Alabama School of Mathematics and Science
General Information
Overview – Alabama School of Mathematics and Science
The Alabama School of Mathematics and Science (ASMS) is a prestigious, public residential high school located in Mobile, Alabama. Founded in 1989 by an act of the state legislature, ASMS provides an intensive, highly enriched learning environment for sophomores, juniors, and seniors passionate about STEM, research, and liberal arts. Rather than simply offering advanced courses, ASMS expects students to think like scholars: they take university-level classes, conduct independent research, and collaborate in a rigorous academic community.
The school manages to combine the structure of a boarding school with the accessibility of a public institution—students do not pay tuition or boarding expenses, only a modest general fee. Its mission is to nurture the next generation of scientific leaders, engineers, researchers, and innovators, and its graduates consistently attend top-tier universities, often entering with substantial college credit thanks to ASMS’s rigorous curriculum.
Contact Informations
Address: 1255 Dauphin Street, Mobile, Alabama, 36604
Phone Number: (251) 441-2100
Email Address: admissions@asms.net
School Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Established | 1989 (operational since 1991) |
| Type | Public, residential high school (Vikipedi) |
| Grades Served | 10–12 (sophomore through senior) (asms.net) |
| Accreditation | Cognia / SACS (via state) (Vikipedi) |
| Enrollment | Approximately 273 students (2024–25) (Vikipedi) |
| Nickname / Mascot | Dragons (Vikipedi) |
| School Colors | Blue and Green (Vikipedi) |
| Graduation Requirement | 27.5 Carnegie units (asms.net) |
Alabama School of Mathematics and Science Rankings
| Ranking Category | Status / Rank |
|---|---|
| State (Alabama) | Frequently ranked among top public high schools for STEM and college readiness (Alabama Political Reporter) |
| National | Recognized for rigorous AP, honors, and research-based curriculum; selected for its accelerated, college-level education (asms.net) |
Alabama School of Mathematics and Science Academics
Alabama School of Mathematics and Science Departments
- Biology / Life Sciences
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Computer Science
- English / Humanities
- History / Social Studies
- World Languages
- Fine Arts
- Physical Education
Alabama School of Mathematics and Science Courses and Programs
Students at ASMS choose from a vast curriculum of more than 200 college-equivalent courses. These include core AP subjects (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, English, History), advanced math (multivariable calculus, differential equations), engineering and research, creative writing, studio art, and advanced foreign languages. In addition, ASMS supports interdisciplinary “concentrations” similar to university majors, such as Medical Sciences, Engineering, and Research Fellows, allowing students to specialize deeply.
Online Learning
ASMS emphasizes its residential, face-to-face learning model and does not primarily operate as an online school. However, digital platforms and blended instruction are used to enhance learning, support student collaboration, and manage advanced coursework. Virtual resources may be used for research, test prep, and supplemental instruction, but the core curriculum is delivered in person on campus.
Average Test Scores
| Test | Average / Typical Score |
|---|---|
| ACT (Composite) | ~30 (average among graduates) (asms.net) |
| AP Exam Pass Rate | 95% of students score 3 or higher on AP exams (historically) (asms.net) |
Retention and Graduation Rates
ASMS retains students on an annual basis, and admission is reviewed every year. According to its community handbook, students must remain in good academic and residential standing to be invited back for the next year. Graduation requires the completion of 27.5 Carnegie units in rigorous, college-caliber courses. Notably, 100% of ASMS graduates go on to higher education, with many earning significant merit-based scholarships. (asms.net)
Alabama School of Mathematics and Science Admissions
GPA Range and Test Range
Admission to ASMS is competitive and considers academic achievement, maturity, and extracurricular participation. There is no strict cutoff GPA published, but prospective students should demonstrate strong performance in high school-level coursework, especially in STEM subjects. Standardized test scores like the ACT are considered in the context of applications, along with essays and demonstrated motivation.
Alabama School of Mathematics and Science Acceptance Rate
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | Not publicly disclosed; selection is competitive based on applicant pool, test scores, academic record, and demonstrated potential for research and leadership (asms.net) |
Alabama School of Mathematics and Science Application Requirements
To apply, students submit academic transcripts, a record of activities, teacher recommendations, and possibly an essay or personal statement. The selection process is holistic: admissions staff evaluate not only grades and test scores but also personal maturity and readiness for a residential learning environment. There is no tuition, but students pay a general fee, and boarding is provided at no extra cost, reflecting ASMS’s commitment to accessible, high-level STEM education.
Application Process
- Complete and submit the online application (free) (asms.net)
- Provide transcript and school records
- Submit teacher recommendations and activity summaries
- Write or respond to personal reflections / essay prompt
- Visit campus or attend an information session (recommended)
- Await admissions decision and, if accepted, confirm enrollment
Alabama School of Mathematics and Science Application Deadlines / Important Dates
| Event | Timing |
|---|---|
| Application Opens | Annually, for sophomores and juniors (exact dates vary) |
| Information Sessions / Tours | Offered throughout the fall to prospective students |
| Decision Notification | Typically in the spring |
Essay Prompt
Applicants are generally asked to submit a personal statement that reflects their academic interests, especially in STEM, their long-term goals, and why they want to attend a residential STEM school. The essay helps the admissions committee assess maturity, motivation, and fit for ASMS’s intensive environment.
Alabama School of Mathematics and Science Scholarships
As a public residential school, ASMS does not charge traditional tuition or boarding costs. Students do not pay tuition, and room and board are provided, making scholarship-style financial support built into the model. The state funds operating costs, while a foundation helps with campus maintenance and student fees.
Alabama School of Mathematics and Science Tuition Fee (Costs)
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $0 (public school) (asms.net) |
| Boarding / Room & Board | $0 (covered by school) |
| General Fee | Modest annual general fee (for all students) (asms.net) |
Student Profile and Demographics
Student Demographics
ASMS enrolls approximately 270–280 students in any given year, representing sophomores through seniors. The student body is drawn from across the entire state of Alabama, with admitted students from many counties. This geographic diversity enriches the residential community and ensures a wide range of backgrounds in terms of socioeconomic status, race, and perspectives.
Low-Income Students / Students with Disabilities
ASMS is designed to serve talented students statewide, including those from low-income backgrounds. Because room and board are provided at no cost, financial barriers are significantly lowered. However, the school’s handbook notes limited accommodations: ASMS does not fully support certain formal 504 plans or IEP modifications for 504/IEP-style accommodations. (asms.net) Students must maintain academic and residential discipline to continue enrollment.
Student Body
| Metric | Value / Note |
|---|---|
| Total Enrollment | ~273 students (2024–25) (Vikipedi) |
| Residential Students | All students live on campus (residential high school) |
| Term Structure | Operates on a three-term academic calendar; students take a minimum of five courses per term (asms.net) |
School Diversity
ASMS fosters a diverse residential community by recruiting students from across Alabama’s 67 counties, ensuring a rich mix of urban, rural, and suburban backgrounds. This diversity is both geographic and socioeconomic: many students come from underrepresented or underserved areas, and the model supports equal opportunity through room and board coverage. The school also promotes intellectual and cultural diversity through its wide array of academic concentrations—students specialize in everything from molecular biology to creative writing to advanced mathematics. Residential life encourages cross-disciplinary collaboration, peer mentoring, and leadership, as students from different backgrounds interact daily in classrooms, labs, and dormitories. This environment cultivates global thinkers and responsible citizens, ready to contribute in a variety of fields.
Average Earnings
While ASMS itself is a high school and does not track “average earnings” of its alumni, its impact is seen in long-term outcomes: graduates commonly matriculate to selective colleges and universities, often with merit scholarships. Many alumni go on to STEM fields, research careers, engineering, medicine, or graduate programs. The rigorous curriculum, research experience, and college-level coursework position students to be highly competitive in the job market, and their early exposure to advanced studies likely contributes to high-earning potential in adulthood.
Alabama School of Mathematics and Science Faculty and Staff
Teachers and Staff
ASMS employs faculty with strong academic credentials, including master’s degrees and doctorates. Instructors often have college or university-level teaching experience and expertise in their fields. The residential program also involves student life staff, residential advisors, lab supervisors, and support personnel who help create a holistic living-learning environment.
Faculty Profiles
Faculty at ASMS are scholars, researchers, and educators deeply committed to mentoring high school students. Many serve as research mentors for the Research Fellows Program, guiding students through original, college-level research projects. These faculty bring high-level content knowledge, pedagogical skill, and a passion for developing young minds. Their accomplishments include publications, advanced degrees, conference presentations, and long-standing service in STEM education.
Alabama School of Mathematics and Science Campus and Student Life
Campus Life
ASMS’s residential campus is situated in the Dauphin Way Historic District of Mobile, Alabama, offering students an immersive living-learning community. Dormitories, dining facilities, modern labs, and collaborative academic spaces encourage both academic rigor and social growth. Students live on campus while attending classes, work on research, and participate in extracurricular clubs, honor societies, and student organizations. The school also hosts “Special Projects Week” each term, allowing students to deeply explore self-chosen topics under faculty guidance.
Transportation
Students typically arrive at ASMS via travel from their home counties across the state at the start and end of terms. While on campus, daily mobility is easy: academic buildings, labs, residence halls, and dining areas are within walking distance. For local needs, the campus infrastructure supports safe pedestrian traffic, and off-campus opportunities—such as field trips or community engagement—are regularly organized with transportation by school vehicles or arranged through partnerships.