Global Scholars Program

List of 3 items.

• Additional Diploma Requirements

  • 10 page thesis on global topic, written with guidance from thesis mentor, to be presented and defended in front of Global Scholars Committee
  • Must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA at the conclusion of each school year, for that school year
  • Must be considered a student in good standing (all significant disciplinary and honor offenses will be subject to review and could be grounds for removal from the Global Scholars Program)
  • Student entrance into the program will be approved by the Global Scholars Committee (Directors of Global Scholar Program, Director of Upper School, Academic Dean, Director of College Counseling, and selected faculty members)
  • Sophomores entering the program must have completed their Freshman year in good standing, including having a minimum of a 3.0 GPA
  • Students may enter the program after their freshman year; however, they must have met all curricular criteria necessary for a current student in the program in their grade and must meet all curricular and additional graduation requirements to maintain their status in the Program
  • Student participation in the program will be reviewed annually by the Global Scholars Committee
  • Granting of Global Scholars Diplomas will be subject to review by the Global Scholars Committee

• Major Features of the Global Scholar Program and Academic Timeline

  The major features of this program include an extensive application process for newly admitted students, an ongoing seminar series, an internship Year 2 and a written and defended thesis Year 3. Students will work with a mentor (ideally from outside of the AOA faculty) to set goals, develop a written 10-page thesis and compose a brief address to the entire school community.
  
  Global Scholar Commitments
  
  Seminar Series
  
  Global Honors students will be required to attend a series of seminars, which will occur outside of normal school hours, including Saturday afternoons. An effort will be made to have a significant portion of the seminars relate directly to the yearly theme, but they may vary in content according to the availability of speakers.  
  
  Book Selection
  
  We will select together one book to read as a group, with the focus being international relations, global issues or a unique cultural perspective.
  
  
  Timeline
  
  Freshman Year:        Participate in Junior World Affairs Council and invited to Seminar Series
  Sophomore Year:     Application due early fall semester
                                      Accepted Global Scholars will participate in Seminar Series
                                      Begin externship exploration
  Junior Year:               Continued attendance in Seminar Series
                                      Finalize externship location
  Senior Year:              Continued attendance of Seminar Series. 
                                      Research, writing and defending the thesis.

• Program Requirements

  This program will both provide academic rigor and connections to outside institutions for students serious about distinguishing themselves academically.  Global Scholar participants will be required to make a significant commitment to producing several pieces of work during their high school careers, and will be required to attend events outside of normal school hours. Students in the Global Scholars program should demonstrate a record of interest in cultural diversity and community engagement and will be required to provide recommendations speaking to a commitment to the AOA core values of Community, Creativity, Diversity, Global Awareness and Leadership. Students applying for admission should carry (and maintain) an overall GPA of 3.0 or better.