Gwinnett School of
Mathematics,
Science, and
Technology
Informational Meeting
for Rising 9th Graders
[2014 – 2015 SY]
Mr. IV Bray, Principal
Questions and Answers
Mission
…to nurture the talents and high potential
of all students through a unique,
challenging, and integrated curriculum with
a focus on mathematics, science, and
technology.
Gwinnett School of Mathematics,
Science, and Technology
GSMST began serving students in the Fall of 2007,
accepting rising ninth graders only.
GSMST is currently serving 938 students: – 349 Freshmen
– 226 Sophomores
– 193 Juniors
– 170 Seniors
Our fourth class of Seniors will
graduate in May 2014.
Gwinnett School of Mathematics,
Science, and Technology
GSMST 2012 -2013
Academic Achievements
100% Graduation Rate - led the county
SAT average 1917
ACT average 29.0
Governors Honors Program • 15 of our students participated in GHP
AP Awards (AP tests are scored from 1 to 5) • 100 Scholars (at least 3 tests with average 3.0)
• 31 Scholars with Honor (at least 4 tests with average 3.25)
• 116 Scholars with Distinction (at least 5 tests with average 3.5)
• 45 National AP Scholars (at least 8 tests with average of 4)
Led the county in % students scoring 3+ on AP Exam (90%)
Led the county:
• GHSWT 100% Pass Rate
• 10th Grade Gateway 100% Pass Rate
Questions and Answers
GSMST
Curriculum
Overview
Mrs. Karen Rockey, Curriculum AP
9th Grade Program of Study
All students will take: 7 credits in 1 year : 6 REQUIRED COURSES and 1 ELECTIVE
• Language Arts integrated with World Cultures
• Advanced Chemistry
• Advanced Physics & Engineering Concepts Integrated Course
• Foreign Language (2 years are required)
• Chinese I, German I, Spanish I or Spanish II
The following depends on current math class and performance
1.Accelerated Algebra - Year Long
2.Accelerated Geometry - Year Long
3.Geometry Fall Semester AND Accelerated PreCalculus Spring Semester
9th Grade Electives (Students select one of the following)
Fine Arts: • Band
• Foundations of Studio Art
• Introduction to Music Technology
• Orchestra
• Piano
Health/PE: graduation requirement
• Health: One Semester – 0.5 Credit ; PE: One Semester – 0.5 Credit
Engineering • Robotics and Mechatronics
• Intermediate Programming
Other • AP Human Geography
• Debate
• Journalism/Yearbook (interview and review of writing samples)
9th Grade Schedules
5 Courses per day (7 full credits per year)
Courses (For students in AACC currently in 8th grade)
Accelerated Geometry Common Core or higher
Foreign Language
Physics/Engineering (2 periods)*
Chemistry + Language Arts on an A/B Block
Elective
Schedule options are available for students that will move into Accelerated Algebra, but the sequencing and blocked classes have yet to be determined.
10th Grade Program of Study 6 REQUIRED COURSES and 1 ELECTIVE
Science • AP Biology
Engineering • Engineering Applications
Mathematics (Students take 1 of the following)
• Accelerated Geometry CC
• Accelerated Pre-calculus CC
• AP Calculus BC
Foreign Language (Students take 1 of the following) • Chinese II • German II • Spanish II • Spanish III Humanities II-Integrated • 10th Grade Language Arts
AND
• AP World History
11th Grade Program of Study 4.5 REQUIRED COURSES
Science (Students choose 1 of the following)
• AP Physics C Mechanics
• AP Physics C Electricity & Magnetism
• AP Chemistry
• AP Environmental Science
• Biochemical Engineering
• Analytical Forensics
Junior Fellowship Experience (JFE): one semester
Mathematics (Students choose 1 of the following) • Accelerated Pre-calculus C.C. • AP Calculus (AB or BC) • Calculus II • MultiVariable Calculus • Ga Tech Distance Learning
Calculus II/III Humanities III-Integrated • American Literature
• AP US History AND
AP Government OR
• Honors US History AND Honors Political Systems
12th Grade Program of Study 5 REQUIRED COURSES
Science
(Students choose 1 of the following)
• AP Physics C Mechanics
• AP Physics C Electricity & Magnetism
• AP Chemistry
• AP Environmental Science
• Biochemical Engineering
• Analytical Forensics
Senior Capstone Experience (SCE) yearlong
Mathematics (Students choose 1 of the following) • AP Calculus AB or BC • Advanced Calculus II • MultiVariable Calculus • Differential Equations AND/OR
Number Theory Humanities IV • AP Language/Composition OR
AP Language/Literature
• AP Macro & AP Micro Economics
Upper Level Electives
Fine Arts:
• 2D Art
• AP Art
• Digital Photography
• Drawing and Painting
• Intermediate Music Technology
Foreign Languages:
• AP Spanish
• Chinese III
• Chinese IV
• German II
• German III
• Spanish IV
Engineering
• 3D Modeling
• Advanced Robotics
• AP Computer Science
• Aero/Ocean Engineering
• Appropriate & Alternative Energy
• Architectural Design
• Information Technology
• Materials Engineering &
Nanotechnology
MISC
• AP Statistics
• Yoga
GSMST: Transportation
A.M.
Transportation to the student’s high school in their
attendance zone is provided by GCPS buses as with
any other high school student. GSMST students will
then board another bus from that high school to be
transported to our facility.
P.M.
Students will board a bus in the afternoons to the middle
school in their attendance zone and from there they will
board their bus home.
School Hours:
8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
GSMST: Technology Classrooms have:
• Interactive Boards
• Overhead LCD projectors
• Interwrite Tablets
• Document Cameras
• Wireless Connections
Students have:
• Student Response Systems
• Interactive Music Labs
• Foreign Language Labs
• Personal Laptops
GSMST:
Current Faculty and Staff
• 89 Staff Members including
• 59 Classroom Teachers*
68% have a Masters Degree
27% have a Specialist Degree
13 % have Doctorates
• Technology Team
• Guidance Counselor
• College Placement Specialist
• Internship Coordinator
• SCE Specialist
GSMST Student Support Services • Guidance Office
• Intervention
• Enrichment
• Peer Tutoring
• Parent/Teacher – Conferences
• SST Meetings
• Progress Reports/
Parent Portal Access
Mandatory Summer STEM Experience (SSE) will be held June 9-12, 2014 at GSMST from
8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
GSMST Student Perspective
GSMST Extracurricular Activities
We don’t have High School Sports,
but we do have:
• Dances
• Prom
• Coffee House
• Talent Show
• International Night
• Intramurals: football & basketball
• Movie Night
GSMST Clubs: School Sponsored & Student Initiated
• Architecture Club
• Art Club
• Beta Club
• Board Gaming
• Book Club
• Chinese Club
• Debate Team
• Digital Media Club
• Drum Circle
• Ecology Club
• Engineering Honor Society
• Interact Club
• Intramurals
• Jazz Band
• Math Team
• Model United Nations
• Mu Alpha Theta
• National Art Honor Society
• National Honor Society
• National Spanish Honor Society
• Newspaper
• Performing Arts Club
• Percussion Ensemble
• Relay for Life
• Robotics
• Scholars Bowl
• Science Olympiad
• Sign Language Club
• Spanish Club
• Study Abroad
• Student Government
• Women in Technology
Questions and Answers
GSMST Partnership Program
• Phase I: 9th Grade Speaker Series Exposure to different businesses, industries, universities
• Phase II: 10th Grade Job Shadowing Site visits.
• Phase III: Junior Fellowship Experience
• Phase IV: Senior Capstone Experience
GSMST
e-portfolio
GSMST Registration Information
Eligibility
• Enrollment for the 9th grade class is open to all students who are currently in a recognized 8th grade curriculum and complete all 8th grade promotion requirements by the end of the 2013-14 academic school year.
• The student’s custodial parent(s) / guardian(s) must currently reside within the school district of Gwinnett County Public Schools..
GSMST Registration Process
The Registration Form is available to all students at
www.gsmst.org
Return the completed registration forms directly to
GSMST – fax, mail, or hand deliver.
Do not submit registration forms to your
middle school.
GSMST Registration Process
• GSMST Registration Forms must be received or postmarked by January 31, 2014.
• GSMST will send confirmation of receipt of registration forms via e-mail.
February 10, 2014:
• GSMST lottery for the 2014-2015 9th grade class (350 plus a waiting list)
• Acceptance letters sent home, along with course preference sheets
Questions and Answers