Some of the most impactful learning experiences for students happen outside the confines of a classroom, whether it’s through an after-school program, off-campus extracurricular activities or travel to far-off destinations. As vital as it may be to become proficient at core subjects through traditional modes of learning, real-world interactions and hands-on work often leave an even deeper impression. At North Texas charter schools, special programs take the concept of a well-rounded education to the next level.
In particular, initiatives at Westlake Academy and the campuses of International Leadership of Texas (ILTexas) take field trips to the extreme — with journeys to the nation’s capital, Europe and Asia among the opportunities for students to immerse themselves in other cultures and rub elbows with high-powered people. As an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School since its inception in 2003, Westlake Academy focuses on international mindedness through a robust list of opportunities. For example, students may enroll in exchange programs in Costa Rica and Argentina, take part in French language immersion experiences in Quebec, and attend the International Student Leadership Symposium, which this year takes place in Brussels, Belgium.
Travel to these destinations is covered by a combination of federal and state funds, as well as contributions from the Westlake Academy Foundation. Students traveling to the Brussels symposium need cover only their airfare expenses to unlock a world of opportunities.
“They’re going to get new ideas, new perspectives. That’s huge,” says Joe Durdin, communications specialist for Westlake Academy.
Luc N., a 17-year-old 11th grader and aspiring medical professional, has high expectations for his first trip to Belgium.
“Rather than reading about a culture online, learning about other cultures in a hands-on way allows me to live the culture and understand its connections and impacts in a more personal manner,” he shares.
At ILTexas, the Distinguished Student Ambassador Program (DSAP) provides opportunities for students to explore international leadership careers through trips. Caitlin Madison, executive director of communications, marketing and public relations at International Leadership of Texas, says DSAP started 11 years ago and has allowed students to explore leadership roles in the global community, from New York City to China.
Most recently, the top 3% of students from all campuses embarked on a weeklong trip to Washington, D.C. They met with high-level officials at organizations including the U.S. Department of State, the Pentagon and the Chinese Embassy. High-ranking generals, ambassadors and diplomats engaged with students as a group and one-on-one.
“It wasn’t solely our most brilliant students, either. If students have expressed an interest in some sort of international relations or political kind of a career, we took that into account, too,” Madison says. “We took these kids up to D.C. 100% paid for, unless they wanted souvenirs or something like that. But it was much more than educational tourism.”
The goal of the trip was to expose students to various options for their future and inspire them to pursue international careers — perhaps as ambassadors or doctors. “The DSAP trip was an experience that I will never forget,” says senior Kashina Daceus, 18. “I would like to believe that it was during this trip that I truly understood the significance of independence and responsibility.” Even though there were chaperones, Daceus notes, they encouraged students to act on their own accord when possible, making the young people more comfortable to interact with leaders who might be a little intimidating otherwise.
“My favorite activity on the trip would definitely have to be getting the chance to tour the Pentagon and hearing Col. Teague Pastel speak about his journey in the Marine Corps and at the Pentagon,” she adds. “This provided me with a lot of insight into some of the necessary steps the U.S. has to take in dire situations to preserve the longevity and well-being of its citizens and the government.”
Fellow senior Elijah Cordova, 18, echoes Daceus’ appreciation for the Pentagon tour.
“Being a normal civilian in a high-caliber place, our visit to the Pentagon is something I don’t think I will forget for a long, long, long time. So many interesting things happen there, and just being a group of high school students walking around one of the most powerful buildings on the planet was so crazy,” he says.
The way the powerful people interacted with the students caught Cordova off guard a bit. “I think there’s just this mutual respect. If you respect them, they respect you. It doesn’t matter your age, your ethnicity, whatever it may be,” he says. “I didn’t think anybody at the Pentagon would even acknowledge my existence. Meanwhile, they were saying good morning to me, shaking my hand, so it was something so impactful and just really cool.”
Next up, ILTexas will be taking 60 kids to Taiwan for a cultural and language immersion at a university where they will stay and speak Mandarin Chinese almost exclusively.
“It’s another truly incredible opportunity,” Madison says. And it’s one more way some charter schools aim to break the mold of education in Texas.
Not all special programs require students to have a plane ticket.
Here are three more innovative programs.
Harmony Public Schools: STEM SOS
STEM SOS (Students on the Stage) is a rigorous, interdisciplinary STEM teaching approach that involves project- and inquiry-based learning. The goal is to promote not only collaborative skills and student ownership of learning but also success in state and national standards. STEM festivals at each Harmony campus have become annual events to showcase student work.
Universal Academy: Cambridge Pathway Program
Universal Academy is the first and only public school in Texas to offer the “world-class Cambridge curriculum.” An international program taught in more than 1,300 primary schools in 110 countries around the globe, Cambridge curriculum is designed to help learners develop skills and true understanding of English, math, science and Cambridge Global Perspectives — a cross-curricular subject that inspires independent thought and curiosity.
Academy of Dallas: Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE)
As part of the NFTE program, students learn many valuable skills and the highs and lows associated with becoming an entrepreneur. The in-person Startup Tech program introduces students to mobile app development, business ideation and crafting pitches, creating business plans and elevator speeches, and showcasing their plans.