Alex

Why I chose College Prep: Each of the high schools my family and I seriously considered was unique. Each promised important - and different - lessons and skill-development, as well as a solid high school education. College Prep, one of two independent schools we visited, offered the most appealing promises: a friendly and accepting community, a beautiful and comfortable campus, an excellent academic program, and four years of studying alongside students and teachers that care about knowledge, education, and the world. I genuinely enjoy academic learning. I like teachers and lectures and historical jokes and I enjoy every class. The class size and reputation of talented, engaging teachers, as well as the enticing flavor of challenge made College Prep most appealing. All the schools I looked at would have given me a good basis from which I could grow in college. College Prep sounded like the most fun.

Why I'm glad I chose College Prep: I love school. Especially this school. I like all my teachers. I like the challenge of the academic curriculum, and how it's almost as trying as the extra electives. I've learned a lot. I've gotten better at learning, better at communicating, about speaking, writing, arguing, dancing, and making decisions. I get to feel really proud of myself.

Favorite place on campus: The grassy square adjacent to the sculpture on a sunny day. It's wonderful to sit and talk, eat, read, or play badminton while identifying figures of the French Revolution for an upcoming history test.

Campus involvement: I organized tutoring at a local public elementary school last year. I've been a co-leader of the school's multiracial club, SWIRL (Students With InterRacial Lives), and an active member of the Asian American Association. I have participated in the debate and dance programs, and a creative writing class. With my Japanese class I raised funds and spread news for the Japanese earthquake/tsunami crisis of 2011. I participated in the school musical production (until I broke my foot). All of these activities pushed me onto less than comfortable ground. I've tried a lot of new things, learned to work with a lot of different people, and spoken publicly for things that are important to me.

Favorite class: History? Maybe? Followed really closely by Biology. And Beginning Dance.Both history and science explain the world. Dance is just really fun.

Favorite thing about College Prep: There are some really wacky unique people here.

Favorite College Prep memory: Standing in the dark, behind the auditorium, dressed up as animals, preparing to run out into the audience for the finale of the dance performance. (That wasn't a proper sentence, so English teachers please forgive me.) We had worked really hard. It was our last performance, and our last time dancing together as one class. It was amazing. 

Favorite character from a movie/book/television series: Samwise Gamgee or perhaps Gimli from Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. Or Winnie the Pooh.