Alabama School of Mathematics and Science

The Alabama School of Mathematics and Science (ASMS) is a public residential high school in midtown Mobile, Alabama. Along with the Alabama School of Fine Arts, they are considered the state's top magnet schools and draw students from around the state. ASMS is a member of the NCSSSMST and graduated its first class in 1993.

The school was founded in 1989 as a unique public-private partnership. The Alabama School of Mathematics and Science is part of the state government, while the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science Foundation coordinates private support. It was modeled after the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics and the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts where students complete their final two or three years of high school focusing on advanced studies in mathematics and the sciences. It does not charge for tuition, books, room, or board. The only fee is an annual "activities fee" which covers class trips and other day-to-day activities.

Academics
All courses are taught at the Advanced Placement or Honors level. Most teachers at the school have a doctorate, and all have at least a masters degree. The strong academic program, which is comprehensive in the sciences as well as the humanities, is complemented by varsity and intramural sports, residential life activities, and college counseling.

Admission is open to all Alabama high school students via a process akin to college admissions. Initially, students could enter only as high school juniors, but in September 1998 the school also allowed sophomores to apply for entry. Students have been admitted as seniors, but this is extremely rare.

Historically, the average student admitted raises his or her ACT score by four points from entry to the time of graduation. However, this cannot be directly attributed to the school. Standardized test scores typically improve with repeat examinations and as students progress through high school.

Facilities
The school was formerly the site of Dauphin Way Baptist Church and underwent extensive alterations to create classrooms, laboratories, and dormitories. In May 2006 the school commenced groundbreaking on the first new building since the building of the Boy's Dorm. This construction demolished the old Student Activities Center (SAC), and is in the process of rebuilding it. The SAC included the library, gym, exercise and weight rooms, mail and reception facilities, nurse's office, and recreation room.

The girls' dormitory is spread out over two buildings, floors one through four being in the girls' dorm building, while the "fifth floor" is actually on the fourth floor of the humanities building. The boys' dormitory is contained in one two-story building. Both the boys' and girls' dorms are divided into four halls- Einstein, Curie, Newton, and DaVinci- which compete in several contests, such as a talent show, throughout the school year to determine the year's winning house.

School Traditions
In Fall of 2003, Mike Zambrano '05, president of High Fantasy a role playing and card game club, began organizing an activity designed to bring together several of the student organizations to pool resources and create a large, entertainment oriented event that involved the whole student body. Responsibility was delegated between the Presidents of: the DDR club, Matt McCawly '05; the Anime club, Licki Kallenberg '05; the role playing club, Mike Zambrano '05; and Anindo Sarker '05. The event, known as Geekfest, has become a staple of ASMS, being held almost every term. The principal organizers for the 05-06 year were Jonathan Kush '06 and Jean-Jacques DeLisle '06, presidents of the anime and RPG clubs respectively. Several 'Geekfest Deacons' were chosen to organize the activities for the 06-07 year to spread the responsibilities. For the 07-08 year, William Noble will be the principal organizer.
 * Geekfest

The event is much like a small convention for all the student organizations that are deemed nerdy and a large amount of food. Activities generally consist of: anime and/or film showings, a LAN party for PCs and XboX, independent console games, board games, card games, DDR, Guitar Hero, karaoke (only for the first Geekfest), and Geek trivia (only for spring of '06 Geekfest.) Though generally held from 12am-6am on either a Saturday or Sunday morning, times have fluctuated with each term. Also, renovations to the SAC have caused the event to be moved to several different locations. The event also often brings recent alumni back to the school.

The School administration has on several occasions attempted to shut-down or make excessive changes to the event. These attempts were most noticeably fought by Anindo Sarker and later by Jean-Jacques DeLisle through private discussions with various administration officials.

On the last weekend before finals of every term, the school hosts Stress Fest, designed to alleviate students stress and give them time to enjoy themselves before tests. The event mainly consists of: field games, tournaments, a rock wall, ice cream truck, tie-die t-shirts, barbecue, and live bands.
 * Stress Fest

Student Publications

 * Oculus,
 * Lingo,

Notable Alumni

 * Virgil Griffith
 * Erin Clements - Anarcha-feminist
 * Matthew Renihan - Registered Rhymnocologist and Noted Chinchilla Expert
 * Dylan Vest - King of the United States Navy