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Academy for Pre-Medical Sciences at Edwards Middle School

The purpose of the Academy for Pre-Medical Sciences is to provide students exposure to various careers in the medical field. As students explore various occupations they will receive the training, knowledge, and skills needed to successfully transition into a high school medical program. Integrated into the curriculum is an emphasis on decision making, problem solving, teamwork, communication, and work ethic. Employers look for these soft skills when searching for the best employee to fill a position. The emphasis on developing these skills within the program will result in students prepared for future success in any chosen profession. Students completing the Pre-Medical Sciences program at Edwards Middle School will enter high school with knowledge and skills required for various occupations in the medical field, well-developed academic focus, and essential intangible qualities desired by employers.


Quick Links  

Program Application (Open November 8 - December 13, 2024)

Pre-Med Academy Brochure (PDF)








Overview of Programs


The Academy for Pre-Medical Sciences offers students an opportunity to explore various careers in the medical field while acquiring the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully transition into high school medical programs or related fields of study. This introduction to medical sciences at the middle school level allows students to prepare academically for coursework necessary to becoming a health care professional. The early exposure will also aid students in deciding whether to pursue this course of study at the high school level.

Curriculum

Students in the Edwards Middle School Academy for Pre-Medical Sciences will need a strong academic foundation in math and science as the program requires advanced level coursework in these areas. At each grade level students will receive instruction in the foundational areas of Teamwork, Leadership, Healthcare Communications, Safety Practices, and Infection Control.

Features of the curriculum specific to each grade level are as follows:

•  Sixth Grade students will explore the fields of of employability, work-safety practices and infection control, chain of infection, PPE, patienttransfer, applied anatomy with clinical lab diagnostics, blood borne pathogens, Phlebotomy, venipuncture, body systems (respiratory,cardiac, and skeletal), support services careers in various hospitaldepartments, and the CTSO.
•  Seventh Grade students will explore the fields of employability, work-safety practices and infection control, bacteria and viruses, HIPAA, electronic versus paper records, medical office management, biotechnology research with fingerprints, DNA, and the CTSO.
•  Eighth Grade students will explore the fields of employability, safety and infection control procedures and protocols for school, home, and work, immunization schedules, bacteria and viruses, body mechanics, therapeutic careers in nursing, dentistry, physical therapy, respiratory therapy, medical terminology, body systems, patient evaluations, and the CTSO.

Students in the program will also benefit from demonstrations, lectures, and visits from health care professionals.

Purpose and Goals

The purpose of the program is to provide students exposure to various careers in the medical field.  As students explore various occupations they will receive the training, knowledge, and skills needed to successfully transition into a high school medical program. Integrated into the curriculum is an emphasis on decision making, problem solving, teamwork, communication, and work ethic. Employers look for these soft skills when searching for the best employee to fill a position. Through the implementation of the Georgia BEST program curriculum, students are being taught these skills with the intentions of producing students who are well prepared for future success in any chosen profession.  Students completing the Pre-Medical Sciences program at Edwards Middle School will enter high school with knowledge and skills required for various occupations in the medical field, well-developed academic focus, and essential intangible qualities desired by employers.






Application, Eligibility, and Lottery

RCPS will use an electronic application process for 2025-26 School Choice programs. Students may apply for one School Choice program only for the 2025-26 school year. 

The application window opens November 8 - December 13, 2024.  The online application will be available on the district website at:  www.rockdaleschools.org/specialtyandchoice

Only complete applications will be accepted.

Eligibility Criteria
Students must meet standards in ELA, Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies on the Milestones assessment.
Students must meet
the student registration requirement for Rockdale County Public Schools.
Students and parents must agree to the Choice contract.

Lottery
In the event there are more eligible applicants than space available, students will be selected via a random lottery drawing.  If needed, a lottery will be held in January.





A Message from the Principal

Our Pre-Medical Science students are provided the opportunity to meet various health care providers who come to our facility to impart their knowledge and expertise of their content areas. They also provide students with information on their educational pathway and even entrepreneurship. They engage students in activities that would provide them with real world experiences relating to their field of study.

Students can also take field trips to tour medical facilities. During these tours, students are able to gain information about the various facilities and the services they provide to the community. They also participate in hands-on activities which are important for promoting higher order thinking skills while improving cognitive understanding of the subject material and developing social skills. Hands-on projects engage students who are tactile and kinesthetic learners because it activates multiple areas of the brain and they are more likely to retain more information.

At the completion of the program’s pathway, the 8th grade students would have the opportunity to achieve CPR certifications. CPR is important because it is a lifesaving tool that saves victims from cardiac arrest, which is the leading cause of death in many parts of the word. Last year, out of 46 8th grade students from EMS seeking CPR certifications, 43 were successfully certified! The goal is to continuously increase our certification numbers each year. If everyone were trained in CPR, it could help to save hundreds of thousands of lives each year. With the ever-changing capacity of technology, progress is made to diagnose and treat diseases and illness in a timelier manner.  We are exposing our students to as much trending technology as possible so that they can learn hands-on in the classroom. We have the new Taylor and Baby Tyler feedback manikins that provide realism to CPR and healthcare training sessions by demonstrating realistic chest rise with ventilation.

We continue to use our Z Space computers and laptops which allow students to have a 3-dimensional view of various body systems. The use of this equipment allows for engagement through exploration and experiential learning in a student-centered environment.

We truly want our students to remain anchored in healthcare so that they will have solid foundations to build upon in their future endeavors. We strive for excellence at EMS, and we are confident that the experiences we provide will equip our students with the knowledge, grit, and determination to continue to excel in any healthcare pathway they choose as they enter high school, college, and beyond.

Dr. Tarneisha S. Means, Ph.D. ~ PreMed Coordinator
Dr. Robin Collins, Ed.D. ~ Principal








EMS Accolades

Scholarship
2020 - Georgia REACH Scholarship Recipient

Oratorical Contest
2019-2020 - 3rd Place 7th Grade, 3rd Place 6th Grade
National History Day Competition
2022-2023 3rd Place Finish

Football
2023-2024 Undefeated Boys and Girls teams

EMS Chorus
2022-2023
Five students participated in 2023 All-State Chorus
The 6th/7th/8th Grade Advanced Mixed Chorus scored 1 (Superior) in singing, 1 (Superior) in sight reading, and I (Superior) for performance at the statewide Choral evaluations - LGPE.

2017-2018
Nine students passed two auditions to participate in 2018 All-State Chorus
The 7th/8th Grade Advanced Mixed Chorus scored 1 (Superior) in singing and 1 (Superior) in sight reading for statewide Choral evaluations - LGPE
The 7th/8th Grade Beginning Girls’ Chorus scored 2 (Excellent) in singing and 2 (Excellent) in sight reading for statewide choral evaluations - LGPE

2016-2017
Seven students passed two auditions to participate in Georgia’s 2017 All-State Chorus
The 7th/8th Grade Advanced Mixed Chorus -scored 1 (Superior) in singing and 1 (Superior) in sight reading for statewide Choral evaluations - LGPE
The 7th/8th Grade Beginning Girls’ Chorus- scored 2 (Excellent) in singing and 1 (Superior) in sight reading for statewide choral evaluations - LGPE

2015-2016:
Three chorus students made All-State 7th/8th Grade Boys’ Choir - scored a 1 (Superior) in singing and a 1 (Superior) in Sight reading for LGPE (Large Group Performance Evaluation) - statewide evaluation
7th/8th Grade Girls’ Choir - scored a 1 
(Superior) in singing and a 2 (Excellent) in Sight reading for LGPE.

2014-2015:
Six chorus students made All-State.
7th/8th Grade Boys’ Choir- scored a 2 (Excellent) in singing and a 1 (Superior) in Sight reading for LGPE (Large Group Performance Evaluation) statewide evaluation.
7th/8th Grade Girls’ Choir- scored a 1 (Superior) in singing and a 1 (Superior) in Sight reading for LGPE.
The EMS Choir was asked by Mike Dorough  (well-known/accomplished choral director) to perform a song he wrote for LGPE for publication.

Spelling Bee
2022-2023 Roshan Suriraj was the District Spelling Bee runner-up.
2021-2022 Mykel Perciwall was the District Spelling Bee runner-up.

EMS Basketball
2020-2021 - Boys/Girls Basketball - Undefeated
2016-2017 - New Rock League Champions (Boys)
2015-2016 - New Rock League 2nd Place (Boys)
2014-2015: New Rock League 2nd Place (Boys)

EMS Softball
2014-2015: New Rock League 2nd Place

EMS Track & Field
2019-2020 - New Rock League 1st Place (Girls)
2018-2019 - New Rock League 1st Place (Girls)
2017-2018 - New Rock League 1st Place (Boys)
2016-2017 - Conyers Cup 1st Place, New Rock League 1st Place
2015-2016 - New Rock League (Girls) 2nd Place

EMS Reading Bowl
2018-2019 - 1st Place Region
2017-2018 - 1st Place
2016-2017 - 1st Place
2015-2016 - 2nd Place
2014-2015 - 1st Place

EMS Robotics
2014-2015 - Mechanical Design Award

EMS Cheerleading
2017-2018 - Rockdale Cheerletics 1st Place and Top Team
2016-2017 - Rockdale Cheerletics 1st Place

Dance
2018-2019 - CAAC Stroll and Step 1st Place


Extracurricular Activities

Beta Club
Robotics
Reading Bowl
Math Team
Band
Chorus
Drama
Basketball
Softball
Football
Track
Wrestling
Cheerleading
Dance Team
SkillsUSA
FBLA
Patriots’ Press and Periodicals
Student Council
Young Ladies of Elite


Additional Academic Programs

Spanish I
French I
Tutorial
Accelerated Math
Marketing
Business Education
Technology
Carnegie Spanish
Carnegie Algebra
Carnegie Art
Carnegie Physical Science
Carnegie Health & PE