The goal of the science department at AHS is to support all students in attaining content knowledge and complex reasoning skills necessary to understand the core areas of science as well as to become a scientifically informed citizen through hands-on laboratory experiences. We strive to foster science-specific literacy in the reading, writing, and mathematics necessary for career and college readiness.
The Science Department encourages students to elect a comprehensive science program which permits exploration of a wide range of topics. This is best done by selecting courses from each discipline (Earth Systems Science, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics). A variety of course sequences and options are available and students are encouraged to select courses that are compatible with their interests and abilities. Some courses are instructed at a higher level of difficulty and have suggested entry criteria in science and/or mathematics background. Further, some courses are offered on alternate years and thus may be available only once in a students high school career.
Achievement in all science courses is evaluated through teacher-devised assessments administered at appropriate intervals throughout each grading period. Laboratory work, homework assignments, special reports, projects, notebooks, in-class work, and teacher or student devised opportunities are also considered in determining grades. All Science courses are laboratory courses.