The STEM Academy's 1st Graduating Class!
These STEM graduates were accepted to these incredible colleges and universities:
| Agnes Scott University Auburn University Augusta University Baylor University Berry College Butler University Cal Tech Clemson University Emory University Florida State University Georgia Southern University | Georgia Tech Indiana University Johns Hopkins University Kennesaw State University Miami Ohio University MIT North Carolina State University New York Institute of Technology New York University Purdue University Rice University | Tulane University University of Alabama University of Illinois University of South Carolina University of Tennessee University of Georgia University of Cincinnati Vanderbilt University Wake Forest University |
Pope High School prides itself on producing well-rounded STEM students who are deeply engaged in the Pope Culture. While our STEM students build a strong academic foundation for college admittance, many academy students are leaders in our Fine Arts program, athletics, and extracurricular activities.
Pope High School offers the following STEM Programs:
Advanced Math and Science STEM Program
Traditional STEM Program:
- Engineering Pathway
- Computer Science Pathway
- Life Science Pathway
The traditional STEM pathway differs from the Advanced Math and Science STEM pathway in the number and level of math and science courses and STEM elective requirements.
All academy programs culminate in a capstone project or capstone course where students produce a unique piece of work. For example, engineering students invent a product with input from local engineers; computer science students develop their own computer program, game or app; and AP Capstone students conduct new research, much list a master’s thesis, in a field that interests them.
Senior Capstone Projects/Courses
| Engineering Pathway | Computer Science Pathway | Life Science Pathway | AMS STEM Pathway |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLTW Capstone (12th) | Advanced Computer Science Research (12th) | AP Capstone Program: AP Seminar (11th) and AP Research using Scientific Research Methodology (12th) | AP Capstone Program: AP Seminar (11th) and AP Research (12th) |
In addition to the capstone courses, Pope’s STEM Academy incorporates several opportunities for enriching our scholars’ learning experience. Enrichment activities include learning from experts in STEM fields, attending in STEM related field trips and events, competing in local, state, and national STEM challenges, and participating in and developing STEM outreach projects.
Traditional STEM Academy
Scholars interested in the traditional STEM Academy pathway should have a keen interest in a STEM career and a high aptitude for mathematics and science. The STEM Academy is designed for creative and innovative scholars who are truly passionate about devising solutions to a variety of local and global issues through engineering, computer science, or life sciences. All STEM pathways culminate in a comprehensive senior capstone course.
| 9th grade | 10th grade | 11th grade | 12th grade | |
| Math (required) | H Geometry or above | Students must earn 4 Math credits | ||
| Science (required) | H STEM Biology | H STEM Chem | AP Physics 1 or Honors Physics | AP Science or Honors Science |
| Language Arts | H 9th Lit (recommended) | Students must earn 4 Lang Arts credits | ||
| Social Studies | Students must earn 3 Social Studies credits | |||
| Electives | World Lang | World Lang | Health & PE | |
| STEM Electives | See STEM Pathways below | |||
| This course sequence is subject to change based on the needs of the students and input from faculty. | ||||
| Required STEM Pathways Students in the Traditional STEM Academy must choose one of the following STEM pathways: | ||||
Capstone Course | ||||
| Engineering Project Lead the Way | PLTW Introduction to Engineering | PLTW Principles of Engineering | PLTW Aerospace Engineering | PLTW Capstone |
| Computer Science | Introduction to Software Technology | AP Computer Science Principles | AP Computer Science A | Honors Computer Science Research |
| Life Science | No Required STEM Elective | Honors Scientific Research II | AP Seminar | AP Research |
Eligible students must have successfully completed Algebra I or higher in the 8th grade to be considered for the STEM Academy.
In the 9th grade STEM scholars will develop scientific research skills in Honors 9th Literature and Honors STEM Biology. The coursework taken during 9th and 10th grade will provide the foundation for the advanced coursework and capstone projects during junior and senior year.
See below for additional academy requirements.
Advanced Math & Science STEM Academy
Scholars interested in the Advanced Math and Science (AMS) STEM Academy pathway should have a keen interest in a STEM career and a high aptitude for mathematics and science. This AMS STEM pathway emphasizes high level math and science through an accelerated curriculum. The accelerated curriculum is unlike a traditional schedule in that AMS STEM scholars have an opportunity to take a greater number of Honors and AP math and science courses. Engineering principles drive the advanced math focus of this STEM program.
Eligible students must have successfully completed Honors Algebra I in the 8th grade to be considered for the AMS STEM Academy.
In the 9th grade, AMS STEM scholars will develop research skills and the necessary mathematical skills required for an understanding of engineering math. The AMS STEM coursework taken during 9th and 10th grade will provide the foundation for the accelerated coursework and capstone projects during junior and senior year.
AMS scholars are strongly encouraged to complete the AP Capstone Program. AMS STEM scholars will take AP Seminar during 11th grade and AP Research during 12th grade. The College Board states that the AP Capstone program:
- Fosters the research, argumentation, and communication skills that are at the core of college readiness and essential for lifelong learning
- Provides a setting to build on the knowledge and rigorous course work of AP in an interdisciplinary format
- Offers students a unique opportunity to distinguish themselves to colleges and universities
AMS STEM scholars can earn the AP Capstone Diploma. To earn the AP Capstone Diploma scholars must take 4 AP courses, AP Seminar and AP Research; and earned a 3 or higher on each exam.
| 8th grade | 9th grade | 10th grade | 11th grade | 12th grade | |
| 80% or Higher + Alg + Teacher Rec | Math (Required) | H Geometry / H Adv Alg A | H Adv Alg B / AP Precalc | AP Cal BC | Multivariable Calc |
| 88% or Higher + Teacher Rec | Science (Required) | AP Env Sci | AP Biology | AP Physics C | AP Chem |
| Lang Arts | Students must have 4 credits of Lang Arts | ||||
| Social Studies | Students must have 3 credits of Social Studies | ||||
| Electives (Required) | AP Seminar | AP Research | |||
| Electives | World Lang | World Lang | Health & PE | ||
This course sequence is subject to change based on the needs of the students and input from faculty. | |||||
Additional Academy Requirements
As a member of the STEM Academy, all STEM scholars must participate in events/activities/competitions throughout the four years at Pope High School.
| Competitions | STEM Outreach Projects | Educational STEM Seminars / Conferences / Events |
|---|---|---|
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