The Accelerated Reader (AR) is an innovative and computerized reading program designed to motivate students to read more and better books. AR is available for all second, third, fourth and fifth graders at MAS. Students select books from a list of 3354 fiction and non-fiction titles, most of which are available in school or public libraries. A student reads the book at his or her own pace and after finishing it, takes a computerized multiple choice test. The test is carefully constructed to make the sure the students have truly read and understood the books. The computer scores the test instantly and awards reading points that are based on the length and difficulty of the books and the number of correct answers. Students receive AR related incentives as they reach different "point milestones." For example students receive an AR pencil when they reach 10 points, A MAS AR 25 Pt Club pin when they reach 25 points, an I'm a Proud Parent of a MAS Accelerated Reader bumper sticker when reaching 50 points, and lunch with Ms. Amon and Mr. Koski for reaching 100 points, etc. Our goal is to encourage students to read more and better books and we are willing to reward them for doing it.

In addition to incentives for reaching individual goals, there are several colorful displays around the school celebrating individual and school accomplishments in AR. Each year there is an end of the year celebration for all of our Accelerated Readers.

Since students began the program in November 1997, they have passed quizzes on well over 19,000 books!  In the 2007-08 school year alone, our 353 Accelerated Readers passed quizzes on 4631 AR books for a school-wide total of 11,120 points. The feedback from students, parents and teachers about AR has been very positive and as a result, each year, thanks to the support of the MAS PTA, we have been able to increase the number of titles in our database as well as the incentives we give students for reaching personal milestones. Be sure to see our AR update each week in Down The Hall.

Please contact Mr. Koski if you have any questions about The Accelerated Reader.