The Upper School
Grades
9 through 12
The Montgomery Academy Upper School prepares students for college and for their lives as adults. Building on the foundational work in the Lower and Middle Schools, the Upper School provides a culminating experience at The Montgomery Academy in academics and cocurricular activities. Students have the opportunity to engage in a wide variety of courses in all academic areas, including diverse offerings in STEM and in the visual and performing arts. Numerous Advanced Placement courses offered in many subject areas help students earn early college credits. Throughout the Upper School academic experience, students build important writing, critical thinking and problem-solving skills that they will need in college and in their careers. Our co-curricular activities in community service, the arts, clubs and athletics play an integral role in developing character and leadership abilities in our students. MA students have the opportunity to travel across the state, region and country to participate in off-campus competitions, and they have been recognized for their achievements at a state, regional and national level.
We seek to encourage a love of knowledge and to train minds to be inquisitive, logical, critical and imaginative. We believe in educating the whole child and helping develop each student into an individual who values honor and good character. Through their work with faculty advisors, students engage in intentional discussions of important values that define good character and leadership qualities in our society.
We believe an outstanding college preparatory education is one of demanding depth that will challenge students to expand their knowledge, understanding and capabilities. Our college advising office helps students and parents navigate the college selection and application process. We want each student to find a college that will allow for the continued development of the passions and interests discovered at The Montgomery Academy.
Advisee Time Students are assigned a faculty advisor as a freshman. Advisors meet with students daily and serve as mentors to our Upper School students.
Assembly Time Assemblies cover topics of interest to Upper School students.
Honor Code MA’s Honor Code fosters trust, integrity and honesty. Students sign the Honor Code and write the pledge on all major assignments and papers. The Honor Code is monitored by a student-led Honor Council in grades 7-12.
College Advising We believe the college admissions process is about finding good matches between students and colleges. Our dedicated college advising office with two college advisors provides support, guidance and education to our students and families as they navigate the world of college admissions.
Coach Classes MA teachers regularly hold “coach classes” either before or after school for students who need additional assistance with their coursework.
Highly Trained Teachers Nearly 70 percent of our teachers hold advanced degrees, and they are given the resources necessary for professional development through workshops, seminars and travel.
Award-winning Athletics As of 2017, the Academy’s athletic teams have earned 67 state championships – more than any public or private school in the River Region.
The Upper School Experience —1 00 percent of Academy graduates attend a college or university. —A variety of Advanced Placement and honors classes are offered. —N umerous Advanced Placement Scholars are recognized annually. —N ational Merit Scholar semifinalists, finalists or commended students are recognized each year. —T he Academy is one of only three schools in Alabama with a Cum Laude Society, which recognizes superior academic performance. —O ur Speech and Debate team has been recognized as one of the top programs in the nation and is led by a National Hall of Fame coach. The team consistently sends students to the national competition and has won the state championship 16 times, the most in the state and the thirdmost in the nation! —O ver $28 million in merit-based financial assistance has been offered to our graduates in the past five years, with over 70 percent of each graduating class receiving scholarships. —H .E.A.R.T. (Helping Eagles Right There) is a community service club with the most members of any other club at MA. Students in the Upper School work to raise money and awareness for organizations like Children’s Hospital, Service Dogs of Alabama and Magic Moments of Alabama. —S tudent-led clubs allow students to explore interests beyond the classroom. —A ll advisee groups sponsor a child at Brantwood Children’s Home during the holidays. The gifts provided by MA are the only gifts the children open on Christmas morning. —P hilanthropy 101 enables select Upper School students to intently study non-profit agencies and philanthropy during a summer course. —O ur nationally ranked choral program has performed in prestigious venues around the country. —P lays and musicals are performed in our state-of-the-art theater. Students are honored annually at the State Trumbauer Competition. — I nternational travel opportunities are designed to expose your child to new cultures and new learning. —A remarkable Visual Arts Department produces students who are awarded frequently for their creative talent in art shows around the state. —H ot, nutritious lunches served daily are included in tuition.
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MA Upper School Traditions 1 Kindergarten-Senior Buddies 2C ollege T-shirt Day 3 Eagle Day Tug-of-War 4H omecoming Week Festivities 5H anging out in the Commons 6 Headmaster’s Cup Competition 7 Senior Privileges
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VAUGHN ROAD CAMPUS 3240 Vaughn Road Montgomery, Alabama 36106 (334) 272-8210 FAX (334) 270-3240 W W W. M O N T G O M E R Y A C A D E M Y . O R G