WHY AMHS? – May 2023
In recent weeks you have likely seen in our local news outlets the coverage of the challenges many of our public school districts are facing in the wake of declining enrollment, rising costs, and the impact of the McCleary Act on salaries for public school employees. Public school districts are considering closing or combining schools, cutting programs, and raising class sizes in order to meet their budgets.
The events of the past few years have affected the well being of our youth in a variety of ways: mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
Prior to the pandemic, AMHS was already developing a comprehensive Wellness program to focus on the overall health of our students and our entire community in mind, body, and spirit. Our Wellness program is a collaborative effort from our Counseling Center, Campus Ministry, and Strength and Conditioning program. The adult leaders of these programs work to find resources for our students to address concerns such as anxiety, depression, apathy, and other hurdles that make the high school years even more challenging.
Our Wellness program has made a tremendous impact on the lives of our students since its inception and it is a school wide approach. Every student at AMHS is known and valued–they are not just a number. Rather than reducing staffing in areas such as counseling, paraeducators, and academic support, AMHS has added faculty and counseling positions. For a student body of 440 students, we have four full time college/guidance counselors. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) recommends a 250:1 ratio and the national average is actually 408:1. AMHS is proud to far exceed this model with a 110:1 ratio.
Our academic program is thoughtfully designed to provide opportunities for challenge and support. Just to provide one example, students can take any level of math ranging from modified math or Pre-Algebra all the way through Multivariable Calculus (often a 300 level course in college). With four full time teachers in our academic resource program, we provide personalized attention and support to students who have IEP or 504 plans and receive accommodations. Throughout our campus the adult to student ratio is 11:1 with average class sizes around 19 students. We recognize the need for our students to have an adult they can connect with as they navigate the complexities of their world.
It is the dedication of our adult faculty and staff that makes the real difference in the lives of our students. The McCleary Act didn’t benefit the salaries of our teachers as we receive no state or federal funding for salaries or programs. The commitment of our classroom teachers to work at a Catholic school and educate our students is unparalleled. Our teachers know they are preparing their students to be more than just high school graduates–they are preparing the future leaders of our communities.
AMHS has always been known for our strong and robust academic programs and offerings. Our students work extremely hard in the classroom and we recognize that they need to extend their talents and gifts in a variety of areas including competitive experiences such as Mock Trial, DECA, Robotics, Hi Q, and countless other academically based co-curricular programs.
Unlike what we are reading in the news, our art programs aren’t going anywhere and we are committed to our classroom offerings such as band, choir, drawing and painting, drama, graphic design, and ceramics as well as our afterschool programs that include a Fall play and Spring Musical. The pandemic had a sizeable impact on the performing arts and we have celebrated the return of our students to the stage the past two years.
There is a tradition of excellence at AMHS with our athletic programs which includes 15 state championships and 21 academic state championships since the school opened in 1988. Now a member of the Wesco League, our athletic teams also offer a non-cut sport in every season. Well over 80% of AMHS students participate in at least one sport during the school year.
We see our graduates enter life after high school pursuing a wide variety of experiences. AMHS does boast a 100% graduation rate and a 100% college acceptance rate. What we hear from the college admissions officers who come to our campus to present and recruit our students to their universities is how well our students do when they get there. That is why AMHS students are highly sought after from colleges and universities across the country and even internationally.
What makes AMHS truly unique from our local public schools is that we are a Catholic, private school. Our families make a tremendous sacrifice to send their children to AMHS and we take that sacrifice very seriously as we serve our students and community. We are proud to provide tuition assistance to families who qualify through our application process–over 35% of our current families receive some level of tuition support from the school and Fulcrum Foundation.
In turn, our students are rewarded with a multitude of scholarships and opportunities upon graduation. On average our graduates receive a collective pool of scholarships that range from $9 million to $10 million per year.
This June we will celebrate 125 seniors at our Baccalaureate Mass and graduation ceremony. In August we will welcome the incoming class of 2027. We are proud to ensure all students receive the attention and unconditional love and support from our faculty and staff.
Please share this letter with your network of friends and neighbors as they may be discerning the right high school experience for their children. We welcome tours and school visits throughout the school year and the summer. You may contact our admissions office and me at any time.
Peace and all good things,
Steve Schmutz
President, AMHS
