Comstock's magazine 0919 - September 2019 | Page 63

additional factors, such as space availability in a program or
major, going beyond the minimum eligibility requirements,
activity inside and outside the classroom and indications of
exceptional talents or overcoming obstacles.
The most widely known academic program, AP, is of-
fered at more than 20,500 U.S. high schools and gives
students the opportunity to take college-level courses and
exams for college credit. In May 2018, approximately 1.24
million U.S. public high school graduates, or 38.9 percent of
the class, took at least one AP exam. During the same peri-
od, 23.5 percent of the class scored a 3 (considered passing)
or higher on an exam.
International Baccalaureate is offered at nearly 1,000
U.S. high schools, including 13 public schools in the Capital
Region (see list on page 64). Of the 13 programs, nine have
launched in the last 10 years. The IB Diploma Programme
consists of six subject groups (classes vary per school) and
the Diploma Programme core, which includes the theory of
knowledge, community service (typically 150 hours) and a
4,000-word essay.
Emily St. Denis and twin sisters Anjali and Alyssa Desai,
the 2019 salutatorians at Oakmont High School in Roseville,
give the IB Diploma Programme high marks for teaching
them time management and independent learning skills.
“One of the really good things about IB is that I felt like I
really taught myself how to study and how to learn,” says St.
Denis. “I now have the work ethic and skill set to succeed
wherever I go because I’ve faced so many academic challenges
that seemed really daunting, but I was able to get through it.”
All three students were admitted into several of their
top choices for college, and they credit the IB Diploma Pro-
gramme as one reason but recognize that it was not the only
factor. “I think the academics will only take you so far,” says
Alyssa. “They are a great foundation to ensure that you’re
going to get into a good school somewhere, but the extracur-
riculars are what boosted me for sure.” Alyssa, for example,
taught piano, played tennis and was actively involved in a
number of clubs on campus.
Mira Loma High School in Sacramento has one of the re-
gion’s largest and oldest IB programs, which started in 1989
and has grown from 34 students to 338 (out of a total student
population of about 1,800). Mira Loma holds an annual cel-
ebration in December for the previous year’s graduates to
receive their IB diplomas, which arrive in July.
“Each year my former students, now one semester into
their college careers, tell stories about crazy roommates
and terrible dorm food, but they also tell me that they are
well-prepared to succeed in their college classes,” says Mira
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Program includes induction of new STARS Hall of Fame honorees
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2019 STARS HALL OF FAME HONOREES
Heidi Poppelreiter Parris
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NASA, International Space
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Dr. H. Michael Shepard
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Scott Pease
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Visionary video
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Proceeds support innovative learning opportunities
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Historic
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The American Public Transportation Association
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Henry Li, as the 2019 Outstanding Public
Transportation CEO in North America.
For tickets & information, visit www.sjefeveningwiththestars.com
September 2019 | comstocksmag.com
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