Frequently Asked Questions About Pope Globalization Academy
1. Are academy cohorts together all day and separated from the rest of the school?
Academy cohorts are together for the required academy courses only (Language Arts, Social Studies, and Capstone courses). Cohorts benefit from smaller class sizes, like-minded interest in academic rigor, and development of lasting friendships. Academy students join the full Pope population for all other classes.
2. How does the academic rigor of Pope’s Academy compare to other magnet schools?
Pope offers 28 AP courses, which is equal to or more than the number of AP courses at other Cobb County schools. Students in the Globalization Academy take two honors and eight AP courses as a required part of the program. Students may elect to take additional honors and AP classes in areas unrelated to their academy.
3. How do academy classes differ from non-academy classes of the same subject?
Academy teachers design cross-curricular lessons with a yearly thematic approach that links all four years together. The theme culminates in public presentations of long-term projects which focus on collaborative learning, technology, critical thinking and public speaking. Guest speakers, field trips and other activities support academic enrichment goals.
4. What are the benefits of being in the academy?
Students hone their skills in international and cultural ideologies along with like-minded classmates. Teachers observe increased student growth of “coming into one’s own” more than in traditional classes due to the unique family-like experience of cohorts, specifically in class participation and public speaking. Thematic projects, guest speakers, team building and social events, field trips and travel give students a unique experience and meaningful discussion points for college interviews and admissions essays.
5. Why choose Pope’s Academy over another Cobb County School District magnet program?
Our students and teachers say that being able to build camaraderie within a rigorous academic program while still being a part of the spirited “Pope Culture” gives students the best of both worlds. Students can engage in intellectual debates in academy classes and attend pep rallies, plays and athletic events with friends they have made in both academy and non-academy classes.
6. Can I be in Pope’s fine arts program and the academy?
Yes. Many academy students participate in Pope’s Fine Arts program. However, scheduling conflicts do occur where students must make a choice between classes. The administration and the Fine Arts teachers plan ahead to reduce the greatest number of scheduling conflicts. Some students choose to attend summer school to open a spot on their schedule and to reduce chances for schedule conflicts.
7. Can I play sports and be in the academy?
Yes. Many students successfully juggle the rigor of the academy and athletics with good time management.
8. What is the foreign language requirements?
Globalization Academy students are expected to take an AP level language. Students often take a foreign language in middle school and/or summer school. This may allow an open period during the senior year.
9. Is the travel required?
The overnight national and international trips are not required; however, the opportunity to travel to unique destinations on a teacher-led trip has deep educational and cultural benefits.
10. Am I required to do community service?
Globalization Academy students are expected to complete 20 hours of culturally related community service each year. These volunteer hours can be used towards the International Skills Diploma Seal.
11. Do I have to earn the International Skills Diploma Seal?
No, however Globalization Academy students have accomplished a majority of the ISDS requirements, so they are highly encouraged to complete the final presentation to earn their diploma seal.
Academy cohorts are together for the required academy courses only (Language Arts, Social Studies, and Capstone courses). Cohorts benefit from smaller class sizes, like-minded interest in academic rigor, and development of lasting friendships. Academy students join the full Pope population for all other classes.
2. How does the academic rigor of Pope’s Academy compare to other magnet schools?
Pope offers 28 AP courses, which is equal to or more than the number of AP courses at other Cobb County schools. Students in the Globalization Academy take two honors and eight AP courses as a required part of the program. Students may elect to take additional honors and AP classes in areas unrelated to their academy.
3. How do academy classes differ from non-academy classes of the same subject?
Academy teachers design cross-curricular lessons with a yearly thematic approach that links all four years together. The theme culminates in public presentations of long-term projects which focus on collaborative learning, technology, critical thinking and public speaking. Guest speakers, field trips and other activities support academic enrichment goals.
4. What are the benefits of being in the academy?
Students hone their skills in international and cultural ideologies along with like-minded classmates. Teachers observe increased student growth of “coming into one’s own” more than in traditional classes due to the unique family-like experience of cohorts, specifically in class participation and public speaking. Thematic projects, guest speakers, team building and social events, field trips and travel give students a unique experience and meaningful discussion points for college interviews and admissions essays.
5. Why choose Pope’s Academy over another Cobb County School District magnet program?
Our students and teachers say that being able to build camaraderie within a rigorous academic program while still being a part of the spirited “Pope Culture” gives students the best of both worlds. Students can engage in intellectual debates in academy classes and attend pep rallies, plays and athletic events with friends they have made in both academy and non-academy classes.
6. Can I be in Pope’s fine arts program and the academy?
Yes. Many academy students participate in Pope’s Fine Arts program. However, scheduling conflicts do occur where students must make a choice between classes. The administration and the Fine Arts teachers plan ahead to reduce the greatest number of scheduling conflicts. Some students choose to attend summer school to open a spot on their schedule and to reduce chances for schedule conflicts.
7. Can I play sports and be in the academy?
Yes. Many students successfully juggle the rigor of the academy and athletics with good time management.
8. What is the foreign language requirements?
Globalization Academy students are expected to take an AP level language. Students often take a foreign language in middle school and/or summer school. This may allow an open period during the senior year.
9. Is the travel required?
The overnight national and international trips are not required; however, the opportunity to travel to unique destinations on a teacher-led trip has deep educational and cultural benefits.
10. Am I required to do community service?
Globalization Academy students are expected to complete 20 hours of culturally related community service each year. These volunteer hours can be used towards the International Skills Diploma Seal.
11. Do I have to earn the International Skills Diploma Seal?
No, however Globalization Academy students have accomplished a majority of the ISDS requirements, so they are highly encouraged to complete the final presentation to earn their diploma seal.