Beehive Science and Technology Academy
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| Beehive Science and Technology Academy | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| 830 E 9400 S Sandy, Utah United States |
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| Coordinates | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
| Information | |
| Type | Charter |
| Established | 2005 |
| School district | Charter School District |
| Principal | Hanifi Oguz |
| Faculty | 17 |
| Grades | 6 to 12 |
| Enrollment | 140 (Oct of 2011) |
| Student to teacher ratio | 1:12 |
| Color(s) | Maroon, Pelham Blue |
| Slogan | "A small school with big ideas." |
| Mascot | Bee circling around in a Rutherford atom model. |
| Nickname | BSTA, Beehive, Beehive Academy |
| Website | www.beehiveacademy.org |
Beehive Science and Technology Academy (BSTA), is a college preparatory charter school located in Sandy, Utah. Open to all students grades 6-12, Beehive’s focus is on teaching and motivating students especially in the areas of math, science and technology. Beehive prides itself on small class sizes, rigorous curriculum, dedicated faculty, individualized instruction and comprehensive college and career counseling.
History
BSTA opened August 29, 2005 in Sugarhouse. The founder was Murat Ozoglu, PhD., who was also one of the founders of the Utah Virtual Academy. In 2008 the school moved to its Murray campus, which was used until the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year. The stay in this facility was short because the building itself was inadequate and expensive. Beehive then moved to its current location in Sandy.
Organization
An eight-member board governs BSTA. Six of the members have had children attend the school. Many of them are successful business leaders and active members of the community. The other two have training and experience in education and in particular in running charter schools elsewhere.
At BSTA there is a vibrant and active Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO). The parents of BSTA students provide many services such as chaperoning at dances, providing parties and fundraisers, communicating calendar items, volunteering in the library and other tasks that teachers and staff aren’t able to accomplish.
Learning Environment
Because of Beehive’s low faculty to student ratio (1:12), students can progress quickly in a safe and secure learning environment. Students are placed in classes based on their math skills. Their skills in math and other core subjects are monitored throughout the year with research-based adaptive testing. Free tutoring is offered by every teacher every week after school. This, along with extracurricular activities, helps students progress, promoting close ties between students, teachers, parents and the community. Field trips provide additional learning and socializing skills. Each year local, expedition, and out-of-state college trips are offered to students. Every spring, students have the opportunity to go to Europe with faculty and parents.
Since its inception in 2005, Beehive teachers have been meeting with their students and parents at their homes. These visits benefit the parents since they gain a better idea about the school’s educational policy and have the opportunity to know and understand their student’s teacher(s) better. Through these meetings, closer cooperation between home and school is achieved. The goal is to visit all students in their homes once a year.
One of the hallmarks of Beehive Academy is the extensive offering of after-school activities. For example, clubs meet weekly in the following areas: AMSP (Advanced Math & Science Program), FIRST Robotics club, FIRST LEGO club, chess, National Honor/Junior Honor Society, Structural Engineering, anatomy and dissection club, MathCounts, world cultures, glee club, jewelry club, yearbook, and more. These meetings, along with sleepovers, winter and summer camps and participation in statewide and regional competitions give students a chance to learn and succeed. These clubs have produced a number of successes in state and national competitions. A sampling of the winners are: 3rd place FTC Robotics team 2010-2011, 23rd place FIRST Lego League 2010-2011, 18 individual awards/scholarships 2009-2010 Regional Science Fair, 2008-2009 Salt Lake Valley Champion Spelling Bee, 3rd place in regional 2010-2011 Math Counts (top 10 in Utah).
