Ascension Academy

College preparatory school

Ascension Academy

College preparatory school

CEEB Code: 440122

Tim Oditt
Head of School

Katy Reid
Director of Admission
kengler@ascensionacademy.org

Elisa Johnson
Academic Dean
ejohnson@ascensionacademy.org

Jackie Chase
Dean of Students
jchase@ascensionacademy.org

Sunnye Jones
Director of College Guidance
sjones@ascensionacademy.org

Ann Ferguson
School Counselor
aferguson@ascensionacademy.org

Austin Johnson
Athletic Director
ajohnson@ascensionacademy.org

9301 Ascension Pkwy.
Amarillo, TX 79119

About Ascension Academy

Ascension Academy is an independent, college-preparatory school for students grades six through twelve. Founded in 2000, Ascension is accredited by the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS). The school is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the Texas Private School Association (TPSA).

Mission Statement

Ascension Academy provides students with an exemplary college preparatory education in a challenging, faith-affirming environment to maximize the potential of every student.

The Student Body

Enrollment:

Middle School: 66
High School: 65
Total: 131

Faculty

Full Time: 20
Part Time: 13
‍With Advanced Degrees: 20
Student Teacher Ratio 5:1
Average Classroom Size 11

Ethnicity

45% of our students self-report
from diverse ethic back-grounds.

Male: 53%
Female: 47%

Variable Tuition

38% of our current students qualify for a variable tuition rate.

Admission

Admission consideration is based on the evaluation of a student’s history of academic ability and demonstrated motivation and effort. Evaluation criteria include admission testing outcomes, previous grade reports and standardized test scores, recommendations, and student/parent interviews.

The Four Pillars of Ascension Academy

Scholars

Ascension Academy is committed to offering an exemplary college-preparatory education to its students. We offer a number of AP, Dual-Credit , and College Prep courses on our campus. All core classes are vertically aligned beginning in middle school. Our students have earned such prestigious recognition as National Merit Scholar, National Hispanic Scholar, Texas Aerospace Scholar, and National AP Scholar. We are a member of the Cum Laude Society and National Honor Society and induct members each spring.

Advanced-Placement (AP)
Courses Offered

Capstone Seminar
Capstone Research
Biology
U.S. History II
Calculus AB
Chemistry
Computer Science
English Language/Composition
English Literature/Composition
U.S. Government & Politics
Physics

Associate Degree Program through Amarillo College

General Studies
Liberal Arts
STEM

Dual-Credit Courses Offered On Campus

Spanish
English/Composition
Literature/Composition
Biology Life Science
College Algebra & Trigonometry
Speech
U.S. Government
U.S. History II
World Civilizations II

Memberships and Affiliations

Cum Laude Society
‍
National Honor Society
‍
National Jr. Honor Society

Academic Performance Outcomes (Class of 2023)

SAT Average Score: 1244
ACT Average Score: 26.2

Artists

The opportunity for creative expression is both valued and encouraged at Ascension Academy. Our high school students are required to take 2 years of Fine Arts and may choose from a number of different classes. Most of our students are enrolled in multiple fine art disciplines throughout their high school years

Memberships and Affiliations

International Thespian Society

Fine Arts Courses Offered

Orchestra (various levels)
Band/Wind Ensemble (various levels)
Choir (middle and high school)
Drama (required for 6th grade)
Theater Performance (middle and high school)
Technical Theater (high school)
Theater Intern (with instructor approval)
Film I & II
Studio Art (various levels)
Senior Portfolio (with instructor approval)
Independent Study (with instructor approval)

Athletes

At Ascension Academy, we recognize the need for our students to develop physically as well as mentally. In addition, we know that athletics offers abundant opportunities for character development—from team work to perseverance to humility. We offer a number of sports at both the middle and high school levels. Our middle school students compete in the West Texas Christian Athletics Association (WTCAA). Our high school students compete in the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS). In addition, many of our students participate in off-campus activities and may earn credit with administrator approval.

Athletic Teams

Cross Country
Volleyball (girls only)
Basketball
Swimming
Track & Field
Tennis
Golf
Bowling
Cheerleading (non-competitive)
Rock Climbing

Selection of Off-Campus Sports

Dance
Gymnastics
Ice Hockey
Ice Skating
Archery
Martial Arts
Rodeo
Baseball

Leaders

Leadership is a significant quality that we intentionally develop in all of our students. Our curriculum includes a service learning component, though most of our students go well beyond the required commitment. In addition, we encourage our students to engage in a number of competitive events that take them beyond the classroom in order to foster a deeper understanding of their responsibilities to their community and society as a whole.

Membership and Affiliations

TAPPS Academic Competitions
National & State Junior Classical League
National Science Bowl
Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering
Journalism Educators of America
Speech and Debate
Citizen Bee
Model UN
Scripps Spelling Bee
Math Counts
Leadership Amarillo & Canyon
Ogallala Commons Internship Program

Places Our Students Have Served

High Plains Food Bank
Hillside Nursing Home
Amarillo Zoo
Snack Pak 4 Kids
City Church
Amarillo Symphony Belles & Beaus
Lone Star Ballet Usher & Usherette
Special Olympics
Discovery Center
Family Support Services
Eveline Rivers
Race for the Cure
Guyon Saunders Resource Center
Salvation Army
StoryBridge
Church Camps & Mission Trips

All-School Volunteer Day

In addition to volunteering as individuals and clubs at various nonprofits and charities, students at Ascension participate in a school-wide service day each year. On service day in 2022, 6th-grade students completed deep cleaning and maintenance projects at the school, while 7th graders brought Fall décor gifts and performed orchestra and choir numbers at the Hillside Nursing Home. 8th graders packed boxes at the High Plains Food Bank, and all high school students volunteered to set up for a fundraising event at the Amarillo Zoo.

Collegiate Success
Post Graduate Destination (Past 7 Years)

Abilene Christian University
Amarillo College**
Angelo State University
Arizona State University
Austin College
Ave Maria University
Baylor University**
Carroll College
Clemson University
Colorado College of Mines
Colorado State University**
George Mason University
Johnson & Wales University
Kansas State University**
Louisiana State University**
Lubbock Christian University**
Marquette University
McMurry University**
Minot State University
Mississippi State University
New York University (NYU)
Oklahoma State University**
Princeton University
Pepperdine University
Rice University
Simpson College
Southern Methodist University (SMU)**
Southwestern University
St. Edward’s University

St. John's College
St. Mary’s College (TX)
Stanford University
Tarleton State
Texas A&M University**
Texas A&M University, Galveston
Texas Tech University**
University of Advancing Technology
University of Alabama
University of Arizona
University of Arkansas
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
University of Colorado at Boulder**
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
University of New Mexico
University of North Texas**
University of Oklahoma
University of Texas, Arlington
University of Texas, Austin
University of Texas, Dallas
University of Wisconsin, Plateville
Washington and Lee University (VA)
Washington College (MD)
West Texas A&M University**
Wichita State University
Whitman College
Yale University

**Indicates Class of 2023 Attendance