Academy Requirements

Requirements for Pathways

Students may choose from five academic pathways, each with its own course requirements:

• STEM - Science

• STEM - Math

• Humanities

• Cultural Studies

• Visual and Performing Arts

While not required, all students are eligible to enroll in Academy-aligned courses, including Big Issues, Big Ideas (an honors-weighted debate elective), AP Seminar, AP Research, and Academy Capstone. 

Academy students are also expected to uphold the Academy Code of Conduct, which emphasizes academic integrity, responsibility, and good citizenship—both within the school and in the broader community.

Requirements for All Academy Candidates

• Completion of two or more ELOs totaling at least 10 hours, with at least one connected to your chosen pathway.
  Examples: job shadows, Hurricane Island Annual Learning Retreat, Camden Conference full weekend, or other pre-approved educational experiences.
  
  

• Participation in at least two Community Enrichment Educational Opportunities with at least one connected to your chosen pathway.
  Examples: Math Team, Art Club, Music Lessons, Model UN, educational field trips, Windstorm Challenge, Mid-Coast Forum on Foreign Relations, CubeSAT, District III or All-State Festivals, etc.
  
  

• Completion of one of the following capstone experiences:
  
  

  • • Internship or extended educational experience totaling at least 20 hours (max of three separate experiences).
      Examples: Keller Bloom at Bigelow Labs, Consider Engineering at the University of Maine, Longfellow Young Writers Workshop, or similar programs.
      
      

    • Pre-approved research or experimental design project
      
      

    • Art exhibition or senior recital
      
      

• A written portfolio documenting and reflecting on the completion of Academy requirements
  
  

• An oral defense of their portfolio before the Academy Committee