Pioneer Charter School of Science II (PCSS II) announced this week that three of its high school seniors have received early acceptance letters to top universities across the country.
Misato Chinchilla, Claire Kafeero and Norah Asemota from the graduating class of 2021 have been accepted to Cornell University and University of Pennsylvania and Stanford University.
Misato Chinchilla, 18, of Lynn received her early acceptance letter from Cornell University where she will pursue her studies in Atmospheric Sciences. Chinchilla said of her time at PCSS II, “My high school experience was challenging but full of fun. I gained lifelong friends along the way and had the honor of meeting wonderful teachers who not only taught me new knowledge but also served as mentors to me.”
She added “I had a lot of questions when I first started applying to colleges, but starting early in the process allowed me the time to get all of my questions answered and think over the direction that I wanted to take with my application”, Chinchilla added. “While the college application process was demanding, I was able to overcome the challenge with the support that I got from my counselor, friends, and family.”
Claire Kafeero, 17, of Malden was accepted to the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. Claire is the first PCSS II student to be accepted to UPenn.
“My high school experience would not have been the same without Pioneer,” said Kafeero. “At this school, I was pushed academically in ways I never thought possible. Pioneer has laid the foundation for my success, and I am forever grateful for the school.”
Kafeero also noted how integral the PCSS II community was to her success, explaining that “Due to the support of my counselor, teachers, and friends during the college application process, I was able to get into my dream school. I learned that while it is important to have good grades and test scores, being able to showcase your personality can really help you stand out.”
Norah Asemota, 18, of Lynn was also accepted to Stanford University via their early action program where she will pursue a degree in Biomedical Engineering. Norah is also the first student from PCSS II to be accepted to Stanford.
“I am incredibly proud of these students and what the future holds for them,” said Vahit Sevinc, Executive Director of PCSS II. “These early acceptances are the culmination of years of hard work and perseverance that culminated in truly extraordinary circumstances brought about by COVID-19. Yet these students stayed the course and earned acceptance to some of the nation’s most prestigious schools. I look forward to seeing the bright futures they have in store.”
PCSS II is part of a family of charter schools that offer a rigorous curriculum that emphasizes math, science, and analytical skills balanced by a strong foundation in humanities. PCSSII serves grades 7-12 and is located in Saugus. There are 53 in the class of 2021.
With schools in Everett (PCSS I) and Saugus (PCSS II), Pioneer Charter School of Science offers a rigorous academic curriculum emphasizing math, science, and analytical thinking skills balanced by a strong foundation in the humanities. The school offers extended days/hours and career-oriented college preparation. Students must pass five math and five science classes in order to graduate – more than state standards, and students must complete 40 hours of community service. The school has a 195-day school calendar, extended days, after school tutoring and “voluntary” Saturday classes for students who need extra help.