The Strength of Our Integrity
by Eimy Sarduy, Junior, iPreparatory Academy
by Eimy Sarduy, Junior, iPreparatory Academy
In English, integrity can be applied and used in myriad ways. There’s personal integrity, which refers to the strength of a person’s moral principles, and there’s structural integrity, which refers to the reliability of the relationship between different elements. iPrep is a perfect example of where structural integrity thrives.
iPrep offers its students stability while varying from traditional pedagogy in public schools. There is more “instruction” where the student can work individually or in groups instead of the usual “sage-on-a-stage” structure. The environment at iPrep is relaxing; students can “break out” or leave the classroom to work in different and comfortable areas of the school. |
This is effective at providing different environments for learning, since classrooms can be too constrictive. There’s another fundamental difference at iPrep: technology. Every student, from grades 9-12, is provided with a laptop to do their schoolwork. This is a great relief to some parents who might not be able to purchase individual laptops for all their children. It also prevents arguments among siblings of “who gets the laptop first.”
In addition, Tyler Reed of McGraw Hill, an American educational publisher for both Prek-12 and Higher Education students and educators, writes that “New Survey Data: Four Out of Five College Students Say Digital Learning Technology Helps Improve Their Grades,” which affirms that iPrep is creating optimal conditions for its students. You may be thinking, how does the environment and technology relate to integrity? Well, since this “structure” underlies the learning at iPrep, most students say that the relationship between the “structure” or learning platform and the needs of the students is sound.
Yes, every school should strive to be structurally sound or reliable because school should be a safe place to learn, express creativity, and build the basis for future endeavors. However, iPrep manages to reinforce every one of those goals. The structural ‘sound-ness,’ believe it or not, can be accredited to the teachers at our school. The foundation of our learning, and the special thing about iPrep is that the teachers are professional, involved, and do everything in their power to help the students. Their involvement creates a community at our school that is more meaningful and student-centered. Additionally, this collegiality is extended from student to student; as iPrep students continue on their path, upperclassmen help the lower classmen by advising them on what classes they should take, which colleges they should apply for, and even participate in peer tutoring. In other words, iPrep is a “sound” community, which is what makes the structure strong.
Most importantly, the framework of the iPrep curriculum helps students prepare for the real world/future that follows after completing high school. The curriculum encourages students to take rigorous classes like Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment, which not only give students a glimpse into college level courses, but also saves them time and money. Factored into the iPrep day for juniors and seniors is mandatory internship during the school day: real life experience in chosen fields. All of these educational opportunities are not only invaluable to students' college and professional careers: this environment allows students to build a foundation of personal organization, integrity, and welcoming challenges.
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Overall, our school is built on the principles of structural integrity, which makes iPrep have a lasting and meaningful impact on its students. As a student participating in multiple clubs and graduating early, it is no understatement to say that without the opportunities that iPrep provided in addition to the personal organization skills that I’ve learned while a student, I wouldn’t be walking across the stage with the class of 2021. iPrep students and alumni agree that with a foundational belief in unlimited potential and a structured learning space with a multitude of resources, success in and outside of these colored walls is assured.
Citations
"New Survey Data: Four Out of Five College Students Say Digital Learning Technology Helps Improve Their Grades.” McGraw Hill,
www.mheducation.com/news-media/press-releases/2016-digital-study-trends-survey.html
www.mheducation.com/news-media/press-releases/2016-digital-study-trends-survey.html