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EXCEPTIONAL Yes, we’ve been called that, and so have our students. At Montgomery Academy, we challenge our kids with a strong college preparatory curriculum as well as the chance to explore the world beyond academics. But the most important part of an MA education is building a strong moral character that allows each student to be a contributor to society and the community. “The MA Difference” is what sets our kids apart and is why so many parents desire an Academy education for their children.
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MA
K
K I N DE R GA RT E N
T H E R I G H T STA RT Walk into one of our kindergarten classrooms and you will immediately feel what a loving and nurturing environment it truly is. Exceptional teachers, beautiful facilities and a stimulating environment make children eager to learn, and small classes allow for individual attention.
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MA
K
HIGHLIGHTS
• The latest technology, with iPads, SMART Boards and computers. • Daily visits to enrichment classes such as Spanish, computer, music and art. • Hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) lab. • Beautiful library with over 22,000 books. • Outdoor learning garden. • Hot, nutritious lunches served daily and included in tuition. • Recess and physical education held every day. • A playground just for kindergarteners. • Exciting field trips.
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RESOURCE TEACHER
To complement classroom teachers, an additional teacher works with students on extra projects and provides individual instruction and enrichment to the curriculum.
MA KINDERGARTEN TRADITIONS
Matisse self-portraits created by the kindergarten children in art. Halloween Dress-up Day Pajama Day Daddy Day in the Park Thanksgiving Feast Christmas Tree Farm Visit Easter Egg Hunt Mother’s Day Coffee Beach Day Annual “I Like School” Play
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AFTER-SCHOOL CARE
Since many MA families include two working parents, we offer MA+ —an after-school program providing a variety of fun activities and time for homework. K I N D E R G A R T E N B U D DY TRADITION
Kindergarten students are paired with seniors and fourth-grade mentors to share fun experiences throughout the year.
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MA
GRADES
1 4 TO
L OW E R S C H O O L
T H E F O R M AT I V E Y E A R S Small children are just naturally curious. Our dedicated and loving faculty nurtures that curiosity by filling our students with wonder and joy and making them active participants in the learning process. Recess every day on a playground especially designed for students in grades 1-4 helps keep them healthy and happy. Daily enrichment classes expose young students to music, art, computers and world language. Weekly visits to our spectacular library allow them to explore over 22,000 books. There is simply no place else where your child can enjoy such a well-rounded experience and no better time to receive it than during these early formative years.
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MA
GRADES
1 4 TO
HIGHLIGHTS
• The latest technology, with iPads, SMART Boards and computers. • Daily visits to enrichment classes such as Spanish, computer, music and art. • Hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) lab. • Beautiful library with over 22,000 books • Outdoor learning garden. • Hot, nutritious lunches served daily and included in tuition. • Recess and physical education are held every day. • Exciting field trips. • Optional piano and violin lessons.
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RESOURCE TEACHER
To complement classroom teachers, an additional teacher works with students on extra projects and provides individual instruction and enrichment to the curriculum. W E E K LY L E S S O N S F R O M T H E G U I D A N C E C O U N S E L O R help
our students learn empathy, responsibility, and how to deal with stress and emotions. AFTER-SCHOOL CARE
Since many MA families include two working parents, we offer
MA+ —an after-school program providing a variety of fun activities and time for homework.
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MA LOWER SCHOOL TRADITIONS
Sharing projects that introduce community service and philanthropy. Grade-level themed plays Annual Culture Study Family Fun Night Marathon Run MA Fun Run Creek Week 4th Grade Flight Ceremony Eagle Day MA Grandparents Day AR (Accelerated Reader) Celebrations Annual Author Visits
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MA
GRADES
5 8 TO
MIDDLE SCHOOL
TIMES OF CHANGE Our Middle School is designed to help students deal with change in a positive way. Foundations of leadership, study habits and valuable life skills are taught and will carry students through their academic careers. Daily enrichment classes expose students to the arts, technology and multiple world languages, and students may also begin competing in athletics. Stepping outside traditional academics, students acquire “real world� learning through trip opportunities to exciting destinations like Washington, D.C. and Chicago. Students also continue their commitment to public service, learning about its importance and putting their awareness into action on local Saturday morning projects. Experiences like these allow Academy students to develop a broader understanding and appreciation of the world around them.
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MA
GRADES
5 8 TO
HIGHLIGHTS
W E L L N E S S W E D N E S D AY
Each month, seventh and eighth grade students attend an assembly on a student wellness topic. Speakers address a number of topics related to the students’ social and emotional health. DUKE TIP PERFORMANCE
The majority of our seventh graders participate in the Duke University Talent Identification Program {TIP} based on high scores on standardized tests.
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I N T E R D I S C I P L I N A RY S T U DY
To facilitate cross-curricular connections, teachers in the Middle School engage students in interdisciplinary explorations. From an interdisciplinary study including summer reading assignments to a two-day simulation game that requires collaboration with classmates to develop an understanding of markets, geopolitics and economic development, our students are always learning beyond the classroom. LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
Students in the seventh and eighth grades participate in an interactive program each week that introduces the vocabulary of leadership. Students attend leadership seminars in their grade level and then follow that session with discussions in their own advisee groups. They learn the connections between leadership and service, and recognize their potential to display leadership beyond traditional leadership positions. • Hot, nutritious lunches served daily and included in tuition.
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MA MIDDLE SCHOOL TRADITIONS
5th grade trip to the Coosa River Science Center 5th grade Letters About Literature 6th grade trip to Jekyll Island Science Center 6th grade History Projects 6th grade Olympic Games Celebration at Jasmine Hill 7th grade Interdisciplinary Summer Reading Project 7th grade Children’s Book Project for MA first-graders 7th grade Colonial History Project 8th grade trip to Lanark, the Alabama Nature Center 8th grade Research Paper “Pi” Day Spring Community Day Eagle Day
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MA
GRADES
9 12 TO
UPPER SCHOOL
PREPARING FOR SUCCESS Upper School is the time to prepare for college and adulthood. Numerous honors and Advanced Placement courses help students earn early college credits. Our exceptional curriculum includes areas as diverse as visual and performing arts, engineering, and computer science. Character development continues to be important, and Academy students are encouraged to examine values and ethics while participating in programs like honor council, student government, community service and other character-building activities.
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MA
GRADES
9 12 TO
HIGHLIGHTS
• 100% of Academy graduates attend a college or university. • $25 million in merit-based financial assistance has been offered to our graduates in the last five years, with over 70% of each graduating class receiving scholarships. • A variety of Advanced Placement and honors classes are offered annually. • Numerous Advanced Placement Scholars are recognized annually. • National Merit Scholar semifinalists, finalists and commended students are recognized annually. • Our speech and debate team has been recognized as one of the top 100 schools in the nation, ranking 55th out of more than 3,000 schools nationwide. The team consistently sends students to the national competition and has won the state championship 14 times, the thirdmost of any school in the nation.
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MA UPPER SCHOOL TRADITIONS
College T-shirt Day Eagle Day Tug-of-War Homecoming Week Festivities Senior Privileges Headmaster’s Cup Hanging out in the Commons, a place for Upper School students to study, relax and socialize Advisee Time Students are assigned a faculty advisor as a freshman and meet daily with him/her. Advisors serve as mentors to our Upper School students.
Assembly Time Assemblies cover topics of interest to Upper School students.
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• The Academy is one of only three schools in Alabama with a Cum Laude Society, which recognizes superior academic performance. • Student-led clubs initiate giving projects throughout the year, and students participate annually in organized community service. • Philanthropy 101, sponsored by the Jimmy Samford Foundation, enables 20 Upper School students to intently study nonprofit agencies and philanthropy during a summer course. • Our nationally ranked choral program has performed in prestigious venues around the country. • Plays and musicals are performed annually in our state-of-the-art theater. Students are honored annually at the State Trumbauer Competition. • A remarkable Visual Art Department produces students who are awarded annually for their creative talent in art shows around the state. • Hot, nutritious lunches served daily and included in tuition.
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A c a d e m y
P E R F O R M I N G A N D V I S UA L A R T S
C E L E B R AT I N G C R E AT I V I T Y Appreciation of the arts begins early at the Academy. Weekly exposure to art and music classes begins in kindergarten and continues throughout the student’s academic career. Courses in theater, music and visual arts are offered in middle and upper levels, and students are allowed opportunities to perform on stage and at various venues. Our outstanding choral groups have been recognized nationwide and have even performed at Carnegie Hall. Our speech and debate team is ranked in the top 1 percent in the nation. Advanced Placement courses in visual art and music theory are offered for college credit. Art at Montgomery Academy is not just a hobby, it is a passion.
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A c a d e m y
AT H L E T I C S With over 30 athletic teams, MA has opportunities for both male and female athletes to play and compete窶馬o matter the level of skill or expertise. Since many MA coaches are also faculty members, students and teachers know each other in different contexts and settings, which builds strong relationships across the school community.
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MONTGOMERY ACADEMY EAGLES
BOYS Baseball (V/JV) Basketball (V/JV/MS) Cross Country Football (V/JV/MS) Golf (V/JV) Soccer (V/JV) Tennis (V/JV) Track & Field GIRLS Basketball (V/JV/MS) Cross Country Cheerleading (V/JV/MS) Golf (V/JV) Soccer Softball Tennis (V/JV) Track & Field Volleyball (V/JV/MS)
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MA ATHLETICS HIGHLIGHTS
• MaxPreps.com named MA the
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top athletic program in the state in 2014. • As of 2014, the Academy’s athletic teams have earned 60 state championships—more than any public or private school in the River Region. • Numerous students and coaches are named All-Metro players or coaches of the year by The Montgomery Advertiser. • 70% of Academy students participate on one of MA’s 34 athletic teams. • Physical education classes take place every day in grades K-9.
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FA C U LT Y AT M A MA teachers are well known for having high expectations and a passion for what they teach. 65% of our teachers hold advanced degrees, and our low student-teacher ratios guarantee that your child always has the support he or she needs to succeed. Consistently, our alumni state that the positive relationships they had with the MA faculty was one of the best parts of their MA education.
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MA FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS
• Each year, teachers in grades 5-12 receive written feedback from their students and their division director about their performance. • MA teachers regularly hold “coach classes” either before or after school for students who need additional assistance. • MA teachers are given the resources necessary for professional development for workshops, seminars and travel.
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PREPARING FOR THEIR FUTURE
HONOR CODE
LEADERSHIP
College Advising We believe the college admissions
MA’s Honor Code fosters trust,
At the Academy we challenge our
process is about finding good matches
integrity and honesty. Lower
students to be actively involved
School students are taught to tell
in their school and their world,
between students and colleges. Our
the truth, do their own work and
whether as members of student
respect the property of others.
government, volunteering their time
Middle and Upper School students
or leading a community service
sign the Honor Code and write the
project. Our goal is growing young
pledge on all major assignments
adults who take responsibility for
and papers. The Honor Code is
their actions. In all that we do at MA,
monitored by a student-led honor
we have a multi-layered approach
council in grades 7-12.
to leadership development, where we challenge students to become adults of character and take responsibility for their own actions in an honorable manner.
college advisors provide support, guidance and education to our students and families as they navigate the world of college admissions • 100% of Academy graduates attend college. • $25 million in merit-based aid has been awarded to our graduates over the past five years. • Over 70% of our graduates receive merit-based scholarships.
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A c a d e m y
MA STUDENTS ARE EXPLORERS Throughout their time at the Academy, students will learn about the world through travel opportunities and exposure to culture. Field trips to capitols and caverns are popular with our little ones. Middle School students take more extensive trips to places as diverse as Jekyll Island and Washington, D.C. Upper School students have amazing international travel opportunities, and all trips are designed to expose your child to new cultures and new learning.
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A c a d e m y
SERVICE, CLUBS & ACTIVITIES No matter what your child’s interest, there is a special place just for him or her at the Academy. Younger students may enjoy cocurricular art classes, music, martial arts and scouting. Older students have choices as varied as the Science Club, Writers’ Club, the Thespians and videogaming activities. New clubs are being created—by students—all the time! It is a big world, and we want kids to explore it.
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Service to the community begins with Lower School sharing projects. Middle and Upper School students partner with area agencies and raise money while they immerse themselves in service projects through hands-on experiences. Whether it is collecting books to refurbish a school library devastated by a tornado or working with people who are homeless or hungry, Academy students learn the importance of being empathetic servant leaders.
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A c a d e m y
THE SPIRIT OF MA
SCHOOL TRADITIONS “Are you Cardinal or Navy?” is an important question at Montgomery Academy. Each student is designated one of these school colors, and it becomes an integral part of their identity. Team assignments and competitions are often based on these colors, and the excitement culminates on Eagle Day, when teams get to show off their unique spirit as teachers, alumni and parents cheer them on from the stands.
MA SPIRIT TRADITIONS
Our mascot, Swoops The Alma Mater “Soar Eagle Soar” is sung after every MA sports victory Homecoming Door decorating and float building competition Homecoming Parade Spirit Days Class T-shirts Headmaster’s Cup Competition
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MA TRADITIONS • Commencement exercises in the Courtyard. • Opening day convocation and procession of seniors and kindergarten buddies. • Seniors sponsor a Faculty Appreciation Dinner prior to convocation. • Family Nights, where homework assignments and cocurricular activities are suspended, allow MA families to enjoy time together. • MA Ambassadors represent our school at official events.
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• Home Football Game Family Fun Night, where fun activities for Lower School students take center stage. • Eagle Day Competition and Carnival • College T-shirt Day
• Community service involvement. • Halloween Carnival is sponsored annually by the junior class. • Annual Lower School plays, Middle School plays and the Spring Musical
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The Montgomery Academy
develops leaders committed
honor, scholarship, service and the pursuit of excellence. to
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