PGIA Students Heading to Madrid for 6 Weeks

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The final tally is in and 10 PGIA students will be spending six weeks in Madrid for our first international exchange program.  PGIA students Marissa Bornn and Caleb Potter are highlighted on the front page of the St. Thomas source this morning after being interviewed about this exciting opportunity.  Please see the article.  Thanks to the St. Thomas source for your recognition of this international and academic accomplishment!

Behind the Curtain of College Admissions

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On Thursday, October 22, the PGIA College Counseling Department of Chris Teare and Elizabeth Elger held an informative and engaging evening giving parents and students a view behind the curtain of college admissions.  Attendees were split into five different sub-admission committees for a fictional university.  Everyone read four students' applications and were tasked with admitting two, wait-listing one, and denying one.  A lively and spirited discussion ensued about the true tenants of a solid college application and how one determines the "best fit" for an institution.  Interestingly enough, the student with the highest standardized test scores and highest grade point average wasn't among the ones accepted!  Chris and Elizabeth would like to thank all of the attendees, and they look forward to another mock admission session in the spring!  Any and all questions about college counseling, please direct to Elizabeth Elger at eelger@vimsia.org.

 

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PGIA Reef Bay Field Trip

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Juniors and Seniors were sponsored for a scientific field trip to Reef Bay by Friends of Virgin Islands National Park.  National Park Ranger and great friend of the school, Laurel Brannick was their guide for the day.  Juniors and Biology Teacher Ms. Silva did a clean-up as a part of UVI's Coastweeks Cleanup.  Ms. Zakers and her 12th grade Environmental Systems and Societies class did individual directed research in areas including biodiversity, soil toxicity and endangered species.  Thanks to UVI, Friends of the National Park and Ranger Brannick.  This was a great experience for our students.

ESS Students & Ms. Zakers Visit St. Thomas Cemetery

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These pictures are of the grade 12 Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS) students taking data in the downtown St. Thomas cemetery today. We are studying birth dates versus death dates and life expectancy in the Virgin Islands during various time periods.

What do you think would affect changes in the VI demographics?

Very interesting!

DP Dancers Exceed World Average Assessment Scores

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The "DP Dancers" are PGIA Diploma Program students that have chosen to take High Level Dance as one of their three high level options for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. 

Every year, DP students around the world are assessed both internally and by external international examiners. Student results are determined by performance against set standards, such that student results truly reflect their abilities relative to their peers globally, not just at their school.

For DP Dance, the students are assessed on performances, dance investigations and choreographies.  For the second year in a row, under the direction of Ms. Helen Sidiropoulos, these students have exceeded the world average!  

So, here on our tiny little island in the Caribbean Sea, our students' achievements are exceeding those of their peers in places like the U.K., Switzerland and Japan.

Kudos to Ms. Helen and the DP Dancers!