Congratulations to the SAA students who were recognized as top scorers at the 2018 Northwestern University Midwest Academic Talent Search (NUMATS) Awards Ceremony on Saturday, September 29! 

Approximately 11,500 gifted 3rd - 9th students from around the Midwest took above-grade level testing through NUMATS during the 2017-18 school year, and a couple hundred received awards at this ceremony.  SAA had a strong showing as usual and our recipients this year scored well in the PSAT 8/9 or ACT tests. 

The Administration, Faculty, Staff, and Board of Trustees of
Science & Arts Academy
have the distinct privilege of recognizing the
Graduating Class of 2018

​Students from the graduating class of 2018 will be attending the following high schools:
​
Adlai E. Stevenson High School
Beacon Academy
Elgin Academy
Francis W. Parker School
Glenbrook North High School
Glenbrook South High School
Lake Forest Academy
Loyola Academy
Maine East High School
Maine South High School
Northridge Preparatory School
Northside College Preparatory School
Rochester Adams High School
Whitney M. Young Magnet High School
Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart

We were honored and proud to be part of the Science Olympiad National Competition which had been held this past weekend in Ft. Collins, Colorado.  Our varsity and trial event teams competed fiercely against the very best teams in the nation.  Parents and coaches were impressed with how well our students represented SAA.  Overall, there are nearly 4,000 middle school teams who participate in Science Olympiad throughout the year across the nation.  

Believe it or not, our tiny school ranked 18th overall!! 
​
​3-2-1 Kaboom!! 

Our 7th and 8th grade students did wonderfully at the Illinois History Day this past week! From our school’s History Fair, 3 group documentaries, 1 group exhibit, and 2 individual exhibits advanced to the state level. All of our submitted projects received superior ribbons - indicating a score of 98 or above. After making the run-offs in their respective categories, all scored in the top 5 of 100 projects in each category.

Two of our teams, one with a group exhibit and another with a group documentary, received 3rd place. Both of these teams are now alternate projects for the national competition.
 
One of our group documentaries entitled “The Women of the Haymarket Riot” won an award along with a cash prize from the Illinois Labor Historical Society. The president of the society had attended the presentation given by the students. Afterwards, a copy of the documentary was requested to be included in their historical archives.

Seventh and Eighth grade students showcased their efforts on their History Fair projects this past Tuesday. This year’s theme, as determined by National History Day organization, was Conflict and Compromise in History. Finished products included papers, trifolds, websites, documentaries and even a dramatic performance. Younger students as well as parents stopped by learn about the topics and support our student historians! Thank you to the many parents and community members who stopped by! Our seventh and eighth grade students did a great job sharing what they have learned, and it was a wonderful event.

A total of 24 SAA middle school students (mostly 7th and 8th graders) attended the annual Math Contest at IMSA.  There were a total of 23 schools who participated in this full day event. SAA was able to earn three recognitions. One student tied for 2nd place for 7th Grade Individuals. Another student was the only 7th grader from all 23 schools to answer problem 20 correctly on the 7th Grade Individual Contest. Lastly, a student earned an IMSA t-shirt for answering a problem in the Speed Round both correctly and first among the contestants from each school.  Congratulations to all of the students who participated and represented SAA well!

Last week, SAA sent twelve 7th and 8th graders to the 2018 Illinois Junior Classical League State Convention in Itasca. Middle and high schools from all over Illinois gathered for 2 days to celebrate a love of Latin and the Classics. SAA won 3rd place in per capita sweepstakes, where they add up the number of points each student earned and divide by the number of delegates. SAA also won 3rd place in Novice Certamen. The contests include graphic arts, costume making, oratory and academic tests. It was a wonderful experience for everyone!

This weekend 28 students from our middle school participated in a 5th-8th grade Math Meet at The Latin School of Chicago. While SAA was well represented and showed both grace and strength, we had a few awards to share with all of you. 

One of our two fifth grade teams "The Human Calculators" of Wren, Sasha, Michael and Joshua earned a team award - fourth place!
 
Our only seventh grade team (made of two seventh graders and two sixth graders - "7x6=ALUE" (translated - 42 is the answer to life, the universe and everything) of Nitya, Emily, Daniel and Will earned a team award - fifth place!
 
Two of these team members also earned individual awards - Joshua -third place and Will - first place!
 
Go SAA! 

Within one class period, middle school students experienced performances by two elective groups: SAA Chorus and Dance. The chorus performed “Seasons of Love” from the musical Rent. The dance elective, which was taught by an 8th grader, performed five songs, one of which the students choreographed themselves. Then, teachers who are holding an upcoming elective class gave short “commercials” about their offerings.

​This semester’s offerings include:

• Birding
• Big History
• Dance
• Study Hall
• Sew Much Fun
• SAA Chorus
• Self Defense
• Video Journalism
• Art & Design Challenge
• SAA History & Timeline
• Novel Writing
• Latin Dance
• No Bake Desserts