Academy programs still adjusting

The administration is continually finalizing changes to the academies program.

When teachers were assigned to academies as part of the redesigned program established this year, some teachers were placed in academies different from the subjects they teach, according to Assistant Principal Patricia Hurley.

Hurley said that placing teachers of various subjects in different academies helps create balance within each program. "When you're looking at things holistically, it is good to have representation from each of the departments in each of the academies," she said.

Social studies teacher David Whitacre was assigned to the Science, Math and Technology academy. He said that because of his background in history and anthropology, he would have preferred to work in the International Studies academy. "Science, Math and Technology is a real stretch," he said.

Math teacher Peter Engelmann said that although he was assigned to Media Literacy, he has not had difficulty serving as a mentor for students in his academy. He has been assigned 10 students to meet with periodically to discuss grades and study habits, but not the material in Media Literacy courses. "I ask them how they're doing in their classes," Engelmann said. "We don't talk about literacy topics."

Engelmann is one of three math teachers assigned to Media Literacy, along with two science teachers, one physical education teacher and 24 teachers from departments more closely related to the academy, Hurley said.

Social studies teacher Joann Malone was concerned that her Peace Studies class, like other electives not listed as suggested courses by any of the academies, may be dropped from the list of course offerings. "I think it's just a matter of time before we lose a number of wonderful courses like Peace Studies that are not required by the academies," she said.

Head Academies Coordinator Jennifer Kempf said that electives not under any academy will continue to be offered as long as enough students express interest and register for them, but Malone believes that students may gradually stop choosing electives like Peace Studies in favor of taking more academy courses. "The academies are now seen as the structures around which all of the scheduling of classes is done," Malone said.

Academy leaders and guest speakers will present updated information to freshmen, sophomores and juniors about each academy program next Tuesday.

Discrepancies in academy sizes

International Studies coordinator Paul Moose said he was concerned about the discrepancy between the number of students in his academy compared to the other academies.

While at least 203 students belong to each of the other academies, only 46 are enrolled in International Studies.

Moose attributed the lack of participation in his academy to students' inability to relate International Studies courses to potential careers. "Of all five academies, it's the one that is the most difficult to make a concrete connection to," he said.

Moose is working to expand student interest by inviting several guest speakers to describe potential careers in the international studies field to freshmen, sophomores and juniors on Academy Day, which will be held on Dec. 19.