. This should be included with resumes, certification(s), credentials, transcripts (if applicable), and any other documentation appropriate to give to the potential school employers. Candidates will be greeted by school staff and may drop off resumes and meet school representatives to find out more about the charter schools they choose to visit. Each school will have a posted list of positions for which they are hiring; however, candidates may drop off resumes and ask questions to schools in which they are interested, regardless of the school's hiring needs. Candidates may be interviewed and hired for both full and part-time positions in the following areas: PK-12th grade teachers, administrators, curriculum coaches, ESE Specialists, office and support personnel, cafeteria staff, security and maintenance staff, athletic coaches, aftercare counselors, and tutors. Educational requirements for positions vary.
For directions or additional questions, please call 305-828-1886. Thank you!
Miami-Dade County, FL -- Each spring the College Board presents Inspiration Awards to three of America's most improved secondary schools. These schools are recognized for their outstanding college-preparation programs and partnerships among teachers, parents and community organizations.
On Thursday, April 21, students, educators, administrators, parents and local dignitaries will pack the auditorium at Mater Academy Charter School for an assembly as the school is presented with a 2011 Inspiration Award from the College Board — and a check for $25,000 — for being one of the three most inspiring secondary schools in America.
WASHINGTON, DC – International Studies Charter High School (ISCHS), a dual language public charter school in Miami, Florida, has been named a winner of the first The School of the Year Award organized by the Embassy of Spain in the United States.
According to the Education Office – Embassy of Spain, "the award is given to schools in the USA that show excellence in language education programs, specifically CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) programs in English and Spanish." ISCHS earned second place in the national competition. Victor Rodriguez, ISCHS Principal, will be presented an award at a special ceremony on May 6th hosted by the Spanish Ambassador, Mr. Jorge Dezcallar at the Embassy of Spain in Washington, D.C.
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan recognized 304 schools as 2010 National Blue Ribbon Schools. Among the list of high-performing schools is Mater Academy East Charter Elementary School located at 450 SW 4th Street in Little Havana.
The award honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools whose students achieve at very high levels or have made significant progress and helped close gaps in achievement especially among disadvantaged and minority students.
North Miami Beach's council swooned with excitement over a passed resolution that would lay the groundwork for a K-8 charter school in the city.
Councilman John Julien thanked a representative from Mater Academy Inc., the organization that would oversee the operation of the school, for making the council's ``wildest dreams come true.''
FLORIDA – January 24, 2010 -- Just days after a devastating earthquake shattered Haiti, students at Somerset Academy Charter Schools in Texas and South Florida began fundraising efforts to aid those affected by the disaster. Other local charter schools in South Florida also launched fundraising initiatives, and secured a $20,000 donation match from Academica – a charter school service provider. By Monday, January 25th the charter school students, faculty and administrators had raised $34,942, bringing the total donation to $54,942.
Miami-Dade County, FL -- Mater Academy Charter Middle School in Hialeah Gardens has been named a Breakthrough School by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and MetLife Foundation. The MetLife Foundation-NASSP Breakthrough Schools program recognizes middle level and high schools that are high achieving or are dramatically improving student achievement and serve large numbers of students living in poverty.
A Miami-based management company with a record of helping schools in low- income areas earn top grades was hired by the city of Palm Bay to oversee Patriot Charter.
The city council voted Tuesday night to have Academica take over for Charter Schools USA effective immediately.
The Archdiocese of Miami is working with Academica, South Florida's largest charter school management company, to convert six Catholic schools it plans to close in June into nonreligious charter schools by the fall.
The Mater Gardens Academy Charter School is a 58,000-square-foot facility in Miami-Dade County, Fla. The school was completed in August in 2007 and is designed to accommodate up to 800 students. The school is situated within a planned residential community and was built as part of the developer's requirement to mitigate the projected student-station needs of residents.
The Mater Academy Performing Arts Pavilion is a 33,000-sqaure-foot facility in Hialeah Gardens, Fla. The building is adjacent to Mater Academy Charter High School's main campus, and provides classroom and performing-arts support for the existing school. The facility is composed of 22 conventional classrooms, a drama room, multimedia lab and 200-seat lecture/multimedia hall.
A charter high school in Pembroke Pines did something few schools can boast about — had 100 percent of the senior class graduate and earn more than $1.1 million in scholarships.
All 105 seniors at Somerset Academy Charter High School will attend colleges across the country this fall, including Rutgers, Duke and Boston universities. Students earned $1,121,874 in scholarships from Florida's Bright Futures program as well as academic awards from schools.
MIAMI, FL, June 2008 - Academica, one of the largest, high-performing charter school service and support organizations in the country, announced that Mater Academy Charter High School was listed among the nation’s top 1,300 high schools, as reported by Newsweek Magazine’s recent ranking of “America’s Top Public High Schools.”
Mater Academy – a public charter school which serves predominantly Hispanic families - - was ranked number 228, placing it in the top 1% of public high schools across the nation. Newsweek compiled this list out of more than 18,000 public high schools in the country, evaluating each institutions graduation rates, percentage of students passing advanced placement (AP) exams, and participation in dual enrollment courses.
Judith Marty no admite fallas, y es una fiel creyente de que el esfuerzo es una vía segura para obtener éxito en los estudios y en la vida.
Frank Jiménez no acepta la mediocridad, y considera que tener buenos maestros es una de las claves que determina la reputación de una escuela.
Ambos dirigen Mater Academy y Doral Academy, respectivamente, las únicas dos escuelas charter (semiprivadas) de la Florida incluidas entre las 500 mejores secundarias de la nación por la prestigiosa publicación U.S. News & World Repor
According to the US News & World Report edition released December 10, 2007, Doral Academy High School and Mater Academy Charter High in Miami are two of the best schools in the nation.
These predominantly Hispanic public charter schools are listed among the "Best 400 High Schools in the Nation" in the December issue of US News & World Report. A total of six Miami-Dade County high schools were named Gold and Silver Award schools. Just 28 schools in Florida are listed among the Best High Schools. Doral High and Mater High - the school with the highest percentage of minority and disadvantaged students in Florida to make the list - were also the only Florida charter schools to make the list.
About 92,000 students in private, taxpayer-funded schools have equal and, in some cases, more academic success than their counterparts in traditional public schools, according to a report marking the 10-year anniversary of the charter school movement.
