• SEARCHING for better educational opportunities
• WILLING to work hard
• APPLYING themselves to challenges
• EAGER to try new things

It is NOT about attracting students with the highest GPAs or best SAT scores. AMES is a public school with open enrollment to all students.AMES enrolled grades 9 and 10 for the 2003-04 school year. School years include a new 9th grade only until grades 9-12 are complete in the 2005-06 school year.
AMES is a stimulating and inspiring place for bright, talented, and disciplined students. We offer an exceptional teaching staff, including University of Utah faculty and Salt Lake-area professionals, and small classes where individual needs can be met. In fact, no more than 500 students will be enrolled in AMES.Courses include integrated programs in math, science, technology, computer science and engineering as well as core classes in language arts, social studies, and the arts. Additional courses offered through Cottonwood High School round out the total AMES experience.Early College Opportunity
AMES is committed to providing students with coursework that will accelerate them into the rigor of university-level courses. The required classes and internships prepare AMES students for:

• State Scholars Initiative Recognition
• University of Utah Concurrent Credit
• Advanced Placement (AP) Credit
• Career Opportunities
• Life-long Learning

AMES is a public charter high school recognized by the Utah State Board of Education, in partnership with Granite School District, Salt Lake City School District, and the University of Utah.AMES is a part of Governor Leavitt's New Century High School Initiative to give Utah high school students greater access and opportunities for advancement in specialized fields of study for a better Utah.

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Mission Statement

Our mission is to prepare a diverse student body for success in college or other post-secondary education.

 

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AMES Belief Statements
Rigor  - Relevance - Relationships

Everything that is done at AMES is examined through the lenses of the three R’s; rigor, relevance, relationships. These lenses are what guided our development of our educational beliefs.

1. We believe that all students are capable of meeting high expectations, thinking critically, and becoming life-long learners.
2. We believe that learning opportunities should be connected to the community.
3. We believe that students should be provided with a variety of instructional strategies to support their learning.
4. We believe in fostering a diverse student body where mutual respect and tolerance are celebrated.
5. We believe in developing strong, lasting, positive relationships.
6. We believe in promoting the physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being of our students.

 

Because of these beliefs the AMES administration works diligently to recruit a diverse student body.  Even though AMES has many students who would have done well at their home high school, an increasing number of students would be considered at-risk for not graduating high school, let alone attending college. 

It is because of these beliefs that AMES is a unique educational opportunity.

 

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Credit Transferral Policy

AMES Charter School complies with Utah Code Section 53A-13-108.5; Acceptance of credits and grades awarded by accredited schools.  Therefore AMES Charter School shall:

1. a) Accept credits and grades awarded to a student by a school accredited or approved by the State Board of Education or accredited or recognized by Northwest Association of Accredited Schools as issued by the school, without alterations.
   b) Credits awarded for a core curriculum course shall be applied to fulfilling core curriculum requirements.

2. Subsection (1) applies to credits awarded to a student who:

1. Transfers to a public school; or
2. While enrolled in the public school, takes courses offered by another public or private school.

3. Subsection (1) applies to:

1. Traditional classes in which an instructor is present in the classroom and the student is required to attend the class for a particular length of time;
2. Open entry/open exit classes in which the student has the flexibility to begin or end study at any time, progress through course material at his own pace, and demonstrate competency when knowledge and skills have been mastered;
3. Courses over the Internet; or
4. Distance learning courses.