Academy for Global Studies

In a new world marketplace, our students will face problems that haven't even been conceived of yet. Find out what are we doing, now, to develop the skills necessary to tackle these complex problems.

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Where the classroom has no boundaries!

What is the Academy for Global Studies?

Core Components

Students attending the Academy for Global Studies will focus on mastering the same Common Core Standards that all of our students are mastering at Oshkosh West High School. However, we are committed to developing additional core competencies that prepare students for their involvement in a global economy. As we implement our curriculum, the Academy will focus on:

Core Component 1: Interdisciplinary Learning

Academy students learn through an interdisciplinary approach. Each day is slightly different, and students find themselves moving among classes and student groupings to best address the content. Our goal is to have students examine a topic through the different “lenses” of courses. For example, students learn about a particular topic Freshman year through World Cultures, Spanish and English. Interdisciplinary learning allows students to study a topic through different perspectives and at a deeper level than the traditional class structure.

Core Component 2: Inquiry-Based Learning

An old adage states: "Tell me and I forget, show me and I remember, involve me and I understand."

The last part of this statement is the essence of inquiry-based learning. Traditionally students learn not to ask too many questions, but instead, to memorize the expected answers. Effective inquiry teaches individuals to convert information and data into useful knowledge. Inquiry learning involves several factors: a context for questions, a framework for questions, a focus for questions, and different levels of questions.

Memorizing facts and information is not the most important skill in today's world. Facts change, and information is readily available -- what's needed is an understanding of how to get and make sense of the mass of data. Inquiry is not so much seeking the right answer -- because often there is none -- but rather seeking appropriate resolutions to questions and issues.

Core Component 3: Technology

Learning about the world is not the same as interacting with the world. A core component of the Academy is to connect with learners throughout the world so students can understand how issues and solutions may be very different, depending upon the culture. Since World Language is embedded into each level of the Academy, we will look for ways for students to connect to other language learners for authentic language learning.

Core Component 4: Smaller Learning Community

The transition from middle school to high school can be tough! Students in the Academy are working with the same group of peers for a three-hour block and are able to develop relationships with students of similar interests and goals. Students are assigned a teacher mentor, who follows their progress and works closely with parents and the counselor to make sure the students are on track.

Core Component 5: Certificate of Global Competence

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has developed the Certificate of Global Competence, which is a special honors recognition awarded upon graduation. Students who complete the requirements will receive a certificate from the DPI and high school transcripts will include the “Global Education Scholar” designation. Academy coursework has been developed to ensure that Academy students are able to earn the CGC through participation in the Academy. Oshkosh West was one of the first schools to be approved as a CGC site. CGC studies include four components:

Coursework: 8 credits of coursework with a global focus
Cultural literacy: reflections on cultural works of global significance
Co-Curricular School-Sponsored Activities: active participation in activities with a global focus
Capstone project: service project with a global/cross-cultural focus

Staff

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How is the Academy of Global Studies different from a traditional classroom? The Academy for Global Studies differs from a traditional classroom setting in the following ways:

a smaller learning community as they begin West (enrollment is limited to 75 students)
integrated learning (Social Studies, Honors English and Spanish coursework is taught in an interdisciplinary way)
inquiry-based learning, where students research issues in the world around us and look for ways they can be part of the solution
learning in an environment for college-bound students
connecting to learners around the world through technology
connecting to businesses and culturally diverse groups in the Fox Valley through field trips

What will the day look like?

Members of the Academy (approximately 75 students) will be scheduled into a multi-period block of time with three instructors
Outside of the Academy, students will follow a normal student day
Small group, large group, individual, research, and seminar time
Ongoing use of technology to “shrink the world”
Career connections with businesses and UW-Oshkosh

What is the Academy Course Progression?

Freshman year: 3 hour block
- World Cultures (1.0)
- English 1 Honors (1.0)
- Spanish 2 (1.0)
Sophomore year: 3 hour block
- AP European History (1.0)
- English 2 Honors (1.0)
- Spanish 3 (1.0)
Junior year: 2 hour block
- Spanish 4 (1.0)
- English 3 Honors (1.0)
Senior year:
- No formal Academy, students work towards completion of Certificate of Global Competence

What is the difference between World Cultures and AP World History?

We believe this is two different paths of learning. While the Academy is an honors program, the focus is interdisciplinary learning that builds from year to year. AP World History is a college level course that is taught in a traditional classroom setting. There will still be an opportunity to earn college credit in the Academy with AP Euro and CAPP Spanish. Our program is designed to aide in the transition from middle school to honors level and college courses in high school.

The Ideal Candidate

Successful Academy applicants tend to:

enjoy challenges and learning about topics in a collaborative environment
enjoys making connections between English, Spanish and Social Studies
read enthusiastically
want to excel in a world language
take responsibility for their learning
recognize that most ideas and issues are not black and white
work effectively as part of a group
respect a diversity of viewpoints
enjoy creative, problem-based learning with open-ended outcomes
interested in global issues

Enrollment Process

Travel Abroad Opportunities

CIEE

Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE)

CIEE is a nonprofit study abroad and intercultural exchange organization that transforms lives and builds bridges between individuals and nations by sponsoring a wide variety of opportunities for the exchange of ideas and experiences. The CIEE mission is to help people develop skills for a living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world, and contribute to a more peaceful global community by humanizing international relations.

Quick Facts:

220 programs in 42 countries and 61 cities
3 types of programs include Language & Culture, Service & Leadership, and Global Discovery
As of summer 2022, the Academy for Global Studies has sent over 40 students abroad and over $125,000 in scholarships have been given out to those students.

More information can be found at ciee.org

Here is complete list of our students and where they traveled!

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