The West Prep group in Costa Rica in April.
At West Prep, helping schools abroad
BY GABE HERMAN
West Prep Academy
middle school on
the Upper West
Side offers a unique service
learning program that gives
students a special opportunity
to work abroad with
vulnerable children in Costa
Rica.
Seventh and eighth graders
at West Prep, at 150 W.
105 St., participate in the
program, which partners
with the nonprofi t Squads
Abroad. The group travels
to Guanacaste, Costa Rica,
where they help to refurbish
local schools.
This April, students in the
program painted several murals
in Costa Rica, including
educational images for children
to learn from, according
to Nicole Feliciano, head
of the West Prep social studies
department. Feliciano
teaches the class with Chante
Orane, a West Prep eighthgrade
science teacher.
During the April trip, the
group also constructed a new
bookshelf in a classroom, and
started to build relationships
with the children through art
and play, Feliciano said.
Feliciano transitioned
seven years ago from private
schools to the public school
system.
“The middle school students
in my private schools
had multiple opportunities
to travel internationally,” she
said. “Beyond working to
close the academic achievement
gap, I look to close
the opportunity gap for our
scholars at West Prep Academy.
It is critical to the development
of our scholars that
COURTESY NICOLE FELICIANO
they have experiences — specifi
cally ones in which they
are able to engage within a
community — that are on
par with their peers in other
schools.”
While West Prep doesn’t
have the budget to fund overseas
trips for its students, the
staff was able to raise funds
and last year brought in
$20,000. The money allowed
for nine students to travel to
Costa Rica. Feliciano plans
to return there next February
with more students.
“We will continue to fundraise
on behalf of our students,”
she said, “and look
for people and organizations
who are willing to spread
the word about the amazing
things our scholars are doing.”
COURTESY NICOLE FELICIANO
The Upper West Side students built and painted a
bookshelf during the trip, among other activities.
Schneps Media TVG June 27, 2019 17