MAST Academy
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| Established | 1990 |
|---|---|
| Type | Public magnet |
| Principal | Thomas C. Fisher II |
| Faculty | 37.0 (on FTE basis)[1] |
| Students | 553 (as of 2005-06)[1] |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Location | Miami, Florida, USA |
| District | Miami-Dade County Public Schools |
| Colors | Red, Blue, and White |
| Mascot | Mako Shark |
| Hours | 8:00AM – 3:15PM |
| Website | http://mast.dade.k12.fl.us/ |
Maritime and Science Technology Academy, commonly referred to as MAST Academy is a public high school in Miami, Florida. MAST Academy is a magnet school under the governance of Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Its principal is Thomas C. Fisher II, appointed in September 2006.
The academic focus of MAST Academy is primarily driven toward maritime studies. Students choose one of three major areas of study in which a traditional U.S. high school curriculum is infused with maritime-related subjects. These major areas of study are Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences (OAS), Maritime Studies and Culture (MSC), and Marine Related Industries (MRI). Some special course offerings include: Oceanography, Solar Energy, Environmental Science, Sea Classics, Swimming, Ethics and Leadership, and Water Safety.
MAST Academy is located on Virginia Key, a barrier island between Miami and Key Biscayne, across the street from the Miami Seaquarium and within walking distance from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.
As of the 2005-06 school year, the school had an enrollment of 553 students and 37.0 classroom teachers (on a FTE basis, for a student-teacher ratio of 14.9.[1]
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[edit] Awards and recognition
During the 1994-96 and 2006-07 school years, MAST Academy was recognized with the Blue Ribbon School Award of Excellence by the United States Department of Education[2][3], the highest award an American school can receive.[4][5]
It has a tradition of academic excellence, and has three times been ranked among Newsweek's Top 100 High Schools.[6] With a 22:1 student-to-teacher ratio, MAST has been listed as one of "Miami-Dade's Best Schools".[7]
[edit] JROTC
MAST is home to the only U.S. Coast Guard JROTC program in the U.S., approved by an Act of Congress.[8] It is officially known as the Claude Pepper JROTC, an homage to the famed Florida politician. "Mako Battalion" cadets participate on a voluntary community-service basis in many operations with local USCG forces, mostly at nearby Integrated Support Command Miami. They also participate in parades and ceremonies with the other approximately 25 JROTC programs in Miami-Dade Public Schools.
[edit] Extracurricular Activities
The school's mascot is the mako shark named Isurus, and the main sports are water-related, such as water polo, swimming, sailing, and crew. The girls' soccer team won the District Championship in 2004, while the boys' golf team went undefeated and sent two competitors to State.
In addition to sports and academics, MAST students are very active in a variety of competitions at the local, state, and national level. MAST is very active in the National Ocean Sciences Bowl Competition, having established a tradition of placing first in the state and in the top tier in the nation. The Black History Brain Bowl team is also very competitive, having won the 2006 Regional Championships.
The band of MAST Academy is the steel drum band. The band performs many genres of music from Calyspo, Soca, and Reggae to Jazz, Blues, Rock and Roll and even movie soundtrack songs and Christmas tunes. The steel drum band won their division in the Florida State High School Jazz Band Competition in their first attempt in 1999 with traditional jazz songs incorporating the steel pan.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Maritime & Science Technology Academy, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed October 27, 2007.
- ^ Blue Ribbon Schools Program: Schools Recognized 1982-1983 through 1999-2002 (PDF), United States Department of Education. Accessed May 11, 2006.
- ^ U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Schools Program: Schools Recognized 2003 through 2006 (PDF), United States Department of Education. Accessed May 11, 2006.
- ^ CIBA cited as one of the best by Education Department, Journal Inquirer, November 16, 2006. "The Blue Ribbon award is given only to schools that reach the top 10 percent of their state's testing scores over several years or show significant gains in student achievement. It is considered the highest honor a school can achieve."
- ^ Viers Mill School Wins Blue Ribbon; School Scored High on Statewide Test; The Washington Post. September 29, 2005 "For their accomplishments, all three schools this month earned the status of Blue Ribbon School, the highest honor the U.S. Education Department can bestow upon a school."
- ^ [1].
- ^ Miami-Dade's Best Schools
- ^ [2].
[edit] External links
- MAST Academy
- MDPS MAST Page
- Miami-Dade County Public Schools
- Maritime & Science Technology Academy, National Center for Education Statistics
