Q: Is there tuition?
A: MASSA is a tuition free school.
Q: What grades does MASSA have?
A: MASSA has grades Kindergarten - 6th grade this year.
Q: What is the class size?
A: In the aim to provide the best academic environment, we limit the size of our 1st - 6th grade classes to 22-23 students. Our Kindergarten classes are capped at 20 students.
Q: My child is above grade level. How do you accommodate my child’s educational needs?
A: MASSA offers an individualized math and reading program. This allows for students to work at an advanced pace and to be challenged on a daily basis.
Q: Does MASSA have a lunch program?
A: Yes, students are able to order lunch by selecting the days on the order form, available at the Front Office or on our web-site under Families / Lunch order tab. All lunches are ordered for one month, around the 20th of the preceding month. Currently, a caterer brings lunch each day; lunch is $3.19 per day at the present time. We participate in the National School Lunch Program which provides for reduced prices for children from qualifying families.
Q: Are all teachers certified and highly qualified?
A: All classroom teachers at MASSA have Arizona teaching certification and all the teachers, including specials (Art, Music, Computer sciences, PE) are considered highly qualified as defined by the No Child Left Behind Act. The paraprofessionals at MASSA are certified, too. All teachers have SEI endorsement and one teacher has the Reading endorsement certificate.
Q: Are Physical Education and arts offered?
A: Each Kindergarten - 6th grade student has PE, art and computer sciences one time each week and music two times per week. Beginning in 1st grade, children learn to play piano and guitar. MASSA emphasizes music for following reasons:
the most important is that children love it
music will help them later in their social life
it makes them well-rounded persons
Q: Does MASSA provide transportation?
A: No it is the parent’s responsibility to get their child to school and pick them up. If you would like to carpool with other parents, you can join the carpooling list.
Q: How long has MASSA been opened?
A: MASSA opened in August 2008. MASSA is a replica of the successful, award-winning Tucson school, Academy of Math and Sciences, opened in 2001. The two schools are led by the same senior administrators.
Q: Does MASSA offer extra help to students who need it?
A: MASSA offers free tutoring and homework help after school in all subject areas from 3:00 to 3:30. All teachers offer homework help Monday through Friday. For tutoring, check with your child’s teacher to find out the exact days of the week for their tutoring. Compensatory Education for English Language Learners is provided four days per week from 3:05 to 3:50 pm.
Q: Can we get a tour?
A: Yes, to schedule a tour and to talk about the curriculum you call the office to set up a time to stop by (520)-889-1504. You can also request the tour by the on-line form on the Admissions page of our Web-site.
Q: How do I enroll my child?
A: Fill out the enrollment application. The application package is available at the Front Office or on our website Admissions page. Along with the application, submit a copy of the birth certificate, immunization records, and any recent standardized tests. If it is mid-year, a copy of the withdrawal form from the previous school is necessary. Kindergarteners are tested, one-on-one, with an appointment. Trying to provide the best academic environment to our students, we limit class sizes. This means that we have a waiting list. Children who are already enrolled at MASSA the previous year have a guaranteed place for the next school year. Their siblings and transfer AMS students have priority on the waiting list. Other families are enrolled on a first come-first served basis. We do not discriminate for admission of children on any basis but those described above.
Q: How do I contact the teachers?
A: All of our teachers have email addresses located on our website under Staff / Teachers. You can also call the school and leave a message. All teachers have their pages on our website where they post the homework and announcements daily. Please, check this page regularly.
