Families often ask what the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science (ASMS) wants to see. The short answer is that ASMS reads the whole file, not one number. This guide walks through each piece of the 2027-28 application, what the school says about it, and what a parent can do to help without taking over.
There is no application essay
Many selective schools ask for essays. The ASMS application page lists none. The pieces are scores, records, two teacher recommendations, a student form, a parent or guardian questionnaire and an interview. The school states that the essay sections of the ACT and SAT are not required either. If you see an essay requirement somewhere else online, go back to the school's own application page and check it.
Holistic review
ASMS uses a holistic admissions process. No single item decides admission, and each applicant is evaluated as a whole student. For a family, that means a strong test score does not replace thoughtful recommendations, and an average score on one test date is not the whole story. It also means the school wants the complete file before it reads anything. Incomplete applications are not reviewed.
ACT or SAT
ASMS requires ACT or SAT scores, except for students applying for 9th grade. It also accepts PSAT or Pre-ACT scores. The rules the school lists are specific:
- ASMS does not prefer the ACT over the SAT.
- It uses superscoring for both tests.
- The ACT Science section is required.
- The ACT and SAT essay sections are not required.
- Scores can be self-reported, but admitted students who enroll must have scores sent by the testing organization before they do.
- The school codes are 4707 for the ACT and 1032 for the SAT.
ASMS publishes no minimum score and no typical range, so we cannot tell you what score is competitive. Avoid websites that claim a cutoff. If a number matters to your plan, ask admissions directly.
A practical point for the parent: choose the test your student is more comfortable with, register early enough for one retake, and send scores to the school codes at registration.
Records
The school asks for academic records, including transcripts and current grades, and for discipline records. Every record submitted should show the candidate's full name. If your student's school uses a nickname or a different legal name on some documents, fix that early, because a mismatch can slow a file.
Homeschooled applicants submit every item on the Application Materials Checklist. That means the same pieces, supplied by the family and any outside teachers.
Two teacher recommendations
ASMS asks for one recommendation from a current math or science teacher and one from a current English or history teacher. Teachers submit them electronically through the admissions portal. The school sets these two subjects deliberately, so choose teachers who know your student's work now, not a favorite teacher from two years ago.
How to help: ask your student to approach the teachers in person, a few weeks before you need the forms submitted. A short note listing the student's recent projects and interests can make a teacher's task easier. Do not write or edit the recommendation, and do not ask to read it.
The student form and the parent questionnaire
Applicants complete a Student Application Form. A parent or guardian completes a Parent/Guardian Questionnaire, and ASMS says it must be completed by the parent or guardian themselves. The forms ask about academic interests, experiences, readiness, family background and support systems.
This is where parents often make a mistake in the other direction. The student's form should be the student's work. The questionnaire is yours. Answer plainly: what your student cares about, how your family supports school, and why a residential school makes sense for your household. You do not need polished language. You need specific, true answers.
The interview
Applicants who submit all required materials may be invited to interview with a member of the Admissions Committee. Interviews run from January to February, last about 30 to 45 minutes, and may be in person or virtual. The invitation comes after your file is complete.
Preparation can be simple. Have your student practice explaining one project, problem or idea they enjoyed, and why they want to study at a school focused on math and science. Make sure they can also describe, in their own words, what living on campus would involve. Parents should not answer for the student.
What a decision means
A decision is Admitted, Waitlisted, Deferred or Denied. The process is confidential, and the school does not share the reasons behind a decision. Decisions are conditional on verification of the information you provided, so every form should be accurate.
Questions to ask the school
Some details are not on the school's pages. Ask the admissions office at admissions@asms.net or 251-441-2100 about whether non-Alabama students may apply, how the new 9th grade program is organized, and the current deadlines for accepted students.
Where a family can get help
If you want to talk through how these pieces fit your own student, the EduAvenues high school admissions page explains how we work with families.
Sources
- Admissions Process and Application, Alabama School of Mathematics and Science
- Admissions FAQ, Alabama School of Mathematics and Science
- 9th Grade, Alabama School of Mathematics and Science
- Accepted Students, Alabama School of Mathematics and Science
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