Academy of Allied Health & Science

Full Time | Schools | Career Academies

Location and Contact:

2325 Heck Avenue
Neptune, NJ 07753

Phone: 732-775-0058
Fax: 732-775-6646

About The Academy of Allied & Science

Established in 1996, the Academy of Allied Health and Science has a national reputation as a forward-looking school, preparing high school students for the challenges of the twenty-first century. Administered by the Monmouth County Vocational School District and located in Neptune, Allied has been recognized three times since 2002 as a Blue Ribbon School and is a member of the National Consortium of Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science and Technology. The Academy of Allied Health and Science offers an honors-level college preparatory curriculum with an emphasis on science, technology, and service learning, especially as those subjects apply to medicine and the health sciences.

Over the past 22 years, Allied has developed and maintained community-based partnerships with over sixty agencies, organizations, and individuals to supplement classroom instruction. Our partnerships enable students to experience “hands on” activities in the health field beginning in the ninth grade and continuing throughout their four years at the Academy. Sophomores perform observations as they rotate through various departments at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, while juniors visit local community service facilities and research, create and deliver a service project based around a community need. This sequence culminates with the Senior Mentorship program in which students are paired with local healthcare professionals in an eight-week program, nine hours per week, learning from mentors in the field and practicing what they have learned. Our articulation with Rutgers University, School of Health Professions and Georgian Court University allows students to earn up to 21 college credits upon graduation. Another partnership with Monmouth University allows students to receive college credit at Monmouth University for some of their high school coursework at Allied.

As our mission statement indicates, the Academy of Allied Health and Science prepares and motivates students to pursue further education towards a career in the medical sciences through a rigorous specialized curriculum and community-based partnerships, inspiring students to serve society with compassion, skill and vision. Each year, Allied Health consistently sends virtually all of its students on to four-year institutions of higher education. While over 70% of our students continue their studies in the health/science field, the Academy also recognizes the needs of those students who choose study in areas outside the health and science field. The school continually looks to upgrade and improve our curriculum and program offerings.

Allied Health and Science has been recognized by a variety of organizations as an outstanding learning community. They include:

  • U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon Award 2018
  • U.S. Department of Education NCLB-Blue Ribbon Award 2006-2007
  • Intel/Scholastic School of Distinction and “Best of the Best” 2004-2005
  • Governor’s School of Excellence Award 2003-2004
  • U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Award 2001-2002
  • New Jersey Star School Award 1999-2000
  • New Jersey Best Practices 1999-2000
  • National Service Learning Leader Award 1998-1999

Classes are taught in eighty-five minute blocks, permitting teachers and students to delve deeply into the content. The schedule allows for flexibility and creativity in instruction as well as permitting more hands-on activities to take place. Cooperative learning activities, a robust distance learning program, and similar strategies create a vibrant learning environment for students and a stimulating place to teach for instructors. In addition, a one-hour lunch/activity period in the middle of the day permits time for greater student involvement in activities, student/teacher collaboration on academic and service projects, and additional academic support from teachers.

Students are actively involved in a variety of student activities and clubs, including theme-related (Health Occupations Students of America) and service (Key Club, 4H) groups. The school has also earned recognition in various areas (e.g. Monmouth County Mock Trial champions, National Honor Society work with Big Brothers/Big Sisters). Approximately 40% of students participate in sports and other activities at their home district school. An active Parent-Student-Faculty Association provides our school community with financial support to extra-curricular programs and teacher grants.

Academics and Curricula

The Academy of Allied Health and Science offers a rigorous curriculum that emphasizes exposure to health occupations and the sciences.

Block schedule: There are four class periods each day. Each class lasts for eighty-five minutes; classes are taught for one-half of the school year.

Honors: All students at the Monmouth Academy of Allied Health and Science are enrolled in the same curriculum. Having compared our curriculum guides with those of neighboring school's honors programs, we found that our courses compare favorably in level, rigor, comprehensiveness, scope and sequence.  No courses will be designated as honors because all are taught at the honors level.

Clinical Experiences: Freshmen have the opportunity to visit a variety of healthcare delivery providers; Sophomores serve as volunteers at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, rotating through the departments; Juniors research, create and deliver a service project designed around identified community needs; Seniors participate in an eight-week mentorship program.  They work side by side with a healthcare professional for six hours a week providing services for clients or patients.  At the conclusion of the mentorship, each student delivers a multimedia presentation in a seminar of peers and mentors.  This summative exposition helps the student to gain perspective on their clinical experience and informs other students on the variety and scope of health professions.

AAHS Program Description

Allied Health
Students begin the Allied Health "strand" in their first year by taking Dynamics of Health Care. During the second and third years, Allied students study Anatomy and Physiology (I and II, respectively). During the sophomore year they also attend rotations at the hospital. Juniors take Nutrition and a course in Public Health, a main service-learning component of the Allied curriculum that includes field trips into the community. The Allied Health strand culminates in the senior year with all students choosing from electives, including Sign Language, Introduction to Physical Therapy, and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification. The Senior Mentorship is our capstone course in which students participate in an eight-week, structured learning experience, with professionals in the field. Every student obtains CPR certification in 9th grade and Health Care Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) certification in the senior year.

Science
Each student will complete five units of lab science, beginning with Biology in the ninth grade, Chemistry in the sophomore year, and Physics in the junior year. Seniors take both college level Biology and Chemistry. The senior Intro to Cell & Molecular Biology is articulated with the Georgian Court University's Course Ahead program, which allows students to receive college credit.

Mathematics
Students are required to take four years of math. The mathematics curriculum includes Algebra I, Algebra II/Trig, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Advanced Placement Calculus AB and BC. The option to take BC calculus is available for those students who qualify. The mathematics curriculum is designed for students to discover and develop a deep understanding of mathematical concepts. The students learn by hands-on discovery and investigation, use of technology, including computers and graphing calculators, and apply those concepts to the Allied Health field and real life problems.

Physical Education
Physical education requirements are met through Fitness class in grades 9, 10, and 11, incorporating life-long health and fitness skills, as well as infusing material from related Allied Health courses. Senior physical education requirements are satisfied through an Option 2 whereby the student elects to participate in a wide variety of physical activities, and records his/her progress toward goal achievement.