• About AMP

    AMP is a unique educational experience for high school students interested in the many facets of agricultural science and youth leadership through FFA (Future Farmers of America). Our innovative academic magnet school program combines classroom learning with hands-on labs to prepare students for successful careers in food, fiber, and natural resource industries.

    Located on twenty acres at Madison High School, AMP serves as a nationally recognized model for urban agriculture education. We offer six specialized career pathways with twenty-five specialized agricultural magnet courses to choose from. Our pathways include Agriculture Business & Leadership & Communications, Agricultural Technology & Mechanical Systems, Animal Science, Environmental & Natural Resources, Food Science, and Plant Science. With our diverse magnet offerings, students can discover their passion and build experience while working towards their agricultural career!

  • The Evolution of a Rich History

    With roots extending back to the founding of Madison High School in 1976, agricultural academics have long been an integral part of the school. The education of agriculture made its first major advancement when it earned its magnet school program status in 1997. This evolutionary step established AMP and opened our agriculture coursework to be available to all students in San Antonio. In addition to our magnet revamp, the district bond programs of 2007 and 2015 further increased advancements at AMP by providing upgraded state of the art facilities, allowing our magnet to become a nationally recognized model for urban agriculture education.


  • Educational Approach

  • Setting up Student Success at AMP

    AMP offers its 500+ San Antonio students an immersive educational experience. In addition to specialized AMP magnet courses, our students also pursue higher academics such as Honors, AP, Dual Enrollment & Dual Credit, and elective options on the Madison High School campus. With access to Madison, students are also eligible to participate in athletics, fine arts, and other traditional high school clubs.

    Through our innovative magnet program, AMP helps students discover their talents and develops their full potential. From industry-led agricultural experiences, internships, competitions, FFA leadership events, and agriculture clubs, AMP provides numerous ways for students to learn by doing.

    Many accomplished alumni credit both AMP and our FFA partnership for preparing them for real-world success. By providing hands-on learning opportunities, AMP equips students with the tools to achieve their goals and launch their careers.

  • Student Focused Magnet Education

    At AMP, we aim to:

    • Enhance life science education through advanced agricultural teaching methods
    • Expand internship opportunities across all AMP career pathways
    • Build partnerships with colleges to provide dual credit and dual enrollment options
    • Provide experience building opportunities through work-based learning with supervised agricultural events
    • Engage students with our available robust leadership activities in FFA
  • Preparing Students for College and Careers

    With our magnet curriculum and ties to FFA, students locate their interest and utilize their skills to set them up for lifelong success. By collaborating with industry leaders, universities, and experts, AMP structures the development of professional skills needed for career and entrepreneurial achievement. As we evolve those crucial abilities in our students, we also open doors beyond traditional agricultural careers, with AMP students becoming food scientists, veterinarians, mechanical engineers, animal nutritionists, wildlife biologists, food scientists,  landscape architects, and more.

    In addition to career prep, AMP also prepares students for college. Students can earn up to 21 hours of college credit through agreements with Palo Alto College and Tarleton State University, with enrollment in either Advanced Animal Science, Agribusiness Management and Marketing, Floral Design, Horticultural Sciences, and Wildlife, Fisheries and Ecology Management. By completing these magnet courses, students are able to head start on furthering their education after AMP. 

  • Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE)

    An agricultural education program comprises three integrated components: classroom instruction, FFA, and a supervised agricultural experience (SAE). The SAE is a mandatory part of the program, allowing students to explore various careers, learn workplace behavior, develop industry-specific skills, and apply academic and occupational skills in real or simulated work environments. Through SAEs, students can apply classroom learning and prepare for college and career opportunities

    SAE programs available to agricultural education students include:

    Ownership/Entrepreneurship: Students plan, implement, operate, and assume financial risks in a productive or service activity or agriculture, food, or natural resources-related business.

    Placement/Internship: Students are placed in agriculture, food, or natural resources-related businesses, farms, ranches, school laboratories, community facilities, or verified non-profit organizations to gain hands-on experience. These experiences may be paid or unpaid.

    Research: As agriculture becomes more scientific, there is a need for research to meet the needs of a growing world. Research SAEs can be experimental, analytical, or invention-based.

    Exploratory: Suitable for all agriculture students, this SAE activity helps students become literate in agriculture and aware of potential careers in the AFNR career cluster, resulting in the development of a plan to begin an SAE.

    School-Based Enterprise: A student-managed, entrepreneurial operation in a school setting that provides goods or services to meet an identified market's needs.

    Service-Learning: A student-managed service activity where students conduct a needs assessment, plan goals, objectives, and budget, implement the activity, promote it, and evaluate/reflect on a chosen project for a school, community organization, religious institution, or non-profit organization.

    By participating in SAEs, students can explore various career paths, develop essential skills, and apply theoretical knowledge to real-world situations, preparing them for future success.
     

Magnet Informational Sessions

Magnet Informational Sessions provide opportunities for families to explore all magnet programs at one location.

Open House

Join us for an in-person event on campus to learn more about specific magnet programs. Click "LEARN MORE" below to access the schedule and school addresses.