By: Kunmi Dosunmu

Innovation Academy (IA) strives to provide its students with the academic skills needed in order to perform well in their future STEM-related endeavors. What sets this institution apart from other high schools is the rigorous courseload, adding pathway-specific learning on top of core classes. Jumping into IA can sometimes be an adjustment for some students; however, many seniors of the 26-27 graduating class have risen to challenges over the years, and now have valuable advice to give. From setting aside designated periods for WBL or virtual classes, helping around the school as a way to contribute to the school culture, or providing advice from their experience of specialized classes like GT Block or Research, IA’s class of 26-27 have found a multitude of ways to make the best of their high school years.

Work Based Learning (WBL), one of the largest programs in the state, is a class that students can add into their year-long schedule. It is designed to give students the ability to gain better experience in a certain field or simply give them time to work for their applied job or around the school. It may seem stressful to balance both schoolwork and a job, but the benefits of getting hands-on experience in the workplace is invaluable. For more insight, IA Senior Vincent Pecce [12] provided advice on how WBL has affected his school routine. “During my junior year, I took one work based learning and, because my work started at five, I used some time to help out with some different clubs. I did the IA Mountain Bike Club one year, and I also helped out with the Ping Pong club.” WBL gave Pecce the flexibility to explore interests, help the school, and still fit work into his busy schedule.

One comforting thing about high school is that no one ever has to experience anything alone. Seniors have gone through similar challenges and experiences that our current underclassmen will soon understand. One example is GT Block, a course that shapes every IA student’s experience by providing an intro to each pathway and also starts every 9th grader off with a unique adventure. Students quickly realize that they have to stay on top of their work and demonstrate genuine engagement in order to succeed. Amaan Jabrani [12] gave the following advice: “For ninth grade, don’t underestimate GT block. You’ve chosen to attend a state magnet school and you have to stay on top of GT Block and make sure that you’re not underestimating it.” As much information as IA gives about GT Block, many rising 9th graders struggle with these classes because of how big of a change it is to your course’s schedule. Amaan advises students new to GT Block to take it more seriously as “it’s your gateway into specifying the pathway you may want to join.”

Amaan also offered advice for junior year. He states “Junior year is gonna be your hardest year. Put the most rigor you can inside, because this is the last one before college apps. Make sure you start studying for your SAT and ACT now and start taking those because it normally takes maybe 4 or 5 attempts to get the score you want. You need enough time to prepare and get ready for that.” Hands down, the most important year of high school is junior year. If your goal after high school is college, performing best in your junior year is a one-way ticket there. The year is tough, but as long as you keep your classes manageable while also making good decisions about your work and extracurriculars, you’ll do just fine at IA.

High school is the tertiary section of a student’s school career – the place that soon allows students break free from their standardized subjects and into more nuanced, more specific interests. IA is similar but carries the weight of bringing new levels of rigor to classes through pathway choice and project based learning. It’s incredibly important that students can understand the challenges ahead. Even if they don’t understand the challenges that they face, being able to form a general plan for whatever may come is the best form of help. Thanks to the upper classmen and their own strategies for getting by in these years, the next generation has the ability to benefit from their knowledge.