Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the average class size?
A. Average class size is 27.
Q. How many students are enrolled?
A. The enrollment at AMS is 513 students: 156 eighth graders, 167 seventh graders, and 190 sixth graders.
Q. Does AMS have trailers (portables) in use?
A. No, AMS does not have any portable classrooms. The school is large enough to allow each grade level to have their own entrance, hallways, and stairwells.
Q. What is the Middle Years Programme (MYP)?
A. The International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) meets the needs of all students. It is a program of international education designed to help students develop the knowledge, understanding, attitudes and skills necessary to participate actively and responsibly in a changing world. For more information, click here to visit the IBO website.
Q. How do I apply to the MYP?
Starting with the 2008–2009 school year, all sixth grade students coming from AMS feeder elementary schools (Eastport, Georgetown East, Hillsmere, and Tyler Heights) are automatically enrolled in the MYP. Out-of-area students must submit an application. To learn more, contact Laura Lane, IB MYP Coordinator Designate, or visit the AMS IB MYP web page.
Q. What high school classes does AMS offer?
A. There are many advanced classes including world languages, Algebra, and Geometry.
Q. What world languages are taught?
A. Chinese, French and Spanish
Q. What assurance do parents have that kids will be safe at AMS?
A. The school has monitored video cameras at entrances, a resource officer on duty during school hours, and visitors must sign in/out in the main office. Furthermore, all visitors must provide a state-issued photo ID to receive stick-on badges (with pictures on them) with destination noted. All staff members wear ID badges. Students are not permitted in the halls during class time unless they have a signed pass.
Q. What is the discipline like at AMS?
A. Discipline at Annapolis Middle School is in line with the other middle schools in the county. In our efforts to maintain a safe and orderly environment in which quality learning takes place, it is necessary to use appropriate measures of discipline. The staff and administration put forth every effort to ensure that each student has the opportunity to learn and to be as successful as he/she chooses to be. Those students who choose not to follow the policies and procedures expressed in the AACPS Student Handbook will be dealt with accordingly.
Q. What activities does AMS offer?
A. All students are encouraged to participate in AMS After-School Clubs and Activities. There are no costs involved and students may switch or join most clubs and activities throughout the school year. Regularly offered activities include: Student Government, National Junior Honor Society, Newspaper, Yearbook, Intra-murals, Band, Strings, Jazz, and Chorus. Additional clubs this year may include: Robotics, Drama, the Well-Balanced Club, Destination Imagination, Model UN, 3-D Enterprises, Student Productions, and SIM City. Activities are held after school on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Activity buses transport students home and will depart the school at 3:50 p.m. (If your child rides a shuttle bus for MYP, parents must provide transportation.)
Q. What is the AMS Uniform Policy?
A. Effective this school year, all students are required to comply with the AMS Uniform Policy. A committee of AMS parents designed this policy in accordance with AACPS requirements and a majority of AMS parents voted to approve it last spring. Students have the opportunity to wear polos in four different colors (navy blue, white, gray and “Baltimore Ravens” dark purple) tucked into either navy blue or khaki bottoms (may choose shorts or pants, capris, skirts/skorts or jumpers). A plain black, brown or navy blue belt must be worn at all times. Shoes must have covered toes. Cargo pants (as well as cargo-style shorts, skirts, and capris) with large exterior pockets are not permitted. Students may wear AMS Sweatshirts and solid sweaters or sweatshirts without hoods in the same colors as the polos. Please read the entire AMS Uniform Policy for more details.
Q. Is there ample time for students to eat lunch?
A. There are three 25-minute lunch periods daily (one for each grade level). Students are permitted sufficient time to eat their lunches. The cafeteria staff serves food in a timely manner, trying to avoid delays and long lines. Lunch costs $2.25 or items may be purchased á la carte. There is also a “Snack Line” where students may purchase mozzarella sticks, nachos, chips, pizza, etc.
Q. Does the school offer breakfast?
A. All students at AMS have the opportunity to eat an optional breakfast each morning at no charge. Students will eat in their Caring Community/ homeroom classes. Offerings include milk, juice or fruit, and a snack—such as a muffin, cereal, and graham crackers. This program, which is called the Maryland Meals for Achievement (MMFA), will be funded with money from the federal School Breakfast Program and with state funds awarded to our school by the Maryland State Department of Education.
Q. How can students get help if they have a problem?
A. There are three, full-time counselors to assist students with academic and personal concerns. Additionally, the assistant principals and teachers are available for assistance, as well as the school social worker, psychologist, and pupil personnel worker.
Q. How do students know all the school rules and expectations?
A. Students attend programs at the beginning of the year (and/or during orientation) where staff members go over school rules and other valid information. Students’ agenda books contain the Code of Student Conduct and information from the AACPS Student Handbook and outline school expectations, uniform/dress code, transportation guidelines and other pertinent data to assist students toward a successful school year.
Q. Where will my child go to high school?
A. The majority of Annapolis Middle School students attend Annapolis High School, which offers students the opportunity to apply to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme if they’d like to continue what they’ve learned in the MYP.
