The Science Academy of South Texas

Infobox_School
name = Science Academy of South Texas


imagesize = 50
motto =
established = 1989
type = Public high school
district = South Texas Independent School District
grades = 9-12
enrollment = 640 (as of 2005-06)
faculty = 44.6 (on FTE basis)
ratio = 14.3
principal = Michael Aranda
mascot = Vitruvian Man
location = Mercedes, Texas
country = USA
information =
website = http://scitech.stisd.net

The Science Academy of South Texas, also known as 'SciTech', is a high school in Mercedes, Texas, United States, as part of the South Texas Independent School District.

The school serves as an alternative to larger high schools of local independent school districts for students interested in pursuing careers in science, technology, and engineering. The school's unique curriculum has given it national recognition. [ [http://www.ed.gov/news/newsletters/innovator/2005/1202.html The Education Innovator #43] , United States Department of Education, December 2, 2005. Accessed November 7, 2007.] Being a public magnet school, open enrollment has been the school's policy since its creation, although application is required. The Science Academy of South Texas is part of the South Texas Independent School District.

The Science Academy of South Texas has notable partnerships with Rice University, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Texas-Pan American and South Texas College. [ [http://www.stisd.net/scitech.html The Science Academy of South Texas] ,South Texas Independent School District. Accessed November 7, 2007.] Its sister school South Texas High School for Health Professions, also known as Med High, presides on the same campus. Both schools are served by Biblioteca Las Americas, located at equal distance from both schools.

The Science Academy has no athletics department but students participate in academic competitions regularly. In 2008, The Science Academy gym was completed, no longer sharing with the neighboring Med High.

A recent study has labeled The Science Academy as a "dropout factory," citing a 55% retention rate. [ [http://hosted.ap.org/specials/interactives/wdc/dropout/index.html "Dropout Factories"] , Associated Press. Accessed November 7, 2007.] However, this study did not take into the account that the Academy does not have any students zoned into it; all students come from other area high schools and many of those students simply returned to their regular high school.

As of the 2005-06 school year, the school had an enrollment of 640 students and 44.6 classroom teachers (on a FTE basis), for a student-teacher ratio of 14.3. [http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=4837150&ID=483715000429 The Science Academy] , National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed November 7, 2007.]

Science Academy and other STISD schools were called "dropout factories." A dropout factory is a term that refers to students dropping out of school. In this case, Science Academy cannot be called a dropout factory due to the students dropping out of the school return to their home high schools, and not necessarily drop out of school.

In 2007, principal Edward Argueta left and was replaced by Michael Aranda, who was an assistant principal at Med High at the time.The current assistant principals include Nora Casarez and Julian Garcia III.

Awards and recognition

During the 2005-06 school year, the Science Academy of South Texas was recognized with the Blue Ribbon School Award of Excellence by the United States Department of EducationAshby, Nicole. [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0ZFD/is_3_5/ai_n17212655 "Rigorous curriculum puts South Texas students on track for high-tech careers"] , "The Achiever", March-April 2006. Accessed November 7, 2007. "In addition to being ranked eighth by Newsweek in 2003 among the 100 top public high schools in the country, the school last year was named a No Child Left Behind--Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education."] [ [http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/list-2003.pdf U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Schools Program: Schools Recognized 2003 through 2006 (PDF)] , United States Department of Education. Accessed May 11, 2006.] , the highest award an American school can receive. [ [http://www.journalinquirer.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17475750&BRD=985&PAG=461&dept_id=161556&rfi=6 CIBA cited as one of the best by Education Department] , "Journal Inquirer", November 16, 2006. "The Blue Ribbon award is given only to schools that reach the top 10 percent of their state's testing scores over several years or show significant gains in student achievement. It is considered the highest honor a school can achieve."] [Viers Mill School Wins Blue Ribbon; School Scored High on Statewide Test; "The Washington Post". September 29, 2005 "For their accomplishments, all three schools this month earned the status of Blue Ribbon School, the highest honor the U.S. Education Department can bestow upon a school."]

In 2003, it was placed 8th on "Newsweek" magazine's listing of "America's Best High Schools". [ [http://www.bcm.edu/news/item.cfm?newsID=166 "Science Academy of South Texas ranked 8th in nation"] , Baylor College of Medicine press release, dated June 6, 2003. Accessed November 7, 2007.]

In its November 30, 2007, "U.S. News & World Report" ranked Science Academy #23 on its list of America's Best High Schools. Sci Tech's sister schools South Texas Business Education & Technology Academy (BETA) came in at 54th place, and South Texas High School for Health Professions (Med High) was ranked 64th. [ [http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/high-schools/2007/11/29/gold-medal-schools.html?s_cid=related-links:TOP Gold Medal Schools] , "U.S. News & World Report", November 29, 2007. Accessed December 11, 2007.]

See also

* Magnet school

References

External links

* [http://scitech.stisd.net/ The Science Academy of South Texas]