SCHOOL PROFILE: THE LIBERAL ARTS ACADEMY AT JOHNSTON HIGH SCHOOL
Who is eligible to attend? All qualified students who have completed the eighth grade and whose families live within the boundaries of the Austin Independent School District are eligible to apply to the magnet program.What is the academic focus of the magnet program? The Academy is a college preparatory program that offers advanced work in the arts and sciences for all four years of high school. Our curriculum strengthens the perceptive reading, analytical thinking, clear and expressive writing, and persuasive speaking necessary for college curriculum. The instructional program is compatible with state guidelines for education of the gifted and talented. Academy students benefit from advanced materials and cross-curricular coordination, and from an emphasis on discussion, research, and in-depth study.
What are the core requirements? Academy students take special magnet courses in English and social studies and a course in a foreign language every year. For competitive college preparation, we encourage four years each of mathematics and science in honors courses as well as a rich selection of electives. The magnet courses are typically conducted as seminars, and frequently include guest speakers and study trips. Our students usually surpass the course requirements for the District's most demanding graduation plan.
What special courses are available? The academy offers a number of innovative electives each year beyond the magnet core. Typically, these have included creative writing, independent projects, world literature, debate, art history, philosophy, and Shakespeare. Johnston High School, a 4-A school, offers Academy students strong programs in drama, journalism, fine arts, orchestra, band, and athletics. Students have a wide range of math and science choices culminating in several AP options.
What Advanced Placement courses are available? In 1999-2000 we are offering AP courses in English (two levels), Latin (two levels), French (two levels), Spanish (two levels), Economics, Government, Calculus, Statistics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, Studio Art, and Art History. For the last two years Academy students had the highest percentage of acceptable scores for college credit on AP tests of any high school in AISD.
How do Academy students do on college entrance tests? In 1999 the average composite score for Academy students taking the Scholastic Aptitude Test in June was well above the state and national averages. There were eleven National Merit Scholarship qualifiers in the class of 1998.
Where do Academy students go to college? Academy graduates are admitted to colleges and universities across the nation. These include The University of Texas (and Plan 11), Rice, Southwestern and other fine colleges in Texas, and such selective out-of-state colleges as Stanford, Harvard, Brown, Barnard, Bryn Mawr, Yale, Northwestern, and Vanderbilt. Each Academy family receives intensive college counseling in the junior and senior years. We aid seniors in applying to multiple colleges, and the great majority are accepted by their first choices.
What is the cost of attending the Academy? Attendance is tuition free. However, Academy students and their families typically invest more time and effort in their work here than they would in other programs.
What kinds of students come to the Academy? The Academy is an equal opportunity program. Students from every middle school in Austin make up our entering class, which spans the socioeconomic and ethnic makeup of our city. Academy students are alike in that they are strong readers and writers motivated to seek highly challenging college preparation.