Syracuse Academy of Science Charter School

The Syracuse Academy of Science Charter School (SASCS) offers area students the best aspects of public and private education.  As part of a public community charter school, SASCS’s tuition-free program offers the small classes and college preparatory programs of a private academy to students who would otherwise be financially constrained to attend public school.  Students are given the opportunity to learn and grow into productive, conscientious citizens with a keen sense of social awareness and community responsibility.

The faculty members at the Syracuse Academy of Science Charter School work hard to provide a complete and unique secondary education to a culturally diverse student group.  With a 1:17 teacher-to-student ratio, students enjoy the benefits of smaller classes and personalized attention.  For additional help and guidance, teachers at SASCS offer tutoring after school at least three days a week.  In tutoring sessions, students can take advantage of remedial and enrichment work to enhance their classroom experience.  Furthermore, faculty members create Internet web pages to provide extra information to students and parents.  In an effort to improve efficiency and minimize environmental impact, the faculty primarily communicate online. 

SASCS faculty members have established an intensive academic curriculum to prepare students for a positive college experience.  In addition to studying in the state-mandated core curriculum, students choose among electives that include Zoology, Environmental Chemistry, JAVA Programming, Writing, Reading Research, History of Music, Art, Psychology, and History of Africa. Students at SASCS are offered five Advance Placement Courses: AP Calculus, AP Statistics, AP Biology, AP US History and AP English.   Juniors are also given the opportunity to improve their test-taking skills in preparation for the SAT and the ACT. Students at SASCS study eight academic subjects during a class day. These academic classes are designed to harness the interests and energy of the students before they have to declare a college major.

After the school day, students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities that meet their interests.  During breaks and summer vacation, faculty members sponsor educational trips to international destinations, including Japan, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, and Turkey, as well as American locations such as Boston, MA; Washington, D.C.; and national parks in California, New York City and Philadelphia.  SASCS’s activities and trips are designed to help students become well-rounded community members.

To promote enrichment learning, SASCS teachers encourage their students to participate in local and national festivals and competitions.  Advanced math and science teams train for all levels of competition.  In the eight years since the establishment of the school, SASCS students have participated successfully in the Science Olympiad, the Greater Syracuse Scholastic Science Fair, and Math COUNTS in the Central New York region, and have created their own SASCS Festival for the Liberal Arts and Sciences. 

In a world of constantly changing educational and technological needs, the Syracuse Academy of Science Charter School, boldly and with innovation, prepares today’s youth for the challenges of tomorrow.