FAQ’s – Sparkman Medical Academy

 

1.  What is Sparkman Medical Academy?

• SMA is a “school within a school” developed for students who are seriously interested in a health career. Members are paired with an advisor or a mentor who makes sure they take courses that will prepare them for college level courses.

 

2.  How is Sparkman Medical Academy different from the current Medical Professions

     program?

• To be considered for membership in Sparkman Medical Academy, students must complete an application and provide a teacher referral and a copy of their most recent report card.
• Students will be assigned a faculty advisor and in some cases, will serve as mentors to younger students.
• Students must take certain required courses which will prepare them for college work.
• Members will be invited to seminars which will feature speakers from different fields of medicine, field trips, and medical competitions.

 

3.  Which courses are required for membership in Sparkman Medical Academy?

·         Fundamentals of Medical Professions

·         Medical Internship I

·         Biology/Honors Biology

·         Chemistry/Honors Chemistry

·         Anatomy & Physiology/Honors Anatomy and Physiology

·         Math up to and including Algebra II/Trig

       The following courses are strongly recommended:

·         Introduction to Medical Professions (for 10^th grade)

·         Medical Internship II, III and IV.

·         Spanish

·         Pre-Calculus

·         Calculus

·         Chemistry II (for students interested in medicine, pharmacy or veterinary medicine).

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4. Once selected, what requirements must I fulfill to remain in SMA?

• Students maintain a B average in Internship level courses, a C in required SMA courses and a C average in core classes at Sparkman High School.

 

5.  If I am an upper level student who has not previously participated in Medical

     Professions, am I still eligible for membership?

• Yes – register for Fundamentals of Medical Professions first semester and Internship I second semester. If you have not already taken Chemistry and Anatomy and Physiology, you should also register for those courses.