Three years ago, in a way to engage students in subjects beyond the science and technology curriculum, educators at Pope High created a Globalization Academy within in the East Cobb school. With a focus on English, social studies and foreign languages, the program is designed to offer students a challenging and rigorous path to college.
“It’s our version of STEM,” said Nicholas Holman, who directs the program. “These are intensive classes that students take as a cohort for all four years. It’s definitely for high-achievers on the upper-end of the student spectrum.”
Incoming Pope pupils can apply to be part of the academy by writing a letter of intent, producing solid test scores and showing an involvement in extracurriculars. That last element is an important component, said Holman. “We want students who can handle a good bit of work but can also look beyond the grades.”
Currently, 50 students are part of the academy, and interest in the program is strong, said Monica Aneiros-Burke, co-president of the academy’s foundation, a group of 11 involved parents who help with projects and fundraising.
“We had 60 applications this year for a program that’s capped at 25,” said Aneiros-Burke, whose daughter is in her third year of the academy.
Students are also drawn to the smaller classes, said Holman. “The academy gives them more individualized instruction in small-group environment. They get to know each other very well, too, and that’s a nice social structure for high school.”
At the end of their high school careers, the academy students will have taken as many as nine Advanced Placement courses for which they can earn college credit. They’ll also have had the opportunity to be part of large-scale projects that go beyond their textbooks.
“Each year, the academy students participate in a program,” said Holman, who also teaches ninth- and tenth-grade literature. “For instance, the sophomores do a museum project. Last year, they looked at the Jewish experience in Georgia, and they worked with professors from Kennesaw State to put together an exhibit we presented on the Marietta Square and at other schools. This year, they’re working on an oral history program on the immigrant experience that they’ll present in May.”
Juniors and seniors also work on major research projects modeled after a master’s thesis. In addition, on April 11, all students will be part of a program that welcomes consuls general based in Atlanta who come to Pope from to talk about their countries.
“The students research those countries and come up with thought-provoking questions,” said Holman. “It’s just one opportunity to learn and have a well-thought out discussion. This is our third year doing it, and we hope to have some interesting conversation.”
Meeting local consuls general has been a highlight of the program for junior Will Mathison, who joined the academy when he entered Pope as a freshman.
“I didn’t want to go to a magnet school because I liked the community at Pope,” he said. “When I heard of this opportunity to take social studies further, I thought that sounded really interesting. It’s turned out that I’ve made very good friends and have a lot of good opportunities, like being part of the first consuls-general night. Having the chance to learn from them was so interesting.”
Though the academy is only open to students attending Pope, Holman hopes it will eventually go into other schools. “We’re really hoping it becomes a pilot.”
Globalization Academy program with Atlanta area Consuls General
Free and open to the public
7 p.m. April 11 at Pope High School,
Information: 770-578-7900 or cobbk12.org/pope
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