frequently asked questions
As a SOAR Academy scholar, will I take all my classes with other SOAR scholars?
No. Certainly, there will be students in many of your classes who are also SOAR scholars, particularly in your honors courses. But your core classes will not be restricted to only SOAR scholars, and of course your elective courses will include students from across the school. You will have opportunities to socialize and work with SOAR scholars, but you will also have plenty of opportunities to socialize and work with all Westwood High School students.
What if I play sports or participate in extracurriculars after school? Do I have to give those up to fit the Seminar course into my schedule?
The SOAR Research Seminar course (10th and 11th grade) meets as a “late bird” class with periodic meetings and independent study, but students are NOT expected to have to give up their other activities to take the course! We can work with your schedule. Please be advised though that the Seminar course is an independent study and does require a great deal of time, research, writing, and work. You will have the option to manage your time to suit your needs, but you will be expected to dedicate a substantial amount of time to the course, to arrange alternate course meeting times that are agreeable to the teacher, and to meet all deadlines.
What if I make a bad grade and my GPA drops below a 3.5?
High marks in all classes, including honors and AP, are at the core of SOAR Academy; hence the “academic rigor” part of the SOAR name. At the end of each semester, any student whose GPA does not meet the SOAR Academy criteria will be placed on academic probation. That means he or she will have the next semester to bring his or her GPA back up where it needs to be. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the program.
Can I be a part of other school programs, like CAT, AVID, or Studio D and still be a SOAR Academy scholar?
Yes! There are many honors classes you may choose to take both within and outside of the school's other programs. For example, in Studio D there are options to earn honors credit. This honors credit will be honored the same way a traditional honors class will be, and you may still be a SOAR scholar.
What makes SOAR Academy different than other honors programs in the district?
You get to go to Westwood and take advantage of ALL the school has to offer!
Every honors program in the district maintains different criteria. In regard to ours, SOAR Academy has chosen to emphasize independent research and university level presentation, as well as enrichment activities, where students learn outside the confines of a traditional classroom or discipline. We feel this program combines the importance of academic rigor and performance with the best of independent intrinsic learning and exploring, all at a level beyond the typical high school experience.
No. Certainly, there will be students in many of your classes who are also SOAR scholars, particularly in your honors courses. But your core classes will not be restricted to only SOAR scholars, and of course your elective courses will include students from across the school. You will have opportunities to socialize and work with SOAR scholars, but you will also have plenty of opportunities to socialize and work with all Westwood High School students.
What if I play sports or participate in extracurriculars after school? Do I have to give those up to fit the Seminar course into my schedule?
The SOAR Research Seminar course (10th and 11th grade) meets as a “late bird” class with periodic meetings and independent study, but students are NOT expected to have to give up their other activities to take the course! We can work with your schedule. Please be advised though that the Seminar course is an independent study and does require a great deal of time, research, writing, and work. You will have the option to manage your time to suit your needs, but you will be expected to dedicate a substantial amount of time to the course, to arrange alternate course meeting times that are agreeable to the teacher, and to meet all deadlines.
What if I make a bad grade and my GPA drops below a 3.5?
High marks in all classes, including honors and AP, are at the core of SOAR Academy; hence the “academic rigor” part of the SOAR name. At the end of each semester, any student whose GPA does not meet the SOAR Academy criteria will be placed on academic probation. That means he or she will have the next semester to bring his or her GPA back up where it needs to be. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the program.
Can I be a part of other school programs, like CAT, AVID, or Studio D and still be a SOAR Academy scholar?
Yes! There are many honors classes you may choose to take both within and outside of the school's other programs. For example, in Studio D there are options to earn honors credit. This honors credit will be honored the same way a traditional honors class will be, and you may still be a SOAR scholar.
What makes SOAR Academy different than other honors programs in the district?
You get to go to Westwood and take advantage of ALL the school has to offer!
Every honors program in the district maintains different criteria. In regard to ours, SOAR Academy has chosen to emphasize independent research and university level presentation, as well as enrichment activities, where students learn outside the confines of a traditional classroom or discipline. We feel this program combines the importance of academic rigor and performance with the best of independent intrinsic learning and exploring, all at a level beyond the typical high school experience.