A Proud Past, A Bright Future
In August 1993, the Arkansas School for Mathematics and Sciences (ASMS) opened its doors as one of the premier educational institutions in the state. The faculty and staff stood ready to meet the challenge of educating academically talented high school juniors and seniors who exhibit interest and ability in mathematics and sciences. The school was charged with the additional responsibilities of assisting teachers statewide in meeting the needs of all Arkansas students and providing distance education courses to students whose schools were unable to provide adequate and equitable educational opportunities.

As we enter our second decade of existence, new changes and challenges are on the horizon. Governance has moved from the Arkansas Department of Education to the University of Arkansas System. We have also seen the addition of an arts component, which is reflected in the name change to the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts (ASMSA). This second decade of commitment to excellence in education and subsequent expansion of our mission will enable us to serve Arkansas' students more effectively.

Arkansas has the potential to become a leader in the nation. It is imperative we prepare the leaders of tomorrow by providing and promoting a quality educational system. It is the resolve of ASMSA to assume a leadership role in this mission and to accept this challenge.

ASMSA Mission Statement
The mission of ASMSA is to create, encourage and sustain, throughout the State of Arkansas, an educational community of academically talented students, faculty and staff who pursues knowledge of mathematics, sciences and the arts. To accomplish this mission, ASMSA strives to: 1) Serve as a model for Arkansas schools; 2) Serve as a center for teacher education; 3) Provide courses and learning opportunities through distance education to improve instruction in mathematics, sciences and the arts for students and teachers throughout the State; 4) Enhance the future of Arkansas by educating eleventh and twelfth grade students academically talented in mathematics, sciences and the arts; 5) Prepare students for post secondary education by providing innovating learning experiences; and 6) Increase the public’s awareness of the importance of advanced education in mathematics, sciences and the arts.

ASMSA Philosophy
The philosophy of ASMSA is to provide a premier educational delivery system that incorporates instructional and assessment practices into a challenging and broad-based curriculum, and that serves as a center for curricular development and teacher training throughout the State. The curriculum is performance-based which allows students to demonstrate a mastery of skills and problem-solving abilities. There is additionally an interdisciplinary component to the curriculum that allows students to understand that learning strategies are consistent among all disciplines. The curricular focus is on creative, non-traditional, student-driven learning and critical thinking in a technologically enhanced environment.

ASMSA’s philosophy additionally includes a residential and social development program that is integral to its success. Programs and activities in the residence hall provide purposeful experiences that enable students to develop independence and selfdiscipline in an environment that promotes educational and behavioral excellence, personal growth, awareness and ethical decision making.

ASMSA’s ultimate goal is to graduate students who possess both the academic skills to pursue advanced training in the post-secondary arena and social skills for independent living. Through the academic and residential components of the school, ASMSA seeks to become a leader in preparing lifelong learners. The ultimate test of education is to evaluate the progress of the past, responsibly manage the consequences of such progress, and contribute to the intellectual and technological advancements of thefuture.

A Model for Success
Since opening its doors, ASMSA has developed into one of the premier institutions in the nation. Graduates of ASMSA have consistently increased ACT scores an average of four points from the average incoming score to the average exiting score. This change has kept ASMSA well within the top one percent of all schools nationwide using this measure of academic success. And the average exiting ACT score of ASMSA students is competitive with some of the best colleges and universities in the country. Colleges and universities nationwide have taken notice. Each graduating class consistently earns millions in scholarship and grant offers. Students have been accepted to schools including Harvard, Yale, Stanford, West Point, MIT, Carnegie Mellon, the Air Force Academy and Cal Tech.

What makes ASMSA students so attractive to college and universities? The primary reason is because they recognize that ASMSA students are prepared not just to attend college, but to succeed there because of the preparation students get while at ASMSA. The school has a focus on student research. Many graduates have continued the research begun here at the university level and have published their work. As ASMSA heads into its second decade, the tradition of innovative instruction and high academic expectations of students continues.

What We Represent
The school emblem symbolizes the specialized fields of mathematics, the sciences, computer science, the arts, and the University of Arkansas. Dolphins were chosen as the mascot because of their reputation of intelligence, teachable character, and ability to communicate with the human world. The human and dolphin world are linked in the selection of colors: blue, representing the vast ocean and sky, and green, representing the earth.

The Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts has created an environment that encourages students to not only "answer the questions" but also to "question the answers." It is the hope of ASMSA that our students will leave enriched with the relationships that they have made and embrace the world with the quest for truth and understanding.

TELEVISION COMMERCIAL
See the commercial airing across the state.  Click here.

TANGENTS MAGAZINE
Tangents is ASMSA's quarterly magazine covering the latest important events and people of note. The full color glossy publication is sent out to prospective students, parents, alumni, teachers, education professionals, and lawmakers throughout the state.  Click here.

LEGISLATION
The Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences & the Arts was created by the government of the State of Arkansas in 1991. Since then, the school has worked closely with lawmakers to be able to better accomplish our mission.  Click here.

BOARD OF VISITORS
The general purpose of the Board of Visitors for the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts is to perform a supporting and advising role with regard to the operation of the school. The board shall serve as a liaison between the school, parents, and other constituents, and the President and Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas.  Click here.