Academics

The Advanced Placement Program is a cooperative educational endeavor between secondary schools and colleges and universities. Since its inception in 1955, the Program has provided motivated high school students with the opportunity to take college-level courses in a high school setting. Students who participate in the Program not only gain college-level skills, but in many cases they also earn college credit while they are still in high school. AP courses are taught by dedicated and enthusiastic high school teachers who follow course guidelines developed and published by the College Board.

FACULTY:
Vanessa Routh - AP Testing Coordinator

In our English/Language Arts courses, students will read a variety of literature, analyze literature at an advanced level, expand their vocabulary, develop their communication skills through writing in different modes of discourse, and prepare for both state and national standardized tests. Students enrolled in AP English Language and AP English Literature will take a College Board exam in May. Students should refer to individual score requirements for earning college credit at prospective schools as these requirements will vary by institution.​

FACULTY:
Natalie Chase (Department Chair)
Michela Carlton
Richard Clifton
Lisa Collins
Amy Hatch
Mary Zimmer
 

The Exceptional Child Education Program at SAA is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment where every student can thrive. We believe that all students, regardless of their abilities, deserve access to a high-quality education tailored to their individual needs. Our department offers a range of services, including specialized academic support and accommodations that enable students to fully participate in the rigorous arts and academic programs that define our school.

Our team of experienced and compassionate educators works closely with students, parents, and staff to create individualized plans that address each student's unique strengths and challenges. We strive to empower our students with the skills, confidence, and resilience they need to achieve their full potential both academically and artistically.​


FACULTY:
Susan Tutan-Gonzales (Department Chair)
LaKeshia Ripley
Erin Vazquez

As nations become increasingly interdependent, the need for effective communication and sensitivity to other cultures becomes more important.​ Students at SAA are required to successfully complete a minimum of two years of World Language​. The arts, culture, and other academic disciplines are an integral part of the world language curriculum.

FACULTY:
Cameron Bunch (Department Chair)
Jeff Fortson
Airam Gutierrez
Ana Zurita

The Savannah Chatham County School System is committed to supporting the exceptional talents of students in grades K-12 through our Gifted Education Program. We offer specialized instructional services to students who exhibit remarkable abilities in intellectual, academic, and/or creative areas. Eligibility for this program is based on the rigorous criteria established by the State Board of Education.

OUR PHILOSOPHY:
At the heart of our gifted education program is a commitment to meeting the unique needs of gifted learners. The focus is on adapting curriculum, teaching methods, resources, and pacing to match the individual abilities of each student. Our program emphasizes collaboration among intellectually similar peers and provides a challenging, in-depth educational experience that goes beyond the traditional classroom setting.
We actively encourage partnerships between teachers, parents, and students to personalize learning approaches, ensuring that gifted students are empowered to reach their fullest potential.

FACULTY​:
Vanessa Routh - Lead Gifted Coordinator

Every Savannah Arts student will have the opportunity to participate in a quality physical education program. It is the role of quality physical education programs to help students develop health-related fitness, physical competence in movement activities, cognitive understanding, and positive attitudes toward physical activity so that they can adopt healthy and physically active lifestyles. A high-quality physical education program includes the following components: opportunity to learn, meaningful content, and appropriate instruction.

FACULTY:
Karin Best (Department Chair & Athletic Director)
Lauren Lord
Steve Ricciardi

Students planning to enroll in a college or university upon graduation are required to earn four units (years) of college preparatory mathematics. Incoming freshmen at SAA are required to take four years of mathematics while attending high school to better prepare them for college. Since high school mathematics credits can be earned in middle school, some students will graduate with more than four units of mathematics.

FACULTY:
Linus Lindroos (Department Chair)
Joyce Chow
Caroline Drummond
Amy Knussmann
Fe Mata
Craig Sapp
Brian Shinall

The Science Department offers a wide variety of classes. Students in the ninth grade take Honors Biology, which consists of life science material from cells to the human body. Tenth grade students take Honors Chemistry. Some students may be guided to Physical Science for additional support prior to enrolling in Honors Chemistry in a later year. Eleventh grade students take either Honors Physics or Advanced Placement Physics. As upper classmen, honors electives are offered such as Forensics, Human Anatomy & Physiology and Zoology.  Advanced Placement electives offered include AP Chemistry, AP Biology, AP Environmental Science and AP Physics 1/2/C. Throughout the four years of science, students will have the opportunity to participate in the Science and Engineering Fair, Science Bowl, the Green Club, Science National Honors Society (SNHS), Pre-Med Club, Engineering Club, and other research or competition-based programs. 

FACULTY:
Dana Barnwell (Department Chair)
Lisa Kavanaugh
Whitney Palefsky
Kristin Sheffield
Elizabeth Stevens
Jdhordane Williams

The Social Studies department at SAA offers courses in World History, U.S. History, Psychology, Sociology, American Government, Economics, Law and Ethics, and US History on Film. We also offer AP United States History (APUSH), AP American Government, AP Economics, AP Psychology, AP European History, AP Human Geography, AP African American History, and AP World History. Extra-curricular activities such as Mock Trial are a great way to get students involved in the social sciences. 

FACULTY​:
Jamie Philipp (Department Chair)
Renee Buckles
John Lynah
Thomas McMillan
Benjamin Parker
Stephen Routh
Sean Sullivan