ASTI - An innovative small high school with an accelerated college preparatory program
A joint partnership between Alameda
USD and
College
of Alameda
Alameda Science and Technology Institute
ASTI is Alameda Unified School District’s early college high school. ASTI is a unique program that provides qualified, motivated students with a high school diploma and potentially up to two years of college credit by the time they complete their high school coursework in just four years.
The College of Alameda's Alameda Science and Technolgy Institute is supported by a grant from the Foundation of California Community Colleges' Early College High School Inititiative which is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation grant in partnership with Carnegie Corporation of New York, Ford Foundation, W. K. Kellogg Foundation.
With an impressive score of 805 on California’s Academic Performance Index (API) rating in the first year , ASTI exceeded the state target for academic excellence in its inaugural year. In ASTI's second year of operation, it skyrocketed to an API of 877/893 ~ 3rd highest in the county. The strength of the curriculum is evident in the success of the students.
ASTI is located on the College of Alameda (COA) campus. It opened in 2004 when it admitted its first students. Currently there are both 9th and 10th graders at ASTI. Each year ASTI will be adding a grade level until it reaches a maximum of 400 students, 9th through 12th grades.
In the 9th and 10th grades, ASTI students take
predominantly high school courses, transitioning to mostly
college level courses in the 11th and 12th grades. The college
courses will satisfy California high school graduation requirements
while preparing students for successful transfer to four-year
colleges or to the world of work. Students are exposed to
a rigorous and challenging college preparatory education at
no cost. Not only are students prepared for college, but ASTI
students also take college classes immediately in high school.
INSTITUTION CODECEEB: 050029
BENEFITSWhat are benefits of ASTI?
• Provides the opportunity to earn an
Associate’s Degree or up to two years of college credit
toward the baccalaureate while students are still in high
school.
• Offers a small, personalized learning environment
with small class sizes.
• Excellent resources, including the college library, access to other college libraries, a dedicated and state of the art computer lab, a new science lab, etc.
• Maximizes learning opportunities during junior and
senior years of high school.
• Facilitates the transition of motivated students into
higher education.
APPLICANTSWho should apply to ASTI?
Although a high grade point average (GPA) is
not a requirement, a high level of motivation to tackle a
rigorous and challenging curriculum is mandatory. Although
ASTI is available to all students, low-income students, first-generation
college goers, English language learners, students of color
and students who are highly capable but academically underachieving
and who need an alternative education are encouraged to apply.
APPLICATION PROCESS
What
are the steps to apply?
1. Complete and return an application packet.
2. Submit: a recent transcript, a recent copy of an attendance record, discipline history, a copy of his/her 8th grade portfolio and two letters of recommendation from either school personnel or community members. In lieu of an AUSD 8th grade portfolio, any non-AUSD student must submit a narrative essay explaining why they would be a strong candidate for ASTI describing the strengths and challenges they present. Additionally, students are also required to include three artifacts or pieces of work to support the statements contained in their narrative. For example, if one of the student’s strengths is in the area of technology, then that student might include an artifact providing evidence to support that statement, such as a Power Point presentation or project done in Excel.
3. Those students who pass the paper screening will be then asked to attend individual and group interviews.
4. If accepted, students must attend an “Orientation to ASTI ” course in and be ready to start school in August.
5. Students are responsible for providing their own transportation to and from COA.
