Claes Nobel School of Distinction
To nominate your school for consideration, please email Dr. Susan Thurman with an explanation of why your school deserves this recognition. Be sure to include your name and contact information, the school's name and city, and a link to the school's website.
We are pleased to recognize Loudoun Academy of Science (AOS), in Sterling, Virginia, as a Claes Nobel School of Distinction for its innovative approach to developing future scientists. Loudoun County Public School opened the Academy for 9-12 grades in 2006; students attend AOS on alternative days, taking science, math, and research classes at AOS and all other courses at their home schools. The alternating schedule allows them to continue involvement in their academic and extra-curricular activities at their home school, while participating in a research-based challenging math and science program. The cornerstone of instruction at 9th and 10th grades is an integrated physical science course that includes the study of earth science, chemistry and physics. Upperclassmen participate in a Science Research Course in addition to AP Science and AP Math offerings. The Science Research Course is geared toward developing scientific habits of mind, as well as integrating math, writing, and communication skills into scientific experimentation. The AOS is building a mentorship program with local and regional science organizations, including the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) at Janelia Farms, with plans to engage student participation in research at the AOS as well as in the scientific community. The faculty of the AOS in collaboration with staff at HHMI hopes to develop a national model for teaching inquiry-based, interdisciplinary science and math.
Interest in this model has received global attention; representative from Singapore’s Hwa Chong Institution visited AOS in March to study the way the AOS curriculum integrates the sciences in the ninth and 10th grades, the inclusion of math in the science program, and the inquiry-based methods AOS faculty use to teach math and science. Hwa Chong is the premier high school in Singapore, whose test scores in math and science are consistently the highest in the world. The Loudoun Academy of Science was the only school the delegation from Singapore visited while in America.
Congratulations to Director George Wolfe and the Loudoun Academy of Science which will receive $500 from The National Society of High School Scholars Foundation to help support the success of this model school.