Students at Immaculata High School marked an academic milestone, taking a five-year record number of 321 Advanced Placement exams, a stark contrast to the nationwide decline in academic performance since the pandemic-caused learning setbacks.
Students at Immaculata High School marked an academic milestone, taking a five-year record number of 321 Advanced Placement exams, a stark contrast to the nationwide decline in academic performance since the pandemic-caused learning setbacks.
The parochial Catholic high school in Somerville, which offers 22 A.P. courses, administered the exams in the spring of 2023 and, as a result, received a 100 percent passing rate in eight course exams, with 46 students earning A.P. Scholar Awards.
Kristin Boczany, vice principal for academic affairs, lauded the students, saying, “These students took bold steps in challenging themselves to a full roster of Advanced Placement courses.” Citing the teenage students’ ongoing commitments to their coursework, extracurriculars, family, friends, and jobs, she noted that balancing their commitments and taking A.P. courses, and the subsequent exams, is no easy task and “takes self-motivation, time management, and courage beyond their years.”
While the distinctions are notable in their own right, Boczany pointed to the results as an important indicator of the school’s academic health and culture.
“These distinctions tell us that our academic programs at Immaculata are strong, and build upon one another to give students the best chances for success,” she said. “This data also speaks to the fact that our teachers never settle and that they are constantly learning and evolving as educators, so that they can deliver the best possible faith-based instruction as the world continues to evolve and change.”
As many schools in the nation continue to face a deluge of post-pandemic problems - among them teacher shortages, declines in student attendance, shorter attention spans, and experiments with new curriculums - the vice principal said she is grateful that Immaculata High School seems to be far removed from the problems that many other schools are facing.
“From office hours, to extra study sessions, to engaging lessons, and assessments, our teachers are dedicated to students and their success. If Immaculata has one secret to academics, it is simply this - we build relationships with our students, and we see them as unique individuals,” said Boczany. “By building these relationships, we earn the trust of our students, and through that trust, students feel empowered to take educational risks and go beyond the boundaries of what is comfortable to explore what is great.”
The students’ A.P. exam scores and scholar award standings seem to bear that out.
Recognized for having demonstrated exemplary college-level achievement on A.P. exams, the following Immaculata High School students were recognized:
A.P. Scholar:
Students who earned scores of 3 or higher on three or more A.P. exams
Davis Adams; Caroline Colitti; Kirsten Connelly; Kimberly Dalessio; Periklis Drecolias; Sophia Feuker; Gabriella Fitch; Samantha Hummel; Ethan Kassai; Matthew Kirschner; Tehya Lim; Elise MacMillan; Kristin McNally; Jon Moreno; Ava Nagengast; Andre Rivera; Abigail Serrao; Olivia Serrao; Abigail Stowe; Adam Tiongson; Asha Toczek; Jack Tully; and Talia Wong
A.P. Scholar with Honor:
Students who earned an average score of at least 3.25 on all A.P. exams taken and had scores of 3 or higher on at least four exams
Aidan Cannatelli; Gabriella Glaz; Sharbella Jacobs; Jillian Kenny; Charlotte Lezny; Erin Lyttle; Keira McCabe; Caitlin Mustillo; Jillian Tareco; Finn Tully; and Owen Zohn
A.P. Scholar with Distinction:
Students who earned an average score of at least 3.5 on all A.P. exams taken and had scores of 3 or higher on at least five exams
Molly Arkoulakis; Ella Cosman; Gavin Fitzgerald; John Hanlon; Tara Khosla; Matthew Kolakowski; Marissa Mellyn; Theresa Musto; Daniel O’Connor; Giavanna Pechilio; Lilliel Shun; and Ainsley Zohn
A.P. Capstone Seminar and Research Certificate:
Students who earned scores of 3 or higher on A.P. Seminar and A.P. Research, but not on four additional A.P. exams
Keira McCabe
A.P. Capstone Diploma:
Students who earned scores of 3 or higher on A.P. Seminar and A.P. Research and on four additional A.P. exams of their choosing
Molly Arkoulakis; Gavin Fitzgerald; Gabriella Glaz; Ethan Kassai; Marissa Mellyn; Caitlin Mustillo; Theresa Musto; Giavanna Pechilio; and Ainsley Zohn
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Immaculata High School, a co-ed college preparatory high school founded in 1962, is enrolling for the 2023-2024 school year. To inquire about enrollment, contact [email protected].
The school is committed to the development of the whole person within the framework of Catholic traditions and values. Guided by the pillars of Faith, Scholarship, Service, and Friendship, Immaculata integrates a challenging academic curriculum that promotes spiritual, intellectual, physical, emotional, and social growth while fostering moral responsibility to self and others. For more information, visit: immaculatahighschool.org.