Advanced Math & Science • AMS – United Charter Schools

Advanced Math & Science • AMS

Marble Hill, Bronx

Advanced Math & Science (AMS) is a public charter school located in the northwest section of the Bronx, in the Marble Hill neighborhood. We focus on developing the whole student with our Profile of a Graduate centered around the 6 C’s of Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, Character and Citizenship. Our purpose is to develop a community that thinks critically about the world and themselves within it and a community that collaborates in ways that allow them to tackle complex problems. AMS believes students learn best when they are engaged, working with classmates to develop solutions to problems. In each class, students use various resources to create, present and defend ideas in writing or to an audience.

Where We Are

We are located in the Marble Hill neighborhood of the Bronx on the John F. Kennedy campus.

Our Approach

AMS ensures that students graduate with the skills and content knowledge necessary to succeed in their post-secondary choices by engaging students, teachers and administrators in coherent learning experiences that allow risk-taking, embrace multiple attempts at learning, cultivate students’ imaginative and creative abilities, and celebrate achievement. Through the intensive study of math and science concepts, students will generate research questions, develop the skills necessary to answer those questions, imagine and create products that demonstrate their learning, and defend their knowledge publicly. At AMS successfully preparing all students for post-secondary success is an organizational responsibility and a civic commitment.

Our Results

At AMS we strive to empower our students for success beyond graduation. An impressive 50% of our graduating seniors earn at least 3 college credits before they even enroll in college, giving them a head start on their journey in higher education. With 95% of students graduating in 4 years, we ensure that our scholars are well prepared for the next steps in their lives. Additionally, 77% of our graduates from the class of 2024 earned the Seal of Civic Engagement, showcasing their commitment to community involvement and action.

credits before enrolling in college

How Do I Apply?

We are currently accepting applications for the waitlist. If you missed the April 3rd lottery deadline, you can still submit an application! We accept students on a rolling basis and many students from the waiting list do enroll.

What’s next after I apply?

You will receive an email or letter confirming that we’ve received your application. If a seat becomes available, you will be contacted to come in for registration. However, you can always call us to see where you are on the waitlist.

Annual Report

Leadership Team

Tina Wagenaar
Principal

[email protected]

Tackling lack of diversity in the medical field

Every graduating class at AMS is asked to identify and research a problem impacting the local community. While there were a number of notable projects created by the Class of 2024, Principal Tina Wagenaar says one in particular stood out.

Students at AMS knew that a large portion of their student body was interested in going into medical or STEM related fields, but worried that without access to resources they may struggle to make informed decisions and lack insight that might help them move into the competitive process of applying to such programs. They decided to obtain some inside knowledge from two group members who had been a part of the Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) at NYU in order to create an internal mentorship program to identify and support students in applying for the program.

The team was able to identify 16 fellow students they would support through this project. Three of those students were accepted into the program and continue working with them this year.

How it worked:

Six seniors, under the guidance of their Life teacher and a staff advisor, created and implemented this Senior Impact Project.
The project was set up for students to give their peers the opportunity to learn about and apply for the NYU Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP).
They hosted two workshops targeted to students interested in professions in the medical or science field.
In between meetings, they were in contact with the students who had attended the first workshop to provide support with completion of the application and interview prep.
Creating the concept and planning for implementation spanned the entire school year, but the workshops and mentorship of new applicants took place in May and June.
Planning happened during the student’s Life class as well as free time outside of class. Workshops were held during the school day, with professionals from STEP either coming in person or using Zoom to connect with prospective student applicants.
Students were held accountable in meeting application deadlines as well as supporting their peers.

Continuing the Tradition

This fall, the cohort introduced another group of students to the inner workings of medical school during on-site visits at Bellevue Hospital and NYU Langone Hospital, where the teens gained valuable insights about pursuing a career in the medical field. It all goes to show that when students are given the support and opportunity to thrive, they can achieve anything.