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Working with Latino Students at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
Roberto Suarez, a college and academic counselor at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA), is confident that his students are in good hands when it comes to preparing for the future. IMSA, an internationally recognized residential school for academically talented Illinois students in grades 10–12, provides a tremendous opportunity for students throughout the state of Illinois to tap into their highest potential. “I believe IMSA is truly a place where caring hands exist and prosperous futures are fostered,” said Suarez. “I’ve also come to believe that there may be a gifted student in all of us. Given the right environment, the right frame of mind and the right opportunities, we can all excel.”
The school endeavors to develop creative, ethical leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and, as a teaching and learning laboratory created by the state of Illinois, it serves thousands of educators and students in Illinois and beyond through innovative instructional programs that foster imagination and inquiry.
Suarez, whose background is in college admission, assists IMSA with the recruiting of talented students — particularly gifted Latino students who may not have been identified through test assessments. Students apply in the eighth and ninth grades, and they can come from any school in the state. They must provide test scores, résumés and teacher recommendations. Once accepted, a portion of students will be given the opportunity to complete a three-week academic bridge program in the summer before they attend IMSA, which prepares them for the school’s rigorous academic work. When school starts, students receive staff support with their classes — particularly math, which includes advanced number theory.
To ensure that all talented students are prepared to apply to and attend IMSA when their time comes, IMSA knows it’s critical to get around to the elementary schools and familiarize the students and their parents with the school and its admission criteria. This is particularly important in the poorer districts in the state and in those with high Latino populations. IMSA holds “Kids Institutes” to work with the teachers to help them start preparing their students early. IMSA is particularly concerned with catching those at-risk, gifted, high achievers while there’s time to prepare them. Suarez will hold a workshop this March designed specifically to identify gifted Latino students and ensure that they are taking advantage of the resources available to them.
Suarez, who is serving his second year with the College Board’s Prepárate™ committee, will share his experiences in counseling and recruiting underrepresented students at the group’s next meeting March 1–2 in La Jolla, Calif., immediately following the Western Regional Forum. His efforts to identify gifted Latino students exemplify the goals of Prepárate, which seeks to address education issues affecting Latino students.
To learn more about IMSA, visit its website at www.imsa.edu. To learn more about Prepárate or the upcoming conference, visit www.collegeboard.com/preparate.
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