Questions & Answers
1. What makes the MAST Academy different from a traditional high school?
Established in September 1991 and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, MAST is the only maritime and science technology magnet high school in the Miami-Dade County Public School system. The school is staffed by a principal, one assistant principal, one lead teacher, and 43 full and part-time faculty members of whom approximately 75% hold advanced degrees. The student-teacher ratio is 1:25.
MAST has 550 students in grades 9-12. The school includes a pool, boathouse and docks, fitness center, high-tech auditorium, and a media center with over 19,000 print and non-print items. Classes are equipped with the latest subject-appropriate equipment. Computers are available throughout the school.
The MAST Academy offers a unique and rigorous marine-theme curriculum and superb facilities with access to the local Biscayne Bay ecosystem. The small size of the school, low student-teacher ratio, and parent, community and corporate involvement contribute to the success of the MAST Academy as an educational institution.
2. What special academic programs does MAST feature?
MAST students complete 28 credits for graduation (five more than the district requirement). Students earn a major in Oceanic and Atmospheric Science Technology, Marine Studies and Culture, or Maritime Related Industries. MAST Academy requires students to complete four years of both mathematics and science. The school provides a wide array of course offerings: thirteen AP courses, solar energy (for both high school and dual enrollment credit), film studies, four dual enrollment courses in science, and the only Coast Guard JROTC program in the nation. Students also complete an internship requirement in settings ranging from Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and Southeast Fisheries to the University of Miami’s Rosensteil School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.
3. What recognition has MAST received?
The U.S. Department of Education named the MAST Academy a New American High School Showcase Site in 2000. We have also been recognized as a State of Florida High-Performing School, a Magnet School of Merit (1996, 1998), and were featured in Redbook and Business Week magazines. For the past six years, the school has received an “A” rating from the Florida Department of Education. In 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 Newsweek included MAST Academy in its list of the top 100 schools in the nation. In 2008 and 2009, US News and World Report included MAST in its list of the country’s Top High Schools. In 1996 and again in 2006, the USDOE named MAST Academy a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. In 2010, MAST was one of six Finalists in the White House Commencement Challenge. Also in 2010, Ladies Home Journal featured MAST Academy as one of the “Ten Most Amazing High Schools in the Country.”
4. What clubs and activities are available to students?
The MAST Academy offers numerous opportunities for student participation. Clubs and honor societies include National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, French Honor Society, Social Studies Honor Society, Science Club, Gay/Straight Alliance, Future Teachers of America, and several others. School publications include our award-winning newspaper and yearbook. We also produce a creative writing magazine, Spilt Milk.
5. How do MAST parents access school technology?
Parents may contact the Principal’s Secretary at 305-365-6278 to schedule computer time in the Parent Information Center. MAST also maintains a webpage: gomakos.com. The Parent and Family Portal icon will take visitors to a virtual resource page.
6. How do I contact my child’s teacher?
Faculty e-mail addresses and contact information are available on our webpage (gomakos.com) through the school’s main office at (305) 365-6278, and in your child’s agenda.
7. What schools and colleges have accepted MAST students for undergraduate studies?
Since 1994, college acceptances have come from Amherst, Annapolis, Auburn, Boston College, Boston University, Brown, CalTech, Carnegie Mellon, Clark, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Duke, Emerson, Emory, Georgetown, Georgia Tech, Grinnell, Harvard, Haverford, Holy Cross, Howard, Johns Hopkins, Mt. Holyoke, MIT, New College, NYU, Oberlin, Princeton, Reed, Rollins, Rutgers, Simmons, Smith, Stetson, Swarthmore, Tulane, University of Chicago, University of Miami, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Pennsylvania, Vanderbilt, Vassar, Washington University, Webb Institute of Naval Architecture, Wellesley, Wesleyan, West Point, Williams, Vassar, Yale, and schools throughout the Florida state university system. In 2011, the 131-member graduating class received over 10 million dollars in scholarships.
8. If your child is accepted at MAST, will he/she receive transportation?
Students who live more than two miles from the school will be provided transportation. Some students will travel to and from MAST by direct bus; others by a combination of bus, Metrorail, and shuttle (from the Vizcaya station).
9. Where can we get information about MAST’s curriculum?
Three ways: 1) visit gomakos.com and click on “Forms and Publications” and then “Curriculum Bulletin”; 2) for a more compact presentation review Charting a Course (also available on the website); and 3) tour the School any Tuesday (by appointment only) at 10:00 A.M. to learn about our unique program.
10. When will parents know whether their child has been accepted at MAST?
Depending on the arrival of the random selection lists, we will begin notifying students and their families on or about March 15th of each year.
11. How are students entered into the random selection process?
Students who qualify to attend MAST are entered into random selection. (See #12.)
12. How are applications to MAST evaluated?
We will review academic and conduct grades along with attendance and a current-year science teacher recommendation. The school requires that students applying for 9th grade be enrolled in Algebra 1 Honors and Earth/Space Science Honors in 8th grade. Students applying for 10th grade must be enrolled in Geometry and Biology. Students must have a GPA of at least 2.5 in academics and conduct. We look closely at attendance. Students who go to lottery will have no more than 10 excused or unexcused absences in the previous year. Students must submit a recommendation from their current-year science teacher using the form available on the Admissions site at gomakos.com.
Private or parochial or charter school parents must request that an official transcript be sent directly to MAST. Where applicable: math and/or science course Florida Virtual School (FLVS) documentation must be submitted by parents directly to MAST. Registration for FLVS math and science courses must be taken care of early enough so that the student has at least a progress grade by January 15th. Enrollment in FLVS courses does not suffice; there must be a progress grade by January 15th.
13. Why does MAST Academy recommend that interested students get their applications in by the winter break?
We recommend that students submit their applications as early as possible so that we can work more closely with families in the event documents—such as official grades from private or parochial school students-- are missing from a child’s file. It is a parent’s responsibility to call MAST at 305-365-6278 to make sure the application file has all required documents. If parents wait until the middle of January to submit their child’s application and the application is missing items, the applicant will certainly lose points--and possibly an opportunity to attend MAST.
14. When must all applications be submitted?
Applications must be submitted to Schools of Choice by January 15th. NO EXCEPTIONS.
15. What if something is missing from an application?
It is the parent’s responsibility to call us to determine whether her/his child’s application is complete.
All applications and supportint documents must be submitted by January 15th. No exceptions.
16. What does a “typical” ninth grade schedule look like?
The schedules of ninth graders are quite varied and may include: English 1(Honors), Geometry (Regular or Honors), World History (AP or Honors), Biology (Regular or Honors), Health/Personal Fitness, and two electives. The electives open to ninth graders are Engineering, CG JROTC, Food Production, French, Solar Energy, Spanish, Spanish for Spanish Speakers, and Steel Drum Band.
17. What sports are available at MAST?
Water Sports: Water Polo, Swimming
Field or Court Sports: Soccer, Boys’ Basketball, Girls’ Volleyball
18. Does MAST offer summer school?
Yes, MAST does offer summer school, pending School Board approval.
19. How does MAST serve gifted students?
Through the gifted consultative model. The school’s gifted consult teacher meets with students and parents to review students’ goals and educational responsibilities during their time at MAST. Our curriculum is already geared toward advanced studies. Instead of gifted courses we have developed a rigorous college-preparatory program with Advanced Placement and dual enrollment courses.
20. Is Coast Guard JROTC required at MAST?
No, JROTC is not required. The four-year sequence in maritime science constitutes an elective option for students. Students with an interest in leadership, navigation, and military protocol will want to consider CG JROTC as one of their elective options.
21. Does MAST offer guidance for college?
Absolutely! We have a strong and innovative college advisement program. We encourage you to visit the college advisement section of our website: gomakos.com—click on “College Information.”
22. What kinds of special opportunities does MAST offer students?
Special opportunities abound at MAST: curriculum-related and enrichment travel (national and international [when permitted]), club activities, internships, independent study, scholarships, leadership experiences, marine-theme core and elective courses, a full menu of Advanced Placement, dual enrollment, and honors courses, a technology-rich environment, academic and career colloquia, and numerous field research experiences.
23. Do siblings of current MAST students gain any advantage in the application process?
Qualified applicants seeking admission to MAST with siblings who will be continuing their enrollment at the school during the next school year are guaranteed admission. Do keep in mind that the applying sibling must qualify for the school first.
Questions about any of the information here? Please contact us at admissions@gomakos.com or at 305-365-6278, ext. 2247.