Piersilvio Amadu
I find it incredible how one letter, buried among a pile of publicity can change one’s course of action. As a European, so unaccustomed to American schooling, I found myself wondering what my next step towards college was; and then it arrived, on a humid Miami afternoon, my letter (an invitation to apply to SAS). At first, I didn’t see it and almost trashed it, thankfully, my mother always checks the mail before me. Next thing I knew, I was taking the PERT Test and attending a SAS orientation; looking back at it now, I’m so glad I didn’t throw anything away.
During my sophomore year, I attended a challenging and isolated online academy program, yet somehow, I found myself wanting more. I wanted to reach beyond the limitations of a traditional high school, and experience true academic excellence. I needed a program that would challenge, nourish, and expand myself academically, SAS was the perfect fit.
Truth be told, I struggled much when adjusting to the workload in junior year at SAS. However, while I was burdened with a limited understanding of American Government, those around me weren’t, and were willing to help. What shocked me most of all about the program, was the willingness and the generosity of not just the faculty or staff, but the student body as well; they were all willing to help and support me.
Last year, around April, I found out that I was unable to receive most benefits that a citizen of the United States can apply to when attending university, such as FASFA or Bright Futures. Truthfully, when I was trampled with this reality, I began to lose hope. Fortunately for me however, everyone around me gave me courage, strength, and the occasional pep talk which helped me not to lose hope. Today, I can attend a university on a full merit scholarship, because those around me cared enough not to let me give up.
The School for Advanced Studies truly is a “Dream Factory”, it encompasses the best of both academics and people. The lesson this soon to be SAS graduate has to offer is the following: when looking through publicity, wait before throwing anything out, there just might be a life changing letter.
Piersilvio Amadu
School for Advanced Studies, Class of 2019
Florida International University, Class of 2023
Daisy Andino
Life altering. Challenging. Transformative. Inspirational. Fun. All these words accurately describe my experience at this wonderful institution. I guarantee that if you decide to attend this school they will describe your experience in these halls with equal accuracy.
Initially, I was hesitant about leaving the comfort of my old high school. I listened to my friends’ suggestion to take on this new challenge with incredulity. I even thought she was crazy. Finishing high school and the first two years of college at the same time? It sounded like insanity and I wasn’t sure that that was a challenge I was ready to commit to. At its roots, my indecisiveness boiled down to my fear of change. I was comfortable in my current program. Why change and uproot my life? Fortunately, I didn’t let these thoughts take the front seat in my mind and keep me from making one of the best decisions of my life. It turns out that the longer I thought about SAS, the more I realized it was a perfect fit for me. It was the change I didn’t realize I needed.
Prior to SAS, I attended a magnet school and was therefore submerged in an environment where everyone around me seemed to have made up their mind about what they wanted to study. In this sea of determination and uncontrollable drive, I felt lost and without a remote sense of direction. Because of this, I started to seriously consider SAS. The program enables commitment to dual enrollment which was what drew me in. This was an opportunity I had to seize. With the exposure that college classes would give me in a variety of subjects, I was bound to find something I enjoyed.
So, I took a leap of faith and found myself in a rigorous program designed to help students fulfill their dreams or, like in my case, find a dream. This was the perfect solution to what had become the conundrum of my life. I grew up terrified of people asking me what I wanted to do when I grew up. Did I want to pursue a career in science or liberal arts? Was I interested in business or the STEM track? All these questions festered in my mind for years and the more I thought about them the more hapless I felt about ever figuring the answers. Thanks to SAS and the faculty that makes it a renowned school, I found direction and drive for my life.
SAS has been an experience that I will carry with me forever. The lessons that I’ve learned extend beyond the classroom. I’ve learned to be accountable, responsible, independent, and compassionate. The close-knit community makes the challenge of a rigorous program less daunting because you have a support system to fall back on. As I reminisce about these eventful two years, the overarching feeling I have is of gratitude. I am grateful for the staff that has guided me along the way, for the teachers that have left a lasting imprint in my life, and for the friends that I’ve made along the way that have played a role in shaping me into the person I am today.
It’s crazy to think about how one decision can alter the course of your life. Mailing the SAS application and accepting admission was a pivotal movement in my life that onset a series of wonderful events. Had I decided to let the fear of the unknown and the unconventional hold me back, I would have never sat at the various college information sessions that our school regularly held, I wouldn’t have considered going to an out-of-state college as a possibility for me, and I wouldn’t have applied to UChicago. Needless to say, my life has been changed for the better and to SAS I am forever grateful.
Daisy Andino
School for Advanced Studies, Class of 2019
University of Chicago, Class of 2023
Elizabeth Carbonell
When I first heard about SAS, I was hesitant to leave my school and my friends behind. I feared starting again, and I was intimidated by the difficulty of taking both college and high school classes at the same time. However, after the first week, I realized that I had made the best decision of my life. I saw the motivation and dedication in the students, their passion towards learning, and their willingness to encourage and support each other, a combination rarely seen at my old school.
While each SAS campus has its own identity, the goal is the same: to strive for academic excellence while enjoying the experience, making memories that will last a lifetime. From the traditions that characterize our campus—the Senior-Junior duo, the pinning ceremony, and the milestones in the Lake of Legends—to the SAS wide activities—talent shows, picnics, and dances—we transcend beyond the classroom as a family.
The friendships I made here I will carry forever. They have pushed me to work hard and to strive to be the best possible version of myself. They have inspired me through their commitment and diligence to do the same.
SAS has also taught me many lessons; it has been an opportunity to grow academically and personally. It truly teaches a sense of responsibility and independence not offered at any other school. The broad range of courses available to choose from gives each student the opportunity to explore different areas and to see what interests them. The academic rigor mimics that of higher institutions exposing students to what they will encounter in life after SAS.
Even though it gets difficult sometimes to balance such demanding courses, there’s always support available. The teachers at SAS are genuinely interested in each student’s progress and are willing to help in anything to ensure that the student is learning. Furthermore, our counselor, Dr. Townsel, will go above and beyond his obligation to guarantee that the needs of each individual student are met, and if there’s ever any concern he will be the first to advise and guide us in what we jokingly call “Townsel Talks.” Such thoughtfulness and cooperation between the staff and the students are what separates SAS from the traditional high school.
As I look back it is clear that SAS opened my eyes to the opportunities available to me. It showed me that anything is possible as long as you dream big and work hard. Whether it was by encouraging me to apply to fly-ins, summer programs, and scholarships or by simply promoting good grades and club involvement, SAS paved the road to ensure academic success. Whereas before I was insecure about my abilities and fearful of challenges, I leave SAS proud of what I have accomplished and excited about my future.
Elizabeth Carbonell
School for Advanced Studies, Class of 2019
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Class of 2023
Selma Chab
I first heard of SAS in 8th grade. Two girls arrived at my school and performed a cheesy tune boldly claiming that SAS was “better than the rest.” As I sat watching the Alumni presentation, I smugly thought, “never in a million years.” Turns out a million boiled down to two, and I found myself filling out an application in 10th grade with that song playing through my mind.
Two years almost feels too brief a time to spend at SAS. Although the stress is abundant and the tribulations are tiresome, I feel that coming to SAS is one of the best decisions I have ever made. SAS provided something that my other high school could not: Opportunity. Opportunity, not only to achieve higher education, but to meet like-minded peers, to be guided by expert educators, and to discover yourself. SAS is the place for any student who is ready to take control of their future. The amount of freedom and trust the faculty allow is intoxicating. I cannot imagine returning to my previous high school.
At my traditional high school, it was easy to get lost in the crowd. At SAS, however, with the smaller class sizes and support of the faculty, I feel that it is easier to receive the one-on-one help you may need. The trailer is readily available from 9am-12pm, and the teachers will always welcome any querulous student with open arms. I feel more prepared now that I have faced the rigor of an all Advanced Placement curriculum. I am confident that SAS is a huge factor in my acceptance to one of the best schools in the nation. All of the ingredients for success are present at SAS, it is simply up to you to make the most out of every second.
Selma Chab
School for Advanced Studies, Class of 2019
University of Chicago, Class of 2023
Alejandra Curbelo-Paz
There are few choices one makes in a lifetime that are bestowed the title of “Life Altering,” deciding to participate in the School for Advanced Studies was one of those choices for me.
I was blessed enough to have someone in my life that had suggested I apply, hence when the time came to do all the necessary procedures I was more than prepared. Well, I was more excited than prepared, my motivation stemming from the idea that I would be given the opportunity to complete my first two years of college while finishing up high school.
Now as I reach the end of this chapter in my life, I recall it with the utmost warmth. When I first enrolled I knew it would be a difficult task to accomplish, a new experience in which I would test my academic stamina and challenge the limits I had originally established. SAS was so much more than that. My life at SAS was colored with sensational moments that allowed me to grow as a person, I was able to delve deeper into who I was, what I enjoyed, and what peaked my interest. Studying here opened new doors to an academic life that flourished with knowledge and overflowed with support from staff, teachers, and friends. I became involved with not only the school, but also the beautiful community that my campus was fortunate enough to be located in.
Being involved in Student Government, I often get asked by younger classmates and incoming juniors if given the chance would I have done anything different. The answer would be no. I loved my time at SAS, when I was able to blossom and grow into the young woman I am today. Starting the Fall of 2019 I will be a proud student of the University of Miami, always keeping in mind my formative years here at SAS. Here I was able to make much more than just friends, I was able to make lasting memories with a group of students that I now consider family.
Alejandra Curbelo-Paz
School for Advanced Studies, Class of 2019
University of Miami, Class of 2021
Lina Fernandez
As I try to put into words the immeasurable impact SAS has had on me, the last two transformative years and the praises I have for the program boil down to this: SAS changed my life, and deciding to attend remains the best decision I have ever made.
It is hard to imagine now that I almost didn’t make it to SAS. I live in North Key Largo and applied for the program the first year they began accepting applications from kids outside of Miami-Dade County. Living in a rural area with only 3 public schools in the entire county, school choice seemed like a privileged fantasy. When I learned about SAS from an advertisement I saw at Dadeland Mall (who knew a random day at the mall could so profoundly change the course of my life?), I was so excited to apply.
I remember vividly going to MDC Homestead for the first time to take my PERT because it was Halloween and I spent the whole morning wondering if it would be weird to wear my costume to campus. I had never visited the campus before, but I was struck by the vibrant grassy courtyard, the bright red and orange details of the buildings, and I felt at once wholly comfortable and excitedly nervous in this new place.
While it has never stopped being a beautiful and welcoming place to go to school, the nervousness I initially felt dissipated on my first day when a senior took me under her wing, introducing me to people and showing me where my classes were. I have never experienced the kindness and comradery of the student body at SAS Homestead anywhere else. From my very first day, total strangers went out of their way to help me acclimate to my new school. One girl brought donuts for the incoming juniors because she remembered a senior doing it for her junior class and the thoughtful gesture had stuck with her.
Because we are so few students, we really develop into a family. This isn’t something I say lightly. I never expected the genuine attitude of decency, respect, and companionship, born from our mutual experiences, that I have encountered at SAS. I could go to the library and sit with anyone there. If I struggled with a concept or had a question about when an assignment was due, I could text our senior group chat and someone without a doubt would be there to help. I think this is what I will miss most about SAS: beyond the incredible academic offerings and the gift of two years of free college, I have, for the first time in my school career, felt like we were all in this together. There are no cliques. There is no meanness, no rivalry. SAS fosters something really rare and precious in its student body that is both unnameable and unmistakable.
When I was still attending my home school, my dream of going to NYU felt like some distant, glittery future I had no means of reaching. While I have always been a person of many passions, my opportunities to express and explore them were limited, and I feared this would mean NYU would not see all that I was capable of. Attending SAS not only meant access to a nationally-ranked academic program, but also to one of the best cities in the world (I really believe this!). For the past two years, I have been interning at The Pérez Art Museum Miami on their Teen Council. Now I am pursuing Sociology and Art History at NYU with the goal of a career in museum work. This never would have been possible had I remained at my old school, a 2-hour drive from the museum. Being a SAS student opened up a world of opportunities for me and allowed me to participate in extracurriculars that animate me and that have influenced my future career plans.
I am confident that my successes, both presently and in the future as a college student and professional, stem from the life-altering experience SAS has gifted me. I owe so much to my teachers, passionate and engaging educators who make learning fun and make me feel seen and valued in the work that I do. Their guidance, and the bonds I have made with my peers, have shaped me into the person I am and helped me create my own path toward accomplishing my dreams. As I go forward in life, I will try to be the kind of person that reflects well on the school that has given me so much and honors the investments my teachers and this community have made in me.
I encourage anyone considering SAS to think about what they want their life to look like two years from now. I never could have imagined where I would be, and how much of it I would owe to a school I never expected to attend. If you see a future for yourself driven by ambition and passion, one in which you are enriched by your classes and encouraged by your peers, where you can learn to face your goals boldy and take great leaps toward accomplishing them, SAS is where you belong. Believe in yourself and believe in the power of what SAS can do in transforming your life.
Lina Fernandez
School for Advanced Studies, Class of 2019
New York University, Class of 2023
Regina Gallardo
Independence can challenge you in ways you never imagined. It is a path that is made up of decisions. The choices you make might take you to the place you want to be, others might not. Either way you go, allows you to grow and discover new things about yourself. My decision to come to SAS was my first step into independence. I saw myself taking opportunities that would allow me to become my best self.
Looking in hindsight at the choices I made during my time prior and during SAS I know that the best one was deciding to attend this wonderful school in the first place. Little did I know, it would open up options for me I could never have dreamed of and brought more growth to my life than I ever imagined.
Although the curriculum was challenging, I began to understand that I needed to do certain things in order to become my best self. I made the choice of managing my time and asking for help. SAS was a nurturing community where I was able to obtain the help I needed to further advance my academic career.
SAS became a second family. It is a home away from home where you are given the tools to become the person you want to be. SAS allowed me to stand up for what I believe in and become a global citizen. It allowed me to embrace my newfound independence of being a young adult and use it to serve others. I am proud to be a SAS White Tiger and I hope I can continue to serve this wonderful community for allowing me to become the best version of myself.
Regina Gallardo
School for Advanced Studies, Class of 2019
Wellesley College, Class of 2023
Lorenzo Gregori
My journey to SAS began in 10th grade, when I got the recruitment letter in the mail. At first, I was skeptical as I had never heard of SAS before, but my parents urged me to at least look the school up, so I did my research. I was impressed by the opportunity SAS offered to earn an associate’s degree during high school, and to prepare for college. However, I remained apprehensive as I had a comfortable life at my old school with an established group of close friends, who I didn’t want to leave behind while having to restart my life at a new school.
At the end of the day, the promise of opportunity was too enticing so I decided to take a chance and enroll at SAS. I have never regretted that decision. I quickly found that my fellow students here are some of the friendliest and kindest people I have ever met. We truly are one big family at SAS. Moreover, it is a highly enriching environment since the students come from so many different backgrounds and have diverse passions here. Through our discussions I have learned about a huge variety of unique things that I might have never been exposed to otherwise. I will cherish the friends I made here for the rest of my life.
SAS provides the environment to learn new things with others just as passionate about them as I am. One of my favorite experiences has been my time on the Mock Trial team, which completely surprises me as I never thought I would join, much less love, something like this. I must say that public speaking has always made me nervous, so I initially was not interested in joining the team. However, I enjoy law, so I decided to give it a try. It turned out to be a wonderful time, staying late after school crafting legal argument with my teammates. Although I was nervous at the idea of presenting cases to a court, with the help of my teammates and the teacher heading the club, I managed to learn how to speak publicly and we came together as a team undefeated until the district finals. It was one of the most enjoyable and rewarding things I have ever done. That is what truly makes SAS great. The people here, and what you can accomplish together.
Furthermore, although the college curriculum can seem daunting at first, I have learned more in these past two years than I have in the past sixteen combined. I have had amazing opportunities to grow and find myself as a person while exploring my passions. My past two years at SAS have truly been the best two years of my life, and I only wish they could have been longer. Thanks to the opportunity that SAS provides, not only educationally but through networking with bright, talented, and passionate people, my horizons have been expanded in ways I never imagined. I thank SAS for being the springboard to launch my college career in the best way possible.
Lorenzo Gregori
School for Advanced Studies, Class of 2019
Johns Hopkins University, Class of 2023
David Hernandez
High School: a crucial time in which the individual undergoes personal growth, forges life-long friendships, and finds purpose in his/her passions. This very definition has served as the foundation for some of my biggest decisions, including the choice to attend SAS. When I first learned of this exceptional school, I was skeptical of its nature, believing it was much too good to be true. What if classes were too rigorous? Would I be sacrificing my high school experience? Despite my uncertainties, I believed that SAS offered a challenging education that would lead to extensive opportunities.
Within the first week of junior year, all of my doubts faded and were replaced by excitement for the years to come. At SAS, I have been able to maximize my potential in both advanced placement and college classes. From constitutional law to calculus, the SAS curriculum encompasses a wide range of academic fields. My school has granted me the opportunity to delve deeper into my passions and explore new areas of study. Learning about government and partaking in class discussions has helped me realize my desire to serve others, whether it be in the court or elsewhere. The college courses have also been instrumental; from enriching lectures to research, MDC classes have expanded my knowledge of the world.
Because of SAS, I have been given the chance to meet incredible people from various backgrounds. Meeting fellow classmates, who share similar or same goals and interests, has motivated me to succeed. Here, conversations flow effortlessly and we’ve become one large family. Finding this common ground has enabled me to create long lasting friendships and to grow as a person; it has given me a clear vision of what I want from a college experience.
Looking back at the past two years, SAS has exceeded my expectations and pushed me beyond my limits. I can say with complete confidence that I look forward to nothing more than college, where I hope to lead others and learn the skills needed to serve my community as best as possible. Being a student here has truly been an honor, and I will do everything in my power to ensure that I represent what it means to be a part of SAS.
David Hernandez
School for Advanced Studies, Class of 2019
University of Miami, Class of 2023
Joel McCullough
Before I came to SAS, I couldn’t even imagine that the school could be enjoyable. Until that point, school had been a completely impersonal chore that everyone had to suffer through to get ready for the real world—yes, students ultimately benefit from it, but that doesn’t mean we’re supposed to enjoy it.
Coming to SAS proved to me that learning doesn’t have to be a miserable experience.
SAS students aren’t treated as little kids who need to have their hands held, but rather as adults who can take care of themselves. From my very first day, I was given a level of freedom that I had never before been given: freedom that, while initially intimidating, ended up being an extremely valuable experience for me. Instead of being shoehorned into specific classes chosen by the school, SAS gave me an entire catalog of courses at Miami-Dade College to choose from. In my two years here, I’ve taken classes in programming, music, politics, and Japanese, and this variety of options allowed me to discover interests that I never even knew I had.
My Japanese class is a great example of how SAS encourages exploration and discovery. I stumbled on this class in the Miami-Dade College catalog and really wanted to take it, but it was a night class, and was held on an entirely different MDC campus. I would need to take the Metro and a bus to get there, and when the course ended at 7:30, I would have to take the train home. Most high schools would be extremely hesitant to allow a student to take a class that involved so much additional time and effort. However, when I mentioned my desire to take this class to my counselor, she actively encouraged me to enroll. This freedom to pursue your dreams in whichever manner your heart desires is what makes SAS’s nickname, “The Dream Factory,” so well-deserved.
Joel W. M. McCullough
School for Advanced Studies, Class of 2019
University of California San Diego, Class of 2023
Ryan McKenzie
I was once in your position, foraging through past testimonials and determining whether the School for Advanced Studies was worth all of its accredited praise. How can one school truly be enjoyable while maintaining its prestigious academic status? Well don’t I have friends now; how can I meet new peers and expect to develop a unique, family-like bond with them in such a short timespan? Oh, and how am I supposed to pursue any of my current passions and hobbies while attending an institution solely focused on creating distinctive and free-thinking scholars? Well, looking back through a lens of hindsight, I can guarantee you that SAS not only meets but exceeds all of these expectations. These last two years have been more than a blessing, and I cannot emphasize enough for you to take a chance on this school and community of beautiful and amazing people.
I am going to be honest; you are going to be challenged. You are going to be expected to demonstrate key pillars of responsibility and respect, maturity and empathy. However, because of these expectations, what you learn on your journey is that through all that you take on, and through the plethora of opportunities that are presented, you will become both a better version of yourself and receive unimaginable chances to expand your abilities and mind. One observation of this is evident in the collective experiences that my peers and I underwent during our week before AP exams. We had just completed our college classes and were putting in those last moments of cramming before the culmination of our labors in high school. Despite this final hurdle ahead of us, we were all compiled in one classroom studying as a single organism: writing facts and figures on the walls surrounding us, playing gimkit and kahoot on the projector, and testing one another on our understanding of the tested subjects. Together, we were all conjoined at that moment by our shared tribulations and trials. And it is like that for our entire experience; we as students at SAS receive challenges, yet we overcome them and grow beyond our preconceived notions of who we could become.
Of course, I would be remiss if I did not mention the extent to which the teachers and administration care about their students. They all take the time and effort to lift their students to reach their potential and never throw in the towel. Through their fascinating and fun lectures, I not only learned more in my time at SAS but actually enjoyed going to school for the first time. I am indebted to them for all that they have done to help me reach my dream school, and I hope that from here on out I can use the many lessons they taught me to improve the world for which we live within.
Ryan McKenzie
School for Advanced Studies, Class of 2019
University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2023
Chance Onyiorah
SAS is an experience that goes beyond rewarding. It not only provides its students with a rigorous course load but with emotional support and, most importantly, friendship.
I felt comfortable at my old school, but, upon coming to SAS, I realized that challenge was what I craved. SAS offered that challenge and gave me the opportunity to experience personal growth that I would not have experienced otherwise. The feeling that you get stepping onto campus on that first day of junior year, seeing seniors screaming and hugging each other, you instantly know that SAS creates a rare and unique bond between classmates that turns them into family. I truly believe that no other school offers this type of environment where there is closeness between all students from all different backgrounds and walks of life.
Coming to SAS has given me the opportunity to do and dream things that I never thought were possible. At SAS, you are around people who have similar goals to yours and who understand the daily stresses that you face. You make irreplaceable memories with those around you. You create friendships that last passed graduation.
I am so grateful to have had the encouragement of my school to help carry me to the end of this two-year journey. I know that much of who I am today is attributed to the fact that I go to School for Advanced Studies. There is nothing like a school, a community, a family that offers their support and guidance no matter what.
Chance Onyiorah
School for Advanced Studies, Class of 2019
University of Florida, Class of 2021
Victor Ramirez
SAS is a school for those who are willing to go above and beyond in their academic studies. It is a school where every student is motivated to achieve success and go on to do great things. It is a school where people go to make their dreams come true, henceforth “The Dream Factory.”
My story started two and a half years ago when I first received my letter of acceptance. I was overcome with emotion as I read the words “Congratulations,” it was something that I did not expect. Being accepted meant me having to step out of my comfort zone, leave my high school and my friends, and embark on a new journey. However, I knew I was ready; ready to explore what college had in store for me. So I accepted, left behind most of what I knew and was enrolled in college with students who had graduated high school before me and were much older. It was very intimidating at first since the classes were fast-paced, and there was no time to fool around. But as time began to pass, I began to appreciate the choice I had made. I saw myself growing as a student, becoming more mature with my schoolwork, and changing into a person that would be able to achieve all the goals he had set out for himself.
If I could state one thing that I most appreciated about SAS, it would be the support from the faculty and peers. It is an environment where one is recognized for their academic achievements and is motivated to excel. The teachers at SAS truly made an impact on my student life. You are not going to find the dedication and loyalty the teachers have towards their students anywhere else. They are always available to help you with your studies and can answer any question no matter what. Without them, SAS would not have impacted me the way it did.
SAS has become my home; it has taught me many things that I never expected to learn in a regular high school. It taught me time management and work ethic. I was able to participate in subjects varying from A Survey of World Religions to Abnormal Psychology: subjects not offered at my old school. It made me a better student, made me a scholar and leader, and grew my passion for learning in a way I never thought possible.
So I say to anyone reading this testimonial, apply to SAS, and if you are already admitted to SAS, you have so many good things to look forward to. SAS made my dream of attending a top university come true, and I am sure it will do the same for you.
Victor Ramirez
School for Advanced Studies, Class of 2019
Princeton University, Class of 2023
Josh Rios
Although it may seem hyperbolic, I truly mean it when I say that one of the greatest decisions I have made in my life was to attend SAS. The opportunity to study here not only taught me endurance and allowed me to receive my AA before my high school graduation, but it allowed me to create friendships I know I will never forget and hopefully never lose in my walk through life. The school also led me to find my potential as someone who can create change in the community while simultaneously jumpstarting me down a road to success.
The narrative many people “warned” me about was that I would lose certain experiences and accolades by attending SAS; that narrative was simply not true. If it were not for this school, I would not have become a member of SGA, cultivating relationships with students throughout the campuses, I would not have become Student Advisor to the School Board, a position that allowed me to have a seat alongside the Members of the School Board and becoming the voice of students across the county. The position of Student Advisor to the School Board gave me the opportunity to bring change to the way leftover food in our schools is handled. I contributed to the passing of an item that would mandate leftover food be donated to food pantries and homeless shelters across Miami-Dade County.
The achievements, memories, and friends I made here are second to none, for had I not taken that risk of changing schools and venturing to a place many had “warned” me about, I would have never become the strong, resilient, passionate person I am today that seeks to change the nation one day. I thank my family, my friends, my teachers, the administration, and God Almighty for the blessings that flowed my way through this school. The chance I took on SAS was well worth it, and I promise you, it will be well worth it to you as well.
Josh Rios
School for Advanced Studies, Class of 2019
Florida State University, Class of 2021
Jacob Rosenfeld
Time has truly flown by in the past two years, and I could not have imagined the speed at which I was propelled towards my brightest possible future. I remember being hesitant at the challenge that would confront me at the School for Advanced Studies (SAS). Watching my brother, Class of 2016, spending hours studying for college and high school classes alike, threatened my comfortable environment. However, I could never have understood the extent to which SAS would accelerate me towards opportunity and unify a close-knit cohort of inspiring, determined friends through tribulation and triumph.
I will not lie. The School for Advanced Studies is challenging and demanding to say the least, but it changes you. Surrounded by an intelligentsia of like-minded, driven scholars, a paradigm shift is borne in that excellence becomes the norm, success becomes the expectation, and the originally absurd becomes the attainable.
However, you are not alone. Everyone at SAS is here to help you. The godsend that are your teachers employ a pedagogy and heartfelt care that inspires all the students to put forth every modicum of their intellect until we grow to acquire more. They sacrifice countless hours into your wellbeing, work alongside you in harrowing times, and suffer vicariously in your test anxiety since they see you as more than just a score, but as a changemaker and a person to be valued.
The administration seeks to empower you towards every single opportunity that arises; from every nook and cranny that exists. The Miami-Dade College professors at Wolfson expose you to knowledge and potential fields of interest that never appear in a traditional high school setting. But I still haven’t elaborated on one of the most important aspects of School for Advanced Studies – the friends you will make.
As I have already said, SAS is difficult, but this is precisely what catalyzes an everlasting bond between you and your fellow classmates who bolster your dreams every step of the way. After every college class, assignment, and draining test, I looked forward every day to see the smiling faces of my SAS family who lived and learned alongside me in my moments of euphoria, distress, and accomplishment, as I have with them.
The School for Advanced Studies is not just a school, it an incubator of metamorphosis, fulfilled aspirations, and family; and I will miss it immensely, and you will one day too.
Jacob Rosenfeld
School for Advanced Studies, Class of 2019
Columbia University, Class of 2023
Yael Sterenfeld
“Yael, are you sure you want to do this?”
I wasn’t sure. Not even a little bit. But after an abundance of difficult conversations with my parents as well as one too many attempts at a pros and cons list, It was finally time to make the decision I had been avoiding. I took the proverbial advice to “sleep on it” and when I woke up, a text had been sent to me by my friend with an article of the top public high schools in the nation. SAS was on it. I found myself starting the School for Advanced Studies that August.
Looking back, I didn’t need to rely on such an arbitrary sign to make my decision for me. SAS has been the most eye opening and impactful journey I have embarked on thus far in my life.
I would be lying if I said that SAS wasn’t daunting and intimidating at first; the class curriculum seemed challenging and the Miami Dade campus was far too big to navigate! However, within the first couple of weeks of settling in, I was assured by knowing everyone around me was experiencing the same fear and unfamiliarity that comes with starting a new school as well. Only instead of diverging on separate paths, we collectively and intentionally went through this trek together.
School for Advanced Studies’ intimate class setting and tight knit student body fosters learning and growth. I have the utmost respect for my teachers, who have not only sacrificed their time to help me with everything from personal difficulties to questions I have regarding course material, but for creating a warm and exciting atmosphere bred by their undeniable passion and zeal for the topics they teach. I think that another factor that truly makes SAS stand out in comparison to other top schools is the people. Never had I been asked about my religion or thoughts on existential ideas so casually in a conversation before until I had met students at SAS. What’s so incredible about the idiosyncratic and unique individuals that make up SAS is their natural curiosity and respect towards one another and the world around them. I am not only fascinated with the plethora of cultures and types of people that embody this school, but am inspired by their constant motivation and grit.
SAS helped me navigate the ins and outs of the college process and helped me feel confident enough to apply to top tier schools I would have otherwise avoided if not for their insistence. Graduating high school with an Associates Degree has not only been highly rigorous and intellectually stimulating, but has allowed me to take a variety of college courses that have pushed me to discover passions like criminal justice and law, interests of mine that have not been truly solidified until now.
My quest for knowledge has dramatically expanded in the last two years and I have SAS to thank for helping me realize that my thirst for learning should and always will be, insatiable.
Yael Sterenfeld
School for Advanced Studies, Class of 2019
Cornell University, Class of 2024
David Turino
To many, School for Advanced Studies (SAS) is just another high school in Miami Dade County. To me, however, it’s home away from home. At the Dream Factory, not only have I succeeded academically, but I have also blossomed as an individual. It is a unique place, filled with smiling faces and helping hands, guidance and advice, and most importantly, talent and success.
Coming to SAS, I knew I wanted more than what my previous high school offered. I wanted to take courses in a variety of subjects not offered at a traditional high school. I wanted to get involved in unique clubs and organizations that interested me. I wanted to study alongside peers who were driven both academically and civically, excelling in the classroom as well as in the community. After learning about the academically enriching and intellectually rewarding opportunities SAS had to offer, I knew that this was the school for me.
SAS has a special high school environment, one where I have experienced nothing but utter joy in. This jubilance has seeped its way not only into myself, but each and every one of my peers. At SAS, I have had the ability to delve into the vast array of courses offered, from Financial Accounting to Jazz and Popular Music. At SAS, the faculty and staff have worked tirelessly to help me achieve my academic and personal goals, all while not only being my mentors and advisors, but my friends as well. At SAS, I have been able to make lifelong friendships with the leaders of tomorrow.
Words cannot even begin to describe the pride I have to be a graduate of the SAS Class of 2019. This school, my peers, and the staff will always hold a special place in my heart.
David Turino
School for Advanced Studies, Class of 2019
University of Florida, Class of 2023
Julian Perez-Doval
The unknown is something feared. We worry about our future because it is uncertain. However, there is a beautiful part to not knowing what lies ahead; it humbles us to be attentive of opportunities, allows us to grow in faith, and provides us with the potential to make our path in life successful to a degree we may not conceive in the present. The dark cloud in my life two years ago was deciding whether to remain in my former high school or transfer to SAS. I chose to attend SAS after several months of deliberation, and it is one of the best decisions I have ever made.
SAS is a hidden gem in the academic system. It is unparalleled in the freedom it provides to its students: the freedom to choose college classes that interest you, design a schedule that maximizes your productivity, and use the resources provided not only through the high school department but also the college department. Throughout my two years at SAS, I have fostered strong relationships with my teachers because of office hours and have been successful due to resources like the Writing Center, STEM Center, and library. The close-knit community makes faculty extremely approachable and allows you to discover all the amazing opportunities present at the school. SAS tailors to your needs so that you can achieve your academic goals (helping many people attend top colleges and universities) and social goals (including a variety of academic, cultural, and recreational clubs as well as amazing events like dances and senior events).
Looking back, I know I was scared of missing the “high school experience” and leaving my comfortable life. It is true; this is not a traditional high school and you will have to work, but if you join the SAS family you are meant to be here. You will carve out your own unique experience, creating incredible friendships and memories that will make your high school experience. Your time at SAS will be indescribably awesome, so do not be afraid to step into the unknown.
Julian Perez-Doval
School for Advanced Studies, Class of 2019
Dartmouth College, Class of 2023
Rita Vega
SAS has been by far the best decision of my high school career. If you are second guessing yourself and are looking for a sign in these testimonials- consider this your sign. Before enrolling, I had many teachers and friends that told me that by transferring schools I would be jeopardizing “a regular high school experience” but looking at it now, SAS enhanced it. This school has provided me with an endless amount of opportunities.
I left my previous school in hopes of attaining a better education, now I am leaving SAS with much more than that. The curriculum at SAS is like no other. As a SAS Dual Enrollment student at Miami-Dade College Wolfson Campus, I was able to explore various fields of interest rather than the generic courses required at other schools. From day classes to night classes, I took full advantage of this opportunity. Now, of course, it’s challenging and it will get rough at points, but how are you going to grow as a person if you don’t challenge your limits?
To me, relationships are everything. I truly believe that the people you surround yourself with, shape the person that you become. SAS provides you with such a diverse group of people that by the end of your journey, you feel so privileged to have walked the stage with such an amazing group of people. I am so happy to say that SAS has contributed to the person I’ve become in this season of my life. Here, people are not scared to be themselves and truly make you feel so at home. You are able to speak about topics that other people are too afraid to touch upon. The people that you will be surrounded with will bring out the best version of yourself.
Since joining SAS, I was able to accomplish many things that I never saw myself reaching. I became Student Government President of SAS Wolfson, Vice-President of the MDCPS District Student Government, a Youth Commissioner, board member of the Children’s Trust, a Nyah Project fellow, and most importantly a Silver Knight winner in the category of Art. Winning the Silver Knight has by far been my greatest accomplishment and although SAS does not offer any art electives, they give you the freedom to express your passion through either clubs or MDC classes. I was able to found the Film and Photography club at SAS and join other clubs that allowed me to express myself. I was also given the freedom to continue my photography outside of school without it affecting my academic work (manage your time). People here at SAS want to see you happy while at the same time helping you achieve greatness. I am so thankful for all the time that my teachers have invested in me.
Without the support from my family, church, friends, classmates, teachers, and faculty I would not be where I am today. If it were not for the 2-hour call I had with Mr. Lindsay about me joining SAS- who knows if I would have been accepted to the school of my dreams- The University of Michigan (GO BLUE!). The relationships I built these past two years have been one of the most authentic relationships I’ve ever made. SAS is a family and if you were given the opportunity to be part of it, do not hesitate to do so. All you have to do is open up your heart to destiny.
Rita Vega
School for Advanced Studies, Class of 2019
University of Michigan, Class of 2023