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Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science at WPI

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Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science at WPI
Address
Map
85 Prescott Street

Worcester, Massachusetts

United States
Coordinates42°17′18.55″N 71°47′59.19″W / 42.2884861°N 71.7997750°W / 42.2884861; -71.7997750
Information
TypePublic Magnet
Established1992
FounderArthur E. Chase[2][3][4][5]
DirectorAnne Ludes [1]
Grades11 - 12
Number of studentsapprox. 100
Color(s)Maroon   and gray  
Websitewww.massacademy.org

The Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science at WPI (Mass Academy/MAMS) is a public, non-residential magnet school in Worcester, Massachusetts, to serve academically advanced youth in grades eleven and twelve in math, science, and technology.

Overview

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The school emphasizes math and science within a comprehensive, interactive program. The rigor of the junior year classes exceeds high school honors and AP, with more than 1200 hours of instruction.[7]

In October 2018, Niche.com selected the Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science as the best public high school in Massachusetts with a student-teacher ratio of 14:1, a diversity grade of A, and a college prep grade of A+.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "Massachusetts Academy of Math & Science at WPI Appoints New Director". 15 June 2021.
  2. ^ Susan L.J. Dickinson (May 11, 1992). "Although Some Cynics Call Them Elitist, Math And Science Magnet Schools Flourish". The Scientist magazine. Retrieved 28 July 2014. Such statistics have convinced Massachusetts state senator Arthur E. Chase that--especially in a state known for its high concentration of technology-based industry--something must be done to alter the bleak predictions for the scientific future of the U.S. His response will take shape in September with the opening of the Massachusetts Academy of Mathematics and Science, a state-funded public high school that will be located on the grounds of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Chase has designed this magnet school with the help of a wide range of concerned educational groups, and, with unanimous approval by the state board of education in hand, he is confident that the bill establishing the school will pass the state legislature in June and the school can open in September. Although this program incorporates several facets of other, established "magnet" science high schools across the country--such as the Bronx High School of Science in New York and the Durham-based North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM)--Chase believes that his plan, based on a public-private partnership with a large dose of community outreach built in, may be the best yet. "This is different and unique," says Chase. "We're going to establish this program at a fraction of the cost that most other states have spent, and we're getting more for our buck." Chase says the school will cost taxpayers roughly the same amount per student as other Massachusetts public schools and about half of what some magnet schools cost.
  3. ^ Karen Diegmueller (February 19, 1992). "Academy of Math, Science Proposed in Massachusetts". Education Week. Retrieved 28 July 2014. The pilot project, proposed by Senators Arthur E. Chase and Matthew J. Amorello, would enable between 50 and 100 students per grade to attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute beginning in September 1993
  4. ^ "Massachusetts to Open a Public Science School". New York Times. February 19, 1992. Retrieved 28 July 2014. The new Massachusetts Academy of Mathematics and Science would be the first such nonresidential, state-financed school of excellence to be housed at an existing college, said one sponsor, State Senator Arthur E. Chase, a Republican from Worcester.
  5. ^ Jack Minch (7 November 2011). "Academy of Math classes plus dedicated students equals success". Fitchburg Sentinel & Enterprise. Retrieved 9 January 2015. The school was the dream of former state Sen. Arthur Chase. The state spends money on low-income students to help them but not enough was being done to help the high achievers, Chase said. "It's those who are the highest achievers," he said from his retirement home in Naples, Fla. "It's not the brightest, it's a school for highest achievers." He ran for office in 1991 on a platform of improving math and science education so when he took office he formed a bi-partisan caucus of legislators from central Massachusetts to develop political clout. He designed the concept for the academy based on a model of a school in North Carolina. Chase quickly understood he could not replicate the school. It had been built from the ground up and when he took office the state was facing a nearly $1 billion deficit, Chase said. He came up with the idea of a public-private partnership. "The thought came in my head, the best private colleges and universities in the country are right here in Massachusetts, why can't we team up and use some of their resources instead of rebuilding," Chase recalled. He met with college presidents in the Worcester area but only Jon Strauss, the then-president of WPI was interested in working on a school for high school students. "He recognized there are young people so bright, talented and motivated , they are not getting it at public schools," Chase said. "They don't have the courses available." Chase was afraid detractors would claim the concept was elitist and worked to keep news from leaking out. Salvatelli still chafes at the suggestion the school is elitist. The students come represent the spectrum of the socio-economic scale and are not even always the brightest, but they are motivated to work toward their goals, he said. The caucus helped slip $500,000 in the state education budget for the school that went unnoticed by most people the first year. The first class of students were seniors who took courses at WPI in 1992. Chase's fears were realized in the ensuing years when there was a call to cut its funding. "We didn't think it was going to survive the first couple years," Salvatelli said. The budget this year is $1.3 million. It works on such a small budget because WPI gives the school support services, nursing and rent-free space, Salvatelli said. "To me this is the love of my live and greatest thing I ever accomplished in public office," Chase said.
  6. ^ "Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education - 2019-20 SAT Performance Report - All Students Statewide Report".
  7. ^ "Mass Academy - WPI". www.massacademy.org. Retrieved 2017-04-20.
  8. ^ Stendahl, Max (2018-10-15). "These are the 25 best public high schools in Massachusetts". Boston Business Journal. Retrieved 2018-10-16.
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