Academy for Technology and the Classics

Infobox Secondary school
name = Academy for Technology and the Classics

city = Santa Fe
state = New Mexico
country = USA
colors = Red and Gold
district = Santa Fe Public Schools
mascot = Phoenix
grades = 7-12
established =
type = Charter School
enrollment = 250
motto =
principal = Ruth LeBlanc
yearbook =
newspaper = Scottish Kangaroo
website = http://www.atcschool.org/
address = 74 A Van Nu Po Road, Rancho Viejo
campus = ATC is a public charter school in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Education Program and Philosophy

The Academy for Technology and the Classics is a charter school that was founded in 2000 to provide a classical and technology-based approach to education in a public school setting. ATC was the third charter school established in Santa Fe, and the first in the city to open its doors to both middle and high school students. In keeping the student body small, the school's founding Board of Trustees sought to provide small classes and personalized instruction to students who thrived in such an environment.

ATC remains the smallest public high school in Santa Fe, and aims to incorporate students with a variety of learning styles and personal strengths in order to foster communication, literacy, critical thinking and the personal skills necessary for a successful future. The school’s mission is to provide an academically charged environment while instilling the “classic” moral values of respect, integrity, responsibility and honesty, which is seen in its increased graduation requirements and focus on personal interaction. [ [http://www.atcschool.org/mission%20statement.htm ATC Mission Statement] ]

History

ATC first opened its doors to students in January of 2001. Its first one and one-half years were in a building leased from and on the campus of the New Mexico National Guard. The school then moved to a portable classroom campus behind the Genoveva Chavez Community Center. The portable classrooms were provided by Santa Fe Public Schools and the other portable buildings (administration and restrooms) were leased by ATC. The land was made available by the City of Santa Fe.

In September of 2007 the school opened the doors at a new permanent location. This new facility is located in Rancho Viejo near the Institute of American Indian Arts, and was constructed on privately donated land. Currently only one building with classrooms has been erected, but as the school grows in the coming years, there are plans to build additional science and art classrooms as well as a gymnasium.

Student Body

ATC’s population for the 2006-07 school year was 250 students. The current charter allows a maximum potential school population of 400 students, but in order to maintain the academic integrity of school, a relatively small number of new students have been admitted each year. As the facilities and staff expand, the student body will be allowed to grow.

Approximately 16% of the students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

The ethnic breakdown is 58% Caucasian; 40% Hispanic; 1% Native American;<1% Black; and <1% Asian

The student/teacher ratio ranges from 15 to 20 students per teacher per class.

Notable Programs

The school provides innovative technology classes in areas such Web Page Design, 3-D Animation, and coding. Computer-based instruction in German, French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Russian and Latin is also available, which are combined with immersion sessions to help students grasp the foreign language of their choice.

ATC has the only school sponsored marimba band in New Mexico. It has played at many events over the past five years including the National Charter School Conference, which was held in Albuquerque in 2007.

Junior and senior students are encouraged to participate in a dual enrollment program with the Santa Fe Community College, which allows them to take advanced courses and earn college credit.

Accomplishments

In 2007 ATC was selected as one of America's Best High Schools by U.S. News & World Report, receiving a Bronze Medal. [ [http://www.usnews.com/listings/high-schools/new_mexico/academy_tech._%26_classic America's Best High Schools - ATC] ]

ATC has met No Child Left Behind Requirements in 2005, 2006, and 2007.

The school’s charter has been renewed and the current charter is in effect through June 2010.

80% of the school’s graduates attend post-secondary schools. Graduates have received admission to top universities including Yale University, Princeton University and Stanford University. Several students have also been named Regent and President Scholars at the University of New Mexico.

References

External links

* [http://www.atcschool.org ATC Website]
* [http://www.usnews.com/listings/high-schools/new_mexico/academy_tech._%26_classic US News Profile - Academy for Technology and the Classics]