Alaska Middle College School: An Early Start to Higher Education
Alaska Middle College School (AMCS) provides a unique opportunity for high school students in the Anchorage School District to begin their college education early, at no cost to the student or their parents/guardians. This program allows students to earn college credits towards a degree program while still in high school, offering a significant head start on their higher education.
Key Features and Benefits
- Free College Tuition: Students can attend college for free, taking UAA (University of Alaska Anchorage) courses and earning credits towards a degree.
- Personalized Support: AMCS provides personalized support to each student, catering to their academic needs and helping them work towards their future goals.
- College Credit Accumulation: On average, Middle College students graduate with 35 or more college credits, which is equivalent to more than one full year (two semesters) of free college.
- Access to Resources: Middle College students have access to advisory and seminar classes at AMCS, as well as various academic resources, including AMCS Advisory Teachers, UAA Learning Commons, and Live Homework Help.
- Career Exploration and College Preparation: The program assists students in the career exploration and college preparation process, helping them develop effective study habits and navigate campus resources.
- Student Vetting: Students are vetted by the Anchorage School District to ensure they are prepared for the challenges of college coursework.
U.S. News & World Report Ranking
Alaska Middle College School is unranked in the U.S. News & World Report National Rankings. The rankings are based on student performance on state-required tests, graduation rates, and how well the school prepares students for college.
College Readiness Assessment
U.S. News & World Report calculates college readiness based on student performance on state-required tests and internationally available exams on college-level coursework, such as AP® (Advanced Placement®) and IB (International Baccalaureate) exams.
- AP® Exam Participation: 13% of the 12th-grade class took at least one AP® exam.
- AP® Exam Success: 8% of the 12th-grade class passed at least one AP® exam.
- Exam Takers Scoring 3+: 63% of exam takers in the 12th-grade class scored 3 or higher on an AP® exam.
It's important to note that these figures reflect student participation and performance on AP® exams, if data were available.
Subject Proficiency
Alaska administers the Alaska System of Academic Readiness and the Alaska Science Assessment to high school students to gauge subject proficiency.
Read also: Applying to UAF
District Averages (College Readiness):
- College Readiness: 10.7
- Proficient in Reading: 38%
- Proficient in Mathematics: 25%
- Proficient in Science: 51%
The data is based on the 2021-2022, 2022-2023, and 2023-2024 academic years.
Application Process
The application process involves applying to both the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) and Alaska Middle College School (AMCS).
- UAA Application: Complete the UAA application, selecting "Middle College" as the Application Type. Ensure all required information is completed and the application section has a check mark before submission. After completing the UAA application, you will receive a UA ID number.
- Placement Testing: Complete your writing and math placement after receiving your UA ID number.
- Math Placement (ALEKS): The ALEKS test assesses your understanding of math concepts studied in high school. Review materials (including practice answers) are available to help you prepare. The test can be taken remotely, and there is no cost. It may require the installation of a temporary lockdown browser for remote proctoring.
- Writing Placement: There are multiple writing placement measures available.
- Writing Sample: Writing samples can be done remotely at no cost. Fill out and submit the Writing Sample Survey to begin. Complete the writing sample in one sitting, and close your browser tab or application when finished to ensure your submission sends.
- Accuplacer: The Accuplacer is an alternate measure to determine writing placement, and it is done in person at UAA at no cost to the student. To register, choose "Placement Test" for Type, and "Placement Exam" for Exam, then select a time and date and complete the form.
- AMCS Application: After completing all the UAA admission steps, apply to AMCS for admission. The AMCS application typically opens in September/October.
- Review and Enrollment: AMCS will review the application and make a final determination. Students will be notified whether they are accepted or declined enrollment into AMCS.
Student Life and Support
AMCS provides a supportive environment for students' academic endeavors.
- Advisory and Seminar Classes: Middle College students have access to advisory and seminar classes at AMCS, which help them develop effective study habits, manage their time, and navigate campus resources.
- Counseling Services: Students have access to the AMCS school counselor for guidance on social-emotional skills, academic planning, career exploration, and college preparation.
- Academic Resources: Students can utilize various academic resources, including AMCS Advisory Teachers, UAA Learning Commons, and Live Homework Help.
- Progress Tracking: Faculty members provide feedback to track the progress of students in their UAA courses. Check-in sessions are also conducted to ensure students are on track.
Additional Information
- School Nurse: A school nurse provides expertise and oversight of school health services, addressing barriers to learning and serving as an extension of the public health system.
- ASD Dates and Deadlines: Refer to the Anchorage School District (ASD) calendar for important dates and deadlines, such as the AK Choice enrollment deadline, holidays/breaks, and parent/teacher conferences.
- Accommodations at UAA: Students requiring accommodations at UAA should contact the university's disability support services. Faculty are not required to accommodate student-athletes' travel obligations but should work with students who provide notification within the first few weeks of the semester to plan for expected travel.
- Intervention Strategies: AMCS has strategies in place to get Middle College students back on track if they are struggling in their college courses. An alert/referral system and additional support are available.
Read also: Learn about the Alaska Performance Scholarship
Read also: Discovering Alaska's Past
tags: #alaska #middle #college #information
