$7.5 Million for 55 Students - The Bend Magazine

$7.5 Million for 55 Students

Incarnate Word Academy's College Counseling and Career Center serves to help students identify their passions, narrow down their college choices and find scholarship opportunities

Figure 1: Students celebrate graduation with the traditional tossing of their caps in front of the Corpus Christi Cathedral on Graduation Day.

Students at Incarnate Word Academy are well-known throughout South Texas for meeting and exceeding high academic standards, and the 55 students of the Class of 2022 are no exception – a fact readily apparent in their collective college scholarship offers of more than $7.5 million.

Figure 2: Students pose several questions to the university representative at the Texas A&M University – College Station application workshop.

Choosing the right college or university is one of the most important decisions a student will make. Incarnate Word Academy’s College Counseling and Career Center not only serves to help students identify their passions and narrow down their college choices but also provides valuable information to students and families about colleges and scholarship opportunities. As a college prep academy, IWA utilizes and provides the comprehensive college readiness and career planning tool, Naviance, to connect academic achievement to future goals, providing valuable resources for students starting in 8th grade and continuing through graduation and beyond.

Figure 3: Students learn more about St. Edward’s University by visiting their table during the Middle and High School Level College Fair at IWA.

Because IWA Angels are known to soar in post-secondary education, representatives from a wide range of excellent colleges and universities eagerly attend IWA’s college fair each year. Beginning in 8th grade, students gain exposure to a variety of colleges and universities and benefit from the opportunity to ask questions and meet college representatives in person. Other special events include college application and financial aid application sessions for students and parents. IWA college counselor, Sherilyn Calhoun, works closely with students to help them identify colleges and majors that fit their interests and college preparatory coursework. Having helped students achieve their dream school admission for many years, Mrs. Calhoun states, “One of the best experiences in the world is the special joy that comes from seeing a student work hard to get into their dream college, and make it! And lucky for me, at IWA, I get to experience that joy over and over again.”

 

Figure 4: Middle and High School Level students and college representatives enthusiastically fill the Mother Patricia Gunning Gymnasium for the IWA College Fair.

The IWA Class of 2022 graduates will attend colleges and universities throughout Texas and the rest of the country, including Baylor University, Texas Tech University, St. Edward’s University, University of Notre Dame, University of Michigan, William and Mary, Duke University, the Colorado School of Mines, the U.S. Naval Academy, and more.  The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University – College Station are always popular choices, and IWA Angels consistently surpass the usual 6 and 10% acceptance rates, with 47% of the Class of 2022 accepted to UT and 47% accepted to TAMU. 

We are so proud of all of our graduates, and wish the Class of 2022 all the best in college and beyond, knowing they leave IWA equipped to make wise decisions for their spiritual, academic, social, and emotional well-being.

If you would like to learn more about Incarnate Word Academy, please visit our website or give us a call at (361) 883-0857.