InTucker Magazine

TUCKER MIDDLE SCHOOL

Tucker Middle School’s STEM program is S.T.E.M. Academy. Its online application for the following school year opens in January and closes mid-March. The curriculum focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics according to the Georgia Department of Education’s dedicated program.

“The mission of the Tucker Middle School STEM Academy is to EXPOSE students to STEM careers, EQUIP them with the skills needed to be successful, and ENGAGE students in solving the real-work problems of today.”

Participating students agree to take accelerated courses including Carnegie math, science, technology and a research project in eighth grade. They may also participate in STEM competitions like the Science Olympiad, Robotics Team, Odyssey of the Mind and Science and Technology Fairs.

TMS offers a curriculum that is integrated with the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme, an academic program weaved throughout the entire school and sets the tone for those that apply for the International Baccalaureate Careers and Diploma Programmes at Tucker High School. The application process for IBCP and IBDP are through the School Choice Program administered by the DeKalb County School District. There are academic requirements as well as interviews and students may apply in eight and tenth grades.

TMS offers participation in the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme, a rigorous academic program that feeds into the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program at Tucker High School.

Eighth grade is also the time for students planning to attend THS to decide whether to apply for the Scientific Tools & Techniques (STT) Program. The program allows ninth graders to complete accelerated coursework in Biology and Environmental Science at the Fernbank Science Center, earning two high school science credits in a single semester at no cost.

TUCKER HIGH SCHOOL

Tucker High School has two different tracks for students depending on whether they are preparing for a four-year university or a two-year technical college. The college preparatory route requires at least two units of a foreign language; earning the honors distinction requires three. The career technology track requires only one unit of a foreign language.

Students interested in attending four-year colleges are encouraged to challenge themselves with Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses.

Tucker High School students are required to complete three units of Pathways and up to two general electives depending on their choice of Honors/Distinction, College Preparatory or Career Technology diplomas. These electives will fall into the Career Technology Agriculture Education (C.T.A.E.) Pathways categories or the Humanities Pathways. Students may change their pathways after ninth grade, but they must earn three full years of their pathway.

Once students reach high school, they can consider dual enrollment classes. These are college classes that count for both high school and college credit and may be supported by Dual Enrollment Funding up to 30 semester hours. Details on dual enrollment and the online application can be found at gafutures.org

Ready to get a head start on industry recognized certifications? Tucker High School students can earn credits at DeKalb High School of Technology-North, located at Cross Keys High School, in fi elds like construction, automotive repair, manufacturing and more.

Juniors and seniors preparing for careers may participate in Work Based Learning. This allows students to earn wages while learning on the job and developing relationships with employers.