A.J. Moore Academy
Encyclopedia
Alfred James Moore Academy (more commonly referred to as A.J. Moore Academy) is a magnet high school in the Waco ISD district in Waco, TX. A.J. Moore is designed to prepare students for success in post secondary education and in the workplace. Students are prepared to excel academically, physically and socially. Special emphasis is placed on business, engineering, entrepreneurship, technology, and post-secondary education.
(NAF) to be one of the twelve pilot sites in the US for the Academy of Information Technology and one of thirteen pilot sites for the Academy of Engineering. The school was the first school in the nation to include all four NAF academies including an Academy of Hospitality and Tourism and an Academy of Finance.
The Academy of Engineering is affiliated with Project Lead the Way (PLTW) since 2001. It was the sixth school in the State of Texas to become certified to offer PLTW courses for college credit. In 2007 the school became a pilot school for a new partnership between PLTW, NAF, and the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering.
The school focuses heavily on career choices and college preparation with guidance from school counselors, Gear Up professionals, and Princeton Review instructors. Students must obtain permission from the counselor or school principal to participate at local colleges and universities. Students take challenging course work, appropriate co curricular activities and receive guidance and counseling to help them enter the college of their choice.
Many Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered at A.J. Moore Academy while an unusual amount of Dual Credit Courses (high school/college credit classes) are offered for a public high school. The Dual Credit Courses offer credit from the University of Texas at Arlington, McLennan Community College, Rochester Institute of Technology and Texas State Technical College.
. A.J. Moore Academy is on a campus built for the school that was known as Jefferson-Moore High School. The school has since been almost completely remodeled during the 2009-2010 school year.
In 1986, three Waco High Schools (Jefferson Moore High School, Waco High School, and Richfield High School) were consolidated. The building that housed the defunct Jefferson-Moore High School was renamed the Waco 9th Grade Center in 1988. A.J. Moore Academy was chartered in 1997 and it became the only magnet high school in the Waco Independent School District. In 1997 the school began with only a ninth grade. Each year after that, the school added the next grade level to curriculum. In 2001, A.J. Moore Academy gave diplomas to its first graduating class.
Under the leadership of Dr. Debra Bishop, the school has led the district into new education ideas such as job-specific academies, a business advisory board, and extensive college preparation. In 2010, Dr. Debra Bishop retired and Mrs. Angela Reiher became principal. Mrs. Reiher continues advance the school culture and innovations that she helped create as Director of Academies and Assistant Principal during Dr. Bishop's era.
Curriculum
A.J. Moore Academy was chosen by the National Academy FoundationNational Academy Foundation
National Academy Foundation is an educational non profit organization. The mission of the National Academy Foundation is to sustain a national network of career academies to support the development of youth toward personal and professional success in high school, in higher education, and...
(NAF) to be one of the twelve pilot sites in the US for the Academy of Information Technology and one of thirteen pilot sites for the Academy of Engineering. The school was the first school in the nation to include all four NAF academies including an Academy of Hospitality and Tourism and an Academy of Finance.
The Academy of Engineering is affiliated with Project Lead the Way (PLTW) since 2001. It was the sixth school in the State of Texas to become certified to offer PLTW courses for college credit. In 2007 the school became a pilot school for a new partnership between PLTW, NAF, and the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering.
The school focuses heavily on career choices and college preparation with guidance from school counselors, Gear Up professionals, and Princeton Review instructors. Students must obtain permission from the counselor or school principal to participate at local colleges and universities. Students take challenging course work, appropriate co curricular activities and receive guidance and counseling to help them enter the college of their choice.
Many Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered at A.J. Moore Academy while an unusual amount of Dual Credit Courses (high school/college credit classes) are offered for a public high school. The Dual Credit Courses offer credit from the University of Texas at Arlington, McLennan Community College, Rochester Institute of Technology and Texas State Technical College.
History
The school is named after Professor A.J. Moore, the first principal and first African-American principal of an all (later segregated) black school that existed in Waco in the years following the American Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. A.J. Moore Academy is on a campus built for the school that was known as Jefferson-Moore High School. The school has since been almost completely remodeled during the 2009-2010 school year.
In 1986, three Waco High Schools (Jefferson Moore High School, Waco High School, and Richfield High School) were consolidated. The building that housed the defunct Jefferson-Moore High School was renamed the Waco 9th Grade Center in 1988. A.J. Moore Academy was chartered in 1997 and it became the only magnet high school in the Waco Independent School District. In 1997 the school began with only a ninth grade. Each year after that, the school added the next grade level to curriculum. In 2001, A.J. Moore Academy gave diplomas to its first graduating class.
Under the leadership of Dr. Debra Bishop, the school has led the district into new education ideas such as job-specific academies, a business advisory board, and extensive college preparation. In 2010, Dr. Debra Bishop retired and Mrs. Angela Reiher became principal. Mrs. Reiher continues advance the school culture and innovations that she helped create as Director of Academies and Assistant Principal during Dr. Bishop's era.
Enrollment
Because it is a magnet school, any Waco Independent School District student can attend A.J. Moore Academy regardless of city limits or school boundary lines. An application is required but selection is made on a first-come basis. If more students apply than the school has space, a lottery is held to fill remaining slots.Extracurricular activities
- The Steel Ambassadors - A professional Steel Drum band that performs around the world.
- Jazz Band
- Key Club - Part of Key Club International, the worlds largest teenage volunteer organization.
- Competitive Swim Team
- Outdoor Leadership High Adventure Club - A leadership club that learns martial arts and outdoor survival skills.
- Drill Team (Dance)
- The Bulldog Battalion is A.J. Moore's Honor Unit JROTC program. Includes competitive drill and orienteering teams.
- Spanish Club
- Texas Association of Future Educators
- Interact Club
Academies
All students at A. J. Moore must belong to one of the following small learning communities for more career specific education:- Academy of EngineeringAcademy of EngineeringThe Academy of Engineering or AOE is the latest addition to the academies governed by the National Academy Foundation in partnership with Project Lead the Way and the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering in the United States of America. The AOE partnership brought in the first...
- Academy of Environmental Technology
- Academy of FinanceAcademy of FinanceThe Academy of Finance was first established in 1982 by the National Academy Foundation. The Academy of Finance is one of the four member programs sponsored by the National Academy Foundation...
- Academy of Information TechnologyAcademy of Information TechnologyThe Academy of Information Technology is one of the three major programs sponsored by the National Academy Foundation which provides students with knowledge of technology and its ever expanding universe. It was formed in 2000, with the first graduating class being the class of 2004, and was the...
- Academy of Health Sciences
- Academy of Hospitality and TourismAcademy of Hospitality and TourismThe Academy of Hospitality and Tourism is one of the three major programs sponsored by the National Academy Foundation which provides students with skills and knowledge necessary for travel. The program teaches students in the art of geography, economics and tourism business as well as hospitality...
Notable graduates
- Billy G. MillsBilly G. MillsBilly G. Mills is a retired Los Angeles Superior Court judge and a former Los Angeles City Council member, serving from 1963 to 1974. He was one of the first three African-Americans elected to the council.-Biography:...
(born 1929), Los Angeles, California, City Council member, 1963–74, Superior Court judge thereafter