Social Stratification Of Presentation Academy

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During my high school career, I attended Presentation Academy in Louisville, Kentucky. This is an all-female college preparatory school located downtown. The school considered itself an advocate for social justice and a provider of proper cultural capital, a set of knowledge, perspective, norms, and language styles shared by a group, for a successful future in the diverse community (Class Notes 10/18/17). Through analysis of Presentation Academy’s demographic background and curriculum opportunities, I recognize that the school’s stratification could hinder some students success; however, the level I was placed in during my time there provided me with the benefits of the stratification. The social stratification of Presentation Academy was …show more content…

The school offers five AP courses, two dual credit classes, and the option to take classes at Spalding University. All these opportunities provide cultural capital by the possibility of earning college credits and preparation for college courses. While all graduates receive the same type of diploma, the school has different tracks that are recognizable. The three options are an honors track, regular track, or academic enhancement. The academic track entailed Freshman Honors Seminar, honors courses, AP courses during junior and senior year, and possible courses at Spalding. The regular track included students who were not advanced, but didn’t need an excessive amount of assistance. Students in the academic enhancement courses often had learning difficulties. These students broke classes down over longer periods of time, for example, algebra was taken for two years rather than one. Presentation also provided these students with a reading and writing course. Students in academic enhancement were encouraged to continue on to a college education; however, they were not allowed to participate in the honors, AP, or Spalding courses that provided cultural capital for