Finding Our Way

Janelle Tengco | Nov. 16th, 2019 | Features

photo by Hannah Furry

At Stanton College Preparatory School, some students may be concerned about choosing which academic track to choose as they approach their junior year. In the cases of upperclassmen, the ability to create a qualified college application while meeting the requirements for their academic program may pose a hurdle during these years. All of the classes, however, are not alone when facing these impediments in their academic careers at Stanton. 

Stanton’s guidance team is dedicated to helping students in areas that range from the transition to honors classes or choosing the appropriate courses for the Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate track. Mr. Ben Nasrallah, Stanton’s IB coordinator, is also willing to provide insight into the curriculum to dissolve any doubts or concerns that some students have. The IB program in Stanton shapes its identity of being a rigorous institution and calls for students to abide by its criteria. 

“Having the expectation that being an IB student means being a part of a program that is going to ask you to do rigorous work and expect the best of you,” said Mr. Nasrallah. “All of those qualities add up to a high-achieving, high-quality school." 

Regardless of the grade level, Stanton’s teachers are crucial in the academic careers of students as they guide them throughout their high school years. Especially for academics, knowing the difference between AP and IB will allow students to become more informed about the expectations and requirements of these programs. This all begins with establishing a bond with the school’s counselors and approaching the IB coordinator with questions.

What Does IB Offer?

The IB track consists of six subjects to fulfill: language, second language, individuals and societies, experimental sciences, mathematics, and the arts. In order to attain the diploma, an IB student must meet the required amount of points from each subject that is totaled up after their completion of the courses. Additionally, IB students must complete the appropriate amount of Creative, Action, and Service hours while working on their extended essays. Despite these demanding requirements, the IB track offers an exclusive experience for students to have during their high school years. 

“Everything that the IB program does is based on a model of learning that is designed for students to be prepared for the next level,” said Mr. Nasrallah. “Doing college-level work, different ways of assessment, and styles of working and presentations [are ways] to prepare for college.” 

The IB program is not only identified by its rigorous courses but the students enrolled in the two-year study. In addition to being more prepared for college, graduating IB students emphasize the dedication to complete the abundance of work that the program demands. 

“Students [should be] ready to immerse themselves in their learning,” said senior Journi Williams. “I chose my classes because they are what I’m passionate about. For most of your classes, you have to be willing to learn about them.”

Current IB students also agree with the notion about the immense work being received. Although they are only a quarter into the program, the newly inducted students reflect on the hurdles they had to overcome.

“Manage your time wisely,” said junior Jemil Alvarez. “You don’t know how much of a workload it is until you [have] experienced it. You don’t know how much tests are going to be worth because they’re worth a lot [in IB].”

While current IB students are progressing in the program, underclassmen have already planned their future in IB. As potential candidates, they hope that being in a rigorously challenging environment will help prepare them for college. 

“I wanted to join IB because it gives you more opportunities,” said freshman Fangze Chan. “IB gives you more credit later in college. After completing the program, I want to go to a [technology-based] college or an Ivy League school.”

Receiving Guidance

Situated next to Mr. Nasrallah’s office, the offices of guidance are open for students at any time during the school day, a policy that is adhered to by the counselors. Beginning this year, freshmen are individually introduced to their guidance counselors to establish a system of communication. This communication is vital to maintain throughout high school for both the counselor and student.

“We highly encourage students to get in touch with us every year,” said Ms. May Ibasco, the head counselor of the guidance department. “The more we communicate with them, the more they communicate with us. As a department, we do try our best to visit them at least once a year in their classes.”

Although students are the busiest in their junior years, the guidance department is the most involved during senior year with approaching college application deadlines. Despite their role of directly communicating with upperclassmen about this process, Stanton’s counselors aid in the independence of juniors and seniors by encouraging them to do research on colleges.

“The majority of the information that we give is all on the [school’s] website,” said Ms. Ibasco. “It’s a matter of [students] doing their own research and coming back to us to confirm what they found.”

To expand their accessibility, the department is branching out on platforms that students can utilize to contact their respective counselors. Due to the school’s diverse population burgeoning every year, the guidance team is aiming to establish their presence through social media platforms such as Remind, Twitter, and Instagram.

“We are trying to keep up and find ways to disseminate information in the most effective way,” said Ms. Ibasco. “It’s a tiered-process of having to approach a student; [Stanton’s] teachers are the first line of defense, administrators might intervene, and we assist in whatever we can.”

With the expansion of the guidance department on social media platforms, their support is digitally and physically extended to students. This support from the school’s teachers, administrators, and counselors allow students to pursue their academic careers. By having this foundation of support, Stanton’s students, regardless of taking the AP or IB track, are capable of achieving their goals and dissolving any doubts.