Syracuse Academy of Science Charter School

Syracuse Academy of Science Charter School is driven to build toward and achieve success on behalf of its students, their families, and the community at large.  This drive to succeed extends beyond the classroom, grade point averages and test scores, and reaches into relationships and personal goals—the elements that define who a person is, how he or she makes decisions,and why those decisions even exist.
As a school, there is no escape from academic expectations.  Not only does SASCS expect academic excellence, but it is providing the means of achieving it.  From the Saturday IVY League Program, extensive after school tutoring options, competitive math and science teams to promoting participation in essay competitions, the SASCS staff is committed to providing a multitude of venues for students to build ontheir academic strengths or bolster their areas of struggle.  The 2009/2010 MathCounts team competed from Onondaga County to Troy, New York and won first place in the regional competition, while the Science Olympiad participants ended up an international competition in Texas where students Kenneth Magwood, Dalton Ackerman and KoryPierre placed 3rd among 30 senior division projects.  They also won the Wiley & Sons award for excellence in Chemistry, Physics, and Space Science. These competitions also serve as a launching point for student careers, leading some students, like senior Charlene Murray, who participated in a four-week SUNY Oswego Science Immersion Program over the summer, to decide that a career in chemistry is just right forher.
A school cannot succeed without support from its families.  Like other schools, parents chaperone school outings and attend functions and competitions here at SASCS.  But to achieve an even higher level of success in building relationships with families, each teacher contacts a minimum of 15 parents each week (that’s at least 435 phone calls, emails or face-to-face meetings every week!) regarding student achievement and performance. Additionally, teacher teams visit families, with the school’s goal of having one home visit for each family by the close of the school year.  Already, 28 homes have received visits—and complimentary cookies—from our staff.
Students feel proud of their school when its successes are known in their communities.  Last year, SASCS received significant media attention for the success of the Boys’ Varsity Basketball team, who, with a record of 28-2, won the Regional Championship and placed second in the State Division.  The 2009/2010 cross country team received accolades as well, qualifying for the Regional Finals by competing and winning the Section III pentathlon, and winning or placing inseveral events.  In 2010, SASCS will be adding a Girl’s Varsity Basketball team and a wrestling team, and hope to build these new teams into champions too.
A successful school also provides its students with a greater understanding of the world at large, and SASCS has found that first-hand experience is the shortest route to success in building this sort of knowledge and understanding. With a student body comprised of students hailing from over 15 different countries and speaking 10 native languages, a broadened world view begins in the classroom and extends beyond the borders of New York State as students spend vacation time flying across the country or overseas.  Washington D.C., California, Arizona, Boston, Canada, Japan, and Turkey, have appeared on student travel itineraries in past years at SASCS, and this year students and staff are raising money and making plans for travels to Dubai, Italy and Greece.
As SASCS strives to turn students into scholars, it does not neglect opportunities to help youth to become responsible, thoughtful adults, or to encourage community members to become well-informed world citizens.

Our Mission

Building on the triad of student-teacher-parent relationships,

SASCS will provide support, challenges and opportunities,

and instill the necessary skills and knowledge,

to enable students to reach their highest potential in

college career and citizenship.