GLOBAL COMPETENCE IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY IS NOT A LUXURY, BUT A NECESSITY.
All students at MPA receive an education that prepares them for the fast-paced, ever-changing world—including the ability to think globally, communicate effectively, and contribute responsibly. They are geographically informed, curious, and able to evaluate information critically from various sources and perspectives, they communicate proficiently in a language other than their native tongue, and they use their global knowledge to better understand themselves, build relationships, and effect positive change in the world. Those in our Global Certificate of Distinction Program work to grow their global competence even further. They tackle additional time, work, and individual responsibility to advance their interest, knowledge, and skills in global education.
GLOBAL CERTIFICATE OF DISTINCTION PROGRAM
WHO? All MPA Upper School students are
WHEN? We encourage students to explore as
eligible to work toward a Global Certificate of
many courses in a variety of areas in ninth
Distinction (GCD).
and tenth grades and make a decision to pursue the certificate by their junior year.
HOW? Students interested in GCD should first
Portfolio building may begin after ninth grade.
discuss their plans with a world language or social studies teacher. From there, students
RECOGNITION
may download the GCD packet of materials
While the primary goal of the program is to
from the school website. The packet includes
help students gain skills and knowledge for
all requirements, forms, and information
today’s global and interconnected world,
to guide students through the process of
students who complete the program will also
achieving a Global Certificate of Distinction.
receive a certificate and academic distinction.
REQUIREMENTS ACADEMIC
GLOBAL SERVICE
ENRICHMENT
Students must take a world
Students’ senior service project
The enrichment requirement is
language through Level 4, receiving
must be global in focus and expose
intended to encourage students to
a 3.5 GPA (B+) or higher in each
them to another world culture.
explore areas of interest involving
level. In addition, senior social
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
world cultures and their politics,
studies and English elective choices must include at least one each of courses marked as GCD. All GCD courses must be passed with a 3.5 GPA (B+) or higher.
Students must participate in an international experience in which they connect directly to the culture and the people while practicing their world language skills.
arts, cuisine, history, geography, and language. Students must earn 100 hours of outside experience spread over three areas: Media Arts, Professional Speakers, and Culture in Your Community.