At a table in the school hallway, junior Esther Pack opened the laptop to her website, ready to answer questions from visitors.

 It was the end-of-the-year showcase at AMES—Academy for Math, Engineering and Science—and crowds flooded the school to get a glimpse—and taste—of what school means to 470 students.

 “Showcase is putting out students’ work so parents can see all the different things our students are doing throughout the year,” Principal Brett Wilson said. “The students can display what they’ve studied, explain it to people and cement their learning.”

 Students performed musical selections, exhibited art pieces, displayed their award-winning literary arts magazine, ran their robot they built and programmed, dissected a pig carcass and an owl pellet, showed engineering and chemistry projects, and presented findings they discovered in social science. Students also made and shared food from their cultures; 43% are considered ethnic minorities.

 Many, like Pack, discussed various internships they had or were going to have this summer. She was excited to be at Spy Hop, a nonprofit digital media arts center that offers free classes in film, music and audio for students. She wanted to learn portfolio composition, website design and presentation skills for her works of art. She also was hoping to work with clients and even collaborate when needed, getting firsthand experience.

 “The main reason I want this internship is to shadow someone and seeing how it works to be in a graphic art position; I’m hoping to learn and build a better skill set,” she said, adding that an internship is an AMES graduation requirement.

 To prepare for the internship, she built a website to showcase her favorite art pieces and writing.

 “My website spotlights my passion for art and why I want to do in the future. I feel I could take this talent that I have and make it into a job. I’d like to be a movie or publication art director anda graphic designer,” said the first-year AMES student, who also is a member of the school art club. 

 Previously, the Sandy student was homeschooled along with her seven siblings by her mother and some tutors.

 “My mom would find out what we were really interested in and then, we’d dive deep into that subject; I got into art and writing and music. I play harp,” she said. “I decided I wanted to get a taste of high school before I graduate, and AMES is a good school. There are not too many students so the teachers can focus on you as the classes are a bit smaller and AMES gets great test scores. It’s just a good place to be; the people are friendly and care about you and want to help you. I appreciate the environment.”

 In the recent U.S. News & World Report best Utah high schools ranking, AMES was eighth, with above average scores in math, reading and science, and with a 97% graduation rate.