Create. Design. Perform.
With AMP, you choose your path to success.
Course Pathways
When our students join AMP, they can choose one of two pathways: the 2D/Digital Arts Pathway or the Performing Arts Pathway. Think of these pathways like college majors: they will determine the required classes for each student and the general focus of their course of study.
Certain requirements remain the same across both pathways. For example, all AMP students are required to take the Art Portfolio class their Senior year. AMP students can also pursue an IB Diploma, regardless of the pathway they choose.
Read more about the pathway specifics below.
AMP Requirements
As previously stated, certain requirements remain the same across both pathways. In order to successfully complete the AMP Academy program, students must:
Complete their pathway class every year.
Keep C’s or higher in every class.
Complete 20 hours of community service each year.
Complete a 30-50 hour internship between 11th and 12th grade.
Complete the Art Portfolio Capstone Class in 12th grade.
Complete a Senior Project during the 12th grade.
Keep a good attendance record.
Furthermore, students that go on Independent Study will be removed from the program as they would not be able to complete the AMP requirements.
AMP + IB
The IB (International Baccalaureate) Diploma Program is offered in approximately 2700 schools worldwide, with approximately 950 of those right here in the United States. Last year 85,000 students in the U.S took IB exams in one or more subjects. Currently, universities award advanced standing to IB DP students.
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IB Diploma candidates take six IB DP courses, each of which is two years long. These are chosen from six subject groups:
Language and Literature
Language Acquisition: Spanish, French, Japanese
History of the Americas
Biology, Chemistry, and ESS
Mathematics
Visual Arts, Theater Arts, ESS
In May of 12th grade, candidates take six international exams:
three at standard level and three at higher level.
The results of these exams, in conjunction with work students have done in class, will produce a 1-7 score.
In most cases 24 total points earn the IB Diploma.
There are three additional required components: Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS), the Extended Essay (EE) and the Theory of Knowledge seminar, a seventh required class for Diploma candidates.
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Academic challenge - It is the most challenging path a high school student can take, and that appeals to many of our students. They are special and want an opportunity to demonstrate it.
College admission success - admissions decisions at selective schools are based primarily on academic merit (rigor + GPA), so succeeding in a program like this carries much weight.
Inquiry-based education - a classroom in which the teacher is a facilitator and students are empowered to think, question, investigate, and reflect is just a better environment for learning. Research shows this to be true, and students agree.
International-mindedness and cultural competency - Our children understand that they must know about and appreciate the people and cultures that share this planet. This starts with an awareness of and respect for perspectives different than our own.
The community of learners - IB DP candidates are in a group of driven, diversely talented, like-minded, creative thinkers, which is simply not the norm in any other high school setting.
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Students interested in pursuing the IB Diploma would take their pathway courses their Freshmen and Sophomore year and then choose between DP Visual Arts or DP Theater for their Junior and Senior year.
Here is a sample class list:
Freshman - 9th
English 1
Biology
World Ethnic Studies/ Freshman Seminar
PE /Health or JROTC
Foreign Language
Math 2
AMP Elective - Drawing & Painting
Elective
Sophomore - 10th
English 2
Chemistry
AP World History
PE
Foreign Language
Math 3
AMP Elective- MPC Theater or Digital Art
Elective
Junior - 11th
IB Language and Literature HL
IB Spanish SL/HL OR French Ab Initio OR IB Japanese
IB History of the Americas HL
IB Chemistry HL OR IB Biology HL OR IB Environmental Systems and Societies SL
IB Math SL/HL
IB Visual Arts SL (Visual Arts Pathway) OR IB Theatre HL (Performing Arts Pathway)
IB Theory of Knowledge/ Civics
AMP Elective
Senior - 12th
IB Language and Literature HL
IB Spanish SL/HL OR French Ab Initio
IB History of the Americas HL
IB Chemistry HL OR IB Biology HL OR IB Environmental Systems and Societies SL
IB Math SL/HL
IB Visual Arts SL (Visual Arts Pathway) OR IB Theatre HL (Performing Arts Pathway)
IB Theory of Knowledge/ Economics
Art Portfolio
AMP + Internships
An internship is defined as a key hands‐on professional learning experience where a student works at an off‐campus placement for a company or organization to gain work experience. Traditionally, internships are offered at the college level, but at AMP, we believe internships are the most valuable way to offer high school students a hands‐on opportunity to explore a field of interest.
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Students learn how their course of study applies to the real world and build up their resumes at an earlier age, making them stronger candidates for jobs after graduation. An internship can be an excellent and eye‐opening way to decide if a certain field or major is in fact the right fit. Our goal is for each student to have a meaningful work experience outside of the classroom that makes them more prepared in their future.
Our objectives are:
To reinforce academic skills.
To provide basic background instruction to help interns prepare for Visual and Performing art occupations and related professions.
To facilitate the transition between school and employment.
To provide training stations for interns to practice skills and attitudes learned in the classroom.
To provide interns with practical experiences that will help make their classroom instruction more meaningful.
To provide an opportunity, through the use of local businesses, for interns to acquire skills and knowledge that are best developed on the job.
To provide opportunities for interns to make social adjustments and to develop the ability to work cooperatively with co‐workers and supervisors.
To emphasize to interns the importance of being able to follow directions, pay attention to details, and accept supervision.
To foster an understanding in interns of the benefits and responsibilities of gainful employment.
To provide interns with the ability to keep up with the changing world of work by putting emphasis on problem‐solving, thinking, and decision‐making.
To provide interns with instruction in business skills, principles, and concepts that will lead to success on the job.
To counsel interns who want to continue training beyond high school.
To point out to interns that constant educational growth is necessary for successful employment and good citizenship.
To graduate well‐trained, experienced workers.
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All 11th grade Academy students are required to participate in a field internship as part of the AMP requirements. During the second semester of their junior year, students are advised to find an internship with one of the AMP Academy’s community partners. The internship allows students to apply their skills in an off‐campus professional industry. Internships are usually completed over the summer between their junior and senior year, as interns are required to complete a minimum of total 30 hours of work. Interns are supported throughout the program by their instructors and are graded on hours worked, reflections, and most importantly, evaluations by their Art Portfolio teacher. Internships are typically unpaid, though paid internships are welcome.
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All AMP Academy students are required to complete a sequence of two or more career technical courses in their chosen AME (Arts, Media, Entertainment) Industry Academy pathway: Performance Arts or Visual Arts. These courses give AMP students a unique set of technical skills that can be applied to the workplace. Additionally, as part of the AMP Academy experience, students have ample exposure to project‐based teamwork, community and industry connections, presentations of learning, and off‐campus experiences in the form of field trips and job shadows.
AMP students are also proficient with various types of industry‐specific technology (according to their pathway), and all students are well versed in Microsoft applications, Google Platform applications, and social media. Last, but not least, during their first two years of the Academy, students participate in intensive hands‐on training in essential workplace soft skills, such as communication, collaboration, teamwork, solution mindset, self‐awareness, resilience, adaptability and professionalism. Students also create a professional resume, cover letter, and an online website portfolio in their Art Portfolio class. Our students are prepared to function as a valuable asset to a company in whichever work environment they intern.
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AMP student interns can be placed into their field internships in one of two ways:
(1) A student can seek out his or her own internship and apply, provided that the company or organization meets our criteria.
(2) A student can choose to interview for an internship with one of our industry or community partners who requests an intern.