Beehive Science and Technology Academy
Beehive Science and Technology Academy (BSTA), is a college preparatory charter school located in Sandy, Utah. Open to all students grades 6-12, Beehive’s focus is math, science and technology. Beehive has small class sizes, rigorous curriculum, dedicated faculty, individualized instruction and comprehensive college and career counseling. Beehive supports creative development through their art programs.
| Beehive Science and Technology Academy | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| |
830 E 9400 S Sandy, Utah | |
| Coordinates | 40.3450°N 111.5206°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Charter |
| Established | 2005 |
| School district | Charter School District |
| Principal | Hanifi Oguz |
| Faculty | 17 |
| Grades | 6 to 12 |
| Enrollment | 280 (Oct of 2018) |
| Student to teacher ratio | 1:12 |
| Color(s) | Maroon, Pelham blue |
| Slogan | "A small school with big ideas." |
| Mascot | Bee circling around in a Rutherford atom model |
| Nickname | BSTA, Beehive, Beehive Academy |
| Website | www.beehiveacademy.org |
History
BSTA opened August 29, 2005 in Sugarhouse. In 2008 the school moved to its Murray campus, which was used until the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year. The stay in this facility was short because the building itself was inadequate and expensive. Beehive then moved to its current location in Sandy off of 9400 South and 700 E.
Organization
An eight-member school board governs BSTA. Board members are business leaders and active members of the community who bring experience in Law, Technology, Finance, Architecture and Real Estate.
The parents of BSTA students chaperone at dances, provide parties and fundraisers, communicating calendar items, volunteer, and other tasks that teachers and staff aren’t able to accomplish. Parents and community members are encouraged to attend the school community council meetings to support and contribute to the better functioning of the School Land Trust Program.
Learning environment
Because of Beehive’s low student–teacher ratio (1:12), students can progress quickly . Students are placed in classes based on their math skills. Their skills in math and other core subjects are monitored throughout the year with research-based adaptive testing. Free tutoring is offered by every teacher every week after school. Field trips provide additional learning and socializing skills. Each year local, expedition, and out-of-state college trips are offered to students. Every spring, students have the opportunity to go to Europe with faculty and parents.
Since its inception in 2005, Beehive teachers have been meeting with their students and parents at their homes. These visits benefit the parents since they gain a better idea about the school’s educational policy and have the opportunity to know and understand their student’s teacher(s) better. The goal is to visit all students in their homes once a year.
Beehive Academy offers numerous after-school activities. For example, clubs meet weekly in the following areas: AMSP (Advanced Math & Science Program), FIRST Robotics club, FIRST LEGO club, chess, National Honor/Junior Honor Society, Structural Engineering, anatomy and dissection club, MathCounts, world cultures, glee club, jewelry club, yearbook, and more. These clubs have produced a number of successes in state and national competitions. A sampling of the winners are: 3rd place FTC Robotics team 2010-2011, 23rd place FIRST Lego League 2010-2011, 3rd place at the World Festival in FIRST Lego League, Utah FIRST Lego League State Champions (twice), 18 individual awards/scholarships 2009-2010 Regional Science Fair, 2008-2009 Salt Lake Valley Champion Spelling Bee, 3rd place in regional 2010-2011 Math Counts (top 10 in Utah).