Recognition Levels
Academy Member
Students have completed an SMSA application. They have either participated in the cohort classes and/or STEM-related clubs, teams, or events.
Students have completed an SMSA application. They have either participated in the cohort classes and/or STEM-related clubs, teams, or events.
Academy Scholar
Students completed an SMSA application. They completed the cohort classes or approved alternates. They completed at least 3 additional approved STEM courses. They have participated in an extended study STEM-related competition or STEM-related field experience.
Students completed an SMSA application. They completed the cohort classes or approved alternates. They completed at least 3 additional approved STEM courses. They have participated in an extended study STEM-related competition or STEM-related field experience.
Commended Scholar
Students completed the SMSA upperclassman application process and have established a Program of Study. They completed 9 units of required honors and/or advanced STEM approved courses. They participated in at least 2 extended study STEM-related competitions or a STEM-related field experience.
Students completed the SMSA upperclassman application process and have established a Program of Study. They completed 9 units of required honors and/or advanced STEM approved courses. They participated in at least 2 extended study STEM-related competitions or a STEM-related field experience.
Distinguished Graduate
Students have completed the SMSA upperclassman application process. The student has completed all components of their Program of Study and it has been signed and reviewed by the distinction coordinator. The students have met all requirements for academy graduation as follows:
Students have completed the SMSA upperclassman application process. The student has completed all components of their Program of Study and it has been signed and reviewed by the distinction coordinator. The students have met all requirements for academy graduation as follows:
- Complete a minimum of 4 units of high school math beginning with Geometry Trigonometry Honors followed by Algebra II honors, Trigonometry pre-calculus honors, and AP Calculus.
- Complete a minimum of 3 high school science courses, including honors chemistry, honors biology, honors physics.
- Complete a total of 9 units of advanced STEM courses receiving an unweighted grade point average of no less than 3.0 in those courses.
- Complete 2 Honors English courses or an advanced college-level English course.
- Complete at least 2 years of 1 foreign language. Students are encouraged to complete 3 years to be competitive applicants to selective colleges and universities.
- Participate in several STEM-related extended preparation state or national level STEM-related competitions.
- Complete 20 hours of community service.
- Complete an approved STEM-related field experience or senior research project to include written support and presentation.