Projected Academies of Mark Twain Academies

The intention of Mark Twain Academies is to start with one academy, "The EdVisions Academy" and add a new academy each year based on demand. The listed academies are those that we have an interest in creating and those into which we have begun a preliminary exploration. However, student demand will dictate which academies actually evolve.

EdVisions Academy:
The EdVisions Academy is a special place where students discover the world by creating projects that reveal knowledge about the real world. Students create projects that enable them to explore the universe of knowledge needed to complete the project. Students then present their projects to audiences composed of other students, faculty, parents, and community members. Students can even create projects that involve original research--we believe students are capable of making important discoveries about our world. Each student will have her own computer to use in documenting the research results utilizing Project Foundry. Parents can also use Project Foundry to follow the progress of the project. We believe this is the most exciting type of learning that exists.

The Academy of Accelerated Learning:
The purpose of the Academy of Accelerated Learning is to maximize the academic performance of each student. The major recommendation for admission to this academy is that students should possess a high degree of motivation. We want students who want to learn and want to make the most out their opportunities for success in the real world. Our goal is for as many students as possible to earn a minimum of one year of college credit when they graduate from our school by passing AP tests and/or completing concurrent course at Hancock.

We will attempt to determine the maximum potential of each student and then find a way to help all students achieve their goals. We plan to offer a minimum of 10 AP courses by the time the first year students are seniors.

Montessori Academy:
The Montessori Academy is structured around the innovative educational philosophy of Dr. Marie Montessori, a physician from Italy, who changed education as it was then known. As a result of the Montessori influence, there are presently thousands of Montessori Schools in some of the educationally highest performing nations around the world.

Academy of Visual and Performing Arts:
The Academy of Visual and Performing Arts will open a world of opportunity for students who wish to explore the world of art and music-encompassing all forms of artistic expression including theater and dance. Students will work with professionals in selected areas who will serve as mentors. The Academy will have visiting artists, actors, actresses, dancers and musicians on a regular basis for demonstrations and hands-on instruction. Students will be encouraged to form bands and participate in a variety of performing groups in the community.

Academy of Automotive Technology:
The Academy of Automotive Technology will involve a partnership with local automotive service-repair facilities and the school. These facilities will provide a wide-range of training videos, manuals, and tutorials. Students will serve as interns in these shops, learning hands-on. During the junior and senior years, students will be placed in actual part-time jobs in these facilities. Students in the Academy will have the opportunity to receive donated cars to "fix-up" and keep. Students will compete in automotive competitions.

Academy of Computer Science:
There will be three branches within the Academy of Computer Science. The first branch will be composed of students who desire to become computer programmers, systems analysts, and experts in computer security. The second branch will include students who wish to become certified in each of the Microsoft Office programs. Certifications will be available and students will be encouraged to advance beyond certification to become true experts. The final branch will include students who wish to study computer technology. These students will work with area business partnerships that will allow students to serve as interns to gain hands-on experience in the repair of computers. All of the branches of the Academy will allow students the opportunity to work with professional mentors and serve in internships.

Academy of House Construction:
The Academy of House Construction will involve partnerships with a wide-range of businesses in the community. Students will learn about carpentry, electrical wiring, plumbing, landscape design, drafting and introductory architectural skills. Students will work with professional mentors and serve as interns for the various contracting firms partnering with the school. The school will also have on-going construction taking place on campus where students will be supervised to actually construct buildings.

Academy of Creative Studies:
The Academy of Creative Studies will be designed for students who wish to become professional writers. Students will learn journalism skills and will learn to write novels, short stories, poetry, and non-fiction. Students will actually work on writing books and other free-lance submissions that will be published whenever possible. Students will produce newsletters and a school newspaper. Students will also be encouraged to work with writer mentors in the community and serve internships in a variety of writing professions.

Academy of Law:
The Academy of Law will have the basic goal of preparing students for careers in politics and law. Students will be encouraged to participate in speech, debate, and mock trial. Our school intends to become one of the most competitive schools in the state in each of these areas. The emphasis of the school will be on critical thinking, reasoning and logic. Students will be engaged in internship projects and mentor with local lawyers and politicians.

Academy of Medicine-Science:
The Academy of Medicine-Science will attempt to prepare students who desire to go into a wide-variety of medical and scientific professions. Mentors and internships in local medical facilities in partnership with local businesses will provide students with hands-on experience and training in real-life settings. The Academy intends to have a number of visiting professionals such as doctors, psychiatrists, nurses, physicists, marine biologists, chemists, and others who will visit the school and become mentors for students who are interested in pursuing these fields. Research will provide a major component of the Academy. Students will be encouraged to conduct their own independent, original research projects and studies.

Academy of Business:
The Academy of Business will allow students to become involved in many different opportunities. The Academy will encourage all students to start businesses and run them. Local businesspersons will be invited regularly to talk to students about how they got started in business. Students will conduct studies of many participating businesses to rate the businesses in different categories. Professionals in personnel and marketing will also be invited on a regular basis, and students will be encouraged to mentor with these individuals. In addition, students will serve internships as management trainees in local businesses whenever possible. Finally, the academy will help oversee the business end of the other academies. The goal of the Academy will be to graduate students who are already in business.