Q: Is there tuition?
A: MASSA is a tuition-free school.
Q: What grades does MASSA have?
A: MASSA has grades Kindergarten - 6th 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 above-level 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 using the order form available at the front desk, or by using the form on our website found under the 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. Costs for lunch are $3.19 per day at the present time. We participate in the National School Lunch Program which provides reduced prices for children from qualifying families.
Q: Are all teachers certified and highly qualified?
A: All classroom teachers at MASSA hold an Arizona teaching certification and all teachers, including special subject teachers such as 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. In addition, all teachers have SEI endorsement and one teacher has the Reading endorsement.
Q: Are physical education and arts offered?
A: Each Kindergarten - 6th grade student has PE, art, and computer sciences one time each week. In addition, all students have music classes two times per week. Beginning in 1st grade, children learn to play piano and guitar.
MASSA emphasizes music for following reasons:
The most important reason is that children love music.
Music will help children later in their social life.
Music makes children into well-rounded adults.
Q: Does MASSA provide transportation?
A: No, it is the parent’s responsibility to bring their child to school and pick them up. If you would like to carpool with other parents, you may join the carpooling list found under the Families / Carpooling tab of this website.
Q: How long has MASSA been open?
A: MASSA opened in August 2008. MASSA is a sister school of the successful, award-winning Tucson K-12 public charer school, the Academy of Math and Science, 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 p.m. 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 schedule. 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 speak with a member of our faculty about the curriculum, you may call the office to make an appointment: (520)-889-1504. You may also request a tour using the online form found on the Admissions page of our website.
Q: How do I enroll my child?
A: The first step in enrolling your child is to fill out the enrollment application. The application package is available at the front desk, or on our website's Admissions page. Along with the application, submit a copy of the birth certificate, copies of immunization records, and copies of any recent standardized tests. If it is mid-year, a copy of the withdrawal form from the previous school is necessary. As part of the enrollment process for Kindergarteners, the student is tested one-on-one. Kindergarten testing is conducted by appointment.
Since our goal is to provide the best academic environment to our students, we limit class sizes. This means that we often have a waiting list. Students who are already enrolled at MASSA the previous year have a guaranteed place for the next school year. Siblings of current MASSA students 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 students on any basis.
Q: How do I contact the teachers?
A: All of our teachers have email addresses which are listed on our website under Staff / Teachers. You may also call the school at (520) 889-1504 and leave a message. All teachers have personal pages on our website where they post homework and announcements daily. Please check the teacher's page regularly.
