Athens Independent School District provides an educational experience based on individualized consideration. The motto of the district, initiated by Superintendent Dr. Fred Hayes, is “High expectations for everyone. Learning for everyone. Respect for everyone.” and is the standard for all in this school district. For the first time in history, Athens boasts two exemplary campuses at Bel Air and South Elementary Schools. RC Fisher remains a recognized campus. The goal is to reach all exemplary campuses and meet the needs of all.
Our mission statement is “Athens ISD strives to create an environment where students reach their full potential and become productive successful citizens.”
To meet the dictates of this mission AISD operates with team spirit. Each employee is proud to be involved with this Team Education Athens Mission. TEAM works for the best interests of students. TEAM consists of teachers, administrators, counselors, custodians, secretaries, educational assistants, cafeteria workers and bus drivers. Schools remain one of the greatest opportunities for involving youth and adults in affirmative ways, giving students the sense that they are respected and appreciated, and reinforcing the message that whether they succeed or fail actually matters to someone.
Student achievement is job one for AISD. Each and every child is important to us as an individual. Our goal is to meet his or her needs. To help us open the door to the future for our students, we consistently upgrade technology resources. Advancements in technology allow teachers to keep up with the ever-changing world and to pass that knowledge on their students. Students are also being provided with more and more technology which enhances their critical thinking, problem solving and decision making skills. We have reached a crucial time in our history where workers at all levels will be required to have more than a basic working knowledge of technology. Our students will be well equipped to meet those needs. This creates future learners who are informed, responsible, and caring citizens in a global community.
Every classroom is now equipped with a computer projector and an ELMO. Students and teachers will be amazed at the innovations these pieces of machinery will provide in the classroom when they return this fall. We now have laptop carts for every classroom. These computers will allow a vast array of lessons to be utilized in all subject areas.
AISD maintains seven separate campuses including some built as early as 1956. AISD is a single attendance district, which assures that each grade level is housed together. This configuration increases cooperation among teachers thereby impacting student performance in a positive manner. Individual campuses truly address the needs of that grade level while building a sense of unity.
Athens High School ~
9th-12th Grades
High school is a time of transition. AHS strives to give students a strong academic and social foundation. What they do in these four years can determine their future in life. In the 21st century no one will be able to move forward without a basic knowledge of technology.
Principal Michael Wetchensky says, “Athens High School provides a great opportunity for students to learn, to grow and to get involved. With great teachers and a variety of activities, we offer a wonderful chance for students to not only enjoy their high school experience but also prepare for the future.”
Students may learn what they see as their future career options through the many and varied electives offered. Just a few of these options are journalism, agriculture, transportation, family consumer science, business, technology, and criminal justice to health science.
A new college/career center provides resources and advice for career and higher education planning. Computer assisted programs can aid students with college selection, scholarship searches, and career choices.
Another innovation is the addition of the Academic Dean of Instruction position to oversee academic programs on campus. The Dean of Instruction is responsible for maximizing the learning in all classrooms by providing access and support to teachers to implement innovative programs and effective teaching strategies while also supporting intervention programs for at-risk student populations.
Enhancing the Athens High School Advanced Placement Incentive Program allows for more AP courses, which are the most advanced curriculum available to talented, high-achieving high school students. The value of AP courses is priceless for college bound students.
Dual credit is another option for Athens High students. In over twenty courses, juniors and seniors may choose dual credit to receive high school and college credit for the same class on AHS or the Trinity Valley Community College (TVCC) campuses.
Students who want to fill the growing demand for teachers during the coming years may be certified as an Elementary School Teacher Assistant while participating in the Texas Grow Your Own Teacher program. AISD offers this “grow-your-own” program that provides financial aid to students who agree to return to their school district as teachers after graduation from college. Those interested in the health science technology may become Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) through coursework as well as onsite training.
Alternative Programs offered at Athens High
Reconnections
For students who encounter circumstances which prevent them from being successful in a traditional school environment, the Reconnections Program provides an opportunity to experience academic enrichment in a non-traditional school setting. The program is self-paced and is tailored to provide students assistance as they work to redeem lost credits or to master skills missed at earlier grade levels.
Credit Recovery
This program is designed to allow students who have lost credit for any of a number of reasons the opportunity to regain those credits in an alternative educational setting. Students, in the Credit Recovery Program, use a comprehensive, computer-based online learning system as well as other assignments based on the TEKS/TAKS-aligned curriculum provided by AISD.
Disciplinary Alternative
Education Program (DAEP)
This plan is dedicated to providing a safe, highly structured, short-term placement for students in grades 1-12 who have violated the Athens ISD Code of Conduct and the Texas Education Code.
Student focused and IEP driven, this program targets student behavior, social skills and academics. Strict rules and a library-like atmosphere challenge students to accept responsibility for their actions and to treat themselves and others with respect.
Athens Middle School ~
7th and 8th Grades
Athens Middle School, built in 2001, is the newest facility in AISD. These are the years where children begin to test their boundaries while in the midst of huge emotional and social growth.
Principal Diana Vaughn says, “I have often been told that life is a self-fulfilling prophecy and that we live up to what we believe we can achieve. Most of us can point to a particular influence—not necessarily a teacher, but perhaps a parent, friend, or mentor—who made us believe we could succeed, who inspired us, and gave us the courage to reach for our dreams. We know that whatever our students believe about themselves becomes how they will live their lives. That’s why at Athens Middle School we believe it to be so critically important for our school to instill a belief in success and to instill that belief often in our daily practice.”
Some programs in which our students excel include: University Interscholastic League (UIL), Academic Rodeo, and Theatre Arts. The One Act Play has won first place for seven of the last eight years. Our choir and band programs are recognized in regional competition. The band has been selected winner of the 2007 Outstanding Performance Series for the CC Marching category. The National Student Council, National Junior Honor Society, Spanish Club and Model United Nations achieve annual awards. Duke University Talent Identification Program chooses students from AMS who are academically talented. Eighth graders have an opportunity to stay for a week at Prude Ranch engaged in life challenging experiences where they live off the land and explore geological formations. Our state of the art library for middle school students is first-rate.
R. C. Fisher Campus ~ 6th Grade
This Recognized Campus is a “Great Place to Learn!” for our sixth graders. RC Fisher is an award winning campus traditionally rich in academic success. Texas Monthly recognized RC Fisher as “One of the Top-Performing Schools in Texas”. RC Fisher is also a TBEC Just for the Kids honor roll campus.
Principal Kelly Madden says, “Sixth grade is such a unique and remarkable year in a child’s life. It is quite rewarding to watch the children transition from elementary to secondary. They truly spend much of this year finding themselves and their individuality. The staff at RC Fisher is superb as they balance the academic success and the character of each child with diligence. The family atmosphere and collaboration attribute to the success of the campus. I feel blessed to be a part of RC Fisher.”
Students on this campus are transitioning from elementary to secondary education and changing classes, having lockers and choosing an elective for the first time in their educational experience. Changing classes six times a day allows students to get a sense of community as they realize they are growing.
Athens Intermediate ~
4th and 5th Grades
Athens Intermediate School was built in 1966 and opened that fall as a junior high school. AIS fosters values, traditions and the rich sense of community encouraged by the Athens school district.
Principal Janie Sims says,” “The first thing guests notice when visiting Athens Intermediate School is the positive and caring atmosphere. The staff has developed a culture of care that extends from their concern for each other to the nurturing of the students entrusted to them. It is evident that the focus of the campus is on student learning and well-being. Ours is a learning community built on true teamwork and effort, and it is my privilege to guide such a campus.”
Several programs are used to benefit students on the campus. One of these is the Bridges program. It specifically targets students who may have difficulty with visual and motor skills, and works hand-in-hand with the dyslexia program. It provides another source of screening and assessment for student needs, and assists in monitoring student progress.
AIS is currently home to the elementary age Life Skills class. Students with a variety of disabilities and challenges including autism and visual impairment, find a haven in this class, and are challenged to reach academic goals and motor skills goals in the specially equipped motor lab.
Athens Intermediate School has entered a partnership with the First Baptist Church, in a program sponsored by Buckner Children and Family Services. This unique mentoring program currently serves over 350 schools in 27 states. Trained adult mentors are partnered with students to assist them academically and socially. These mentors meet with students on a weekly basis throughout the school year. The campus hopes to offer the program to about thirty students.
South Athens Elementary ~
2nd and 3rd Grades
South Athens is an Exemplary campus whose mission and obligation for educators is to assure that every child experience success to achieve a productive and fulfilling future. “A Professional Learning Community where failure is not an Option” is the campus motto. We believe that “Excellence is not reserved for a select few but is available to everyone. To insure this, the faculty provides a strong foundation upon which success can be achieved, scaffolds learning through intervention and enriches knowledge through hands-on experiential exploration.
Principal Louis DeRosa says, “ It is the goal of South Athens staff to afford each individual student the opportunity of attaining his/her maximum academic potential.”
We recognize that students represent a diverse collection of talents, personalities, aspirations, and skills and seek to develop these skills and interests to the highest degree. Students are given opportunities to display their knowledge and talents by participating in Academic Rodeo, University Interscholastic League and Henderson County Music Festival.
Bel Air Elementary ~
Kindergarten and 1st Grade
At this Exemplary Campus Bel Air Elementary is “Where the learning begins.” Faculty and staff members here recognize the importance of these first years. They enjoy the excitement of kindergarten students and observe the motivation of a first grader.
Principal Renee Campbell says, “We are very excited to be rated as an EXEMPLARY Campus this year. We achieved this great accomplishment based on the great instruction and genuine concern that we have for every one of the children that attend Bel Air Elementary. You feel the warm welcome when you walk into our building. The school is made up of wonderful children, an awesome staff, and caring parents.”
Students are put through a variety of activities such as music, physical education, computers and library. Daily lesson plans include health, fine arts and social skills in each classroom. Bel Air participates in the District Dual Language program with much success. Reading intervention is available for students who may experience difficulties with reading. For students identified as Gifted and Talented or other high achieving students, there is an Enrichment program.
Parents and community members are always welcome on our campus where there are a variety of mentoring programs through Snap Dragon, TVCC and the Athens High School Ambassadors program. Volunteers are embraced.
AISD Annex
Diversity is the focus of this campus as it serves students just beginning the elementary education and secondary students ready to finish their education. In 2007-2008 the Annex began providing a Ninth Grade Center for students who are just beginning their high school experience. The majority of core courses for freshmen will be on the Annex campus thereby reducing traffic to the main campus of AHS.
Principal Renee Campbell says, “The Athens Annex motto is ‘ Where IT all starts’. We feel that the Athens Annex is where the students of AISD start on the road to success. We take the District slogan this year, ‘It matters,’ together with ours to form a our vision.”
The Annex mission is to provide an exemplary academic pre-school program focused on successful student achievement, productive and responsible citizenship, motivational techniques infused with a strong sense of worth.
The Early Childhood wing of the Annex is an active place throughout the year. In addition to classroom instruction, there are many special events and activities for students, families and the community.
Pre-Kindergarten, Head Start, Program for Children with Disabilities (PPCD)
Pre K – The pre K program provides quality instruction for four year olds. Students qualify for the program based on income or language. (English is not the child’s first language). Students who do not qualify based on language or income are able to attend the program by paying a monthly tuition fee of $300.
Head Start is a federal program that provides services for the entire family. Head Start gives four year olds a “Head Start” in preparing them for kindergarten. Students qualify for Head Start based on household income.
In order to meet individual needs, classrooms are blended with pre- K and Head Start students. There is a 20/2 ratio in each classroom. No more than 20 students with one certified teacher and one paraprofessional are in one classroom.
Pre K guidelines in which students are taught letters, sounds and many leave the program able to read. Students are taught to read in their primary language – English or Spanish.
With a very active Parent Teacher Organization there are monthly parent meetings. Covering topics such as “What to do when your child get sick”, nutrition, “Discipline vs. Punishment” and much more. |
