Academics.........preparing for the future.

A DIFFERENT WAY TO EDUCATE......

We call our model of education an ICM model.   This stands for Integrated Collegiate Magnet.

* Integrated - Integration of studies is a key component to our ability to accomplish such a rigorous level of academics in a given year.  For example:  World History is paired with World Literature.  9 to 10 novels/biographies will be studied during the course of the year in World Literature that ALL relate in some way to the time period or culture being studied in World History.  The courses are linked.

Composition courses are also integrated by creating writing assignments that integrate with History and Literature courses.  The Composition instructor teaches and grades for the writing form; the History and/or Literature instructors grade the same composition for content.  Instead of three separate papers, the student produces one well-written, content-rich composition and understands the context and association of all three courses.  Integration is key to learning that has staying power and that lasts long after the test.

* Collegiate - ACP in many ways operates the way a college might operate.  Courses meet on an every other day schedule; full-time and part-time (homeschooled) students attend; and courses are planned according to a student's ultimate career and/or college choice.  Internship placements are offered to upper classmen who want to "try out" or observe a certain career in action.  Senior  research projects are required that prepare a student for thesis presentations in college.  Students are taught how to manage their individual study time to allow them to be more productive.  Many courses use college level textbooks that further prepare students for the rigors of collegiate study.

*Magnet - ACP believes in the importance of the arts in education.   We believe that art, music, and theater are crucial to the development of originality, innovation, and critical analysis.  These are essential traits for the leaders of tomorrow.  Students are encouraged to create original works.  ACP students have created original works of art, as well as written plays, musical compositions, and award winning poems and essays. 

*Hands-On Fridays - Every Friday becomes a special day at ACP.  Fridays are reserved for Field Trips, Special speakers and workshops, and  Special topic interdisciplinary studies.  We want to expose students to the idea that learning is a life-long adventure.  Friday activities are fun, relevant, and.....  no homework required.