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The student news site of The Harker School.

Harker Aquila

The student news site of The Harker School.

Harker Aquila

The student news site of The Harker School.

Harker Aquila

Robert Fields (11) completes a quiz in AP U.S. History. Some colleges are reinstating requirements for standardized test scores that they removed during the pandemic.

Top colleges across U.S. reinstate ACT/SAT requirement

by Jonathan Xue and Charlie Wang April 16, 2024

On Wednesday, the California Institute of Technology announced that standardized test scores would be required for incoming college applications. Harvard University followed suit on Thursday. Over the...

In 2023 alone, over 10,000 research papers were withdrawn, setting a new global record. Journals subject papers to stringent review processes facilitated by expert peer reviewers, but many procedural and factual errors still manage to slip past inattentive editors, threatening to damage the reputation of legitimate scientific research.

Science has an integrity problem

by Mihir Kotbagi, Assistant STEM Editor April 8, 2024

Science, long held as the epitome of truth and objectivity, is facing an integrity crisis, with a growing number of retractions calling into question the reliability of published research and shaking...

Shafia Zaloom speaks to the frosh and sophomore classes about consent in a LIFE session on Feb. 2. Zaloom explained the meaning of a healthy relationship and emphasized the importance of not being pressured into making decisions.

Students explore cyber awareness, healthy relationships and life after high school through February LIFE assemblies

by Vivek Moorjani and Ella Guo February 23, 2024

Upper school students attended various grade level Living with Intent, Focus and Enthusiasm (LIFE) events across the month of February, while some also attended Eagle Buddy events. Assistant upper school...

Assistant technical director Aren Olson speaks about their educational journey in high school and college during the college panel on Nov. 8. Olson attended online high school, state university and community college before discovering their interest in technical theatre.

Upper school staff share unique college experiences in DEI panel

by Charlize Wang and Tiffany Zhu November 27, 2023

Upper school staff discussed their distinct academic journeys at the First-Generation and Community College Attendees panel discussion during the Nov. 8 lunch period in English teacher Susanne Salhab’s...

Committed senior athletes pose for a picture at signing day, wearing their respective college apparel. They took photos with family, friends and audience members after the ceremony.

Student athletes sign off to future in ceremony

by Emma Milner, Co-Sports Editor May 3, 2023

Nine seniors were honored by the upper school athletic department during the college signing ceremony in the Zhang Gymnasium at 12:45 p.m. on April 25.  Upper School Athletic Director Dan Molin started...

When the main objective for an Advanced Placement (AP) course is completing a final exam, success no longer involves learning or curiosity; instead, success comes in the form of a number between one and five.

Editorial: AP courses undermine students’ learning

by Editorial Board March 8, 2023

When the main objective for an Advanced Placement (AP) course is completing a final exam, success no longer involves learning or curiosity; instead, success comes in the form of a number between one and...

Sophomore students rise in response to youth advocate Charis Denison's opening prompt, "Stand up if in the last few weeks you reacted [to a situation] and then went home and went through all of the things you wish you had said or done rather than what you actually did." In her talk, Denison taught students about how to connect their feelings, thoughts and actions.

Speakers share insights about essential skills in annual LIFE sessions

by Ella Yee, Co-Asst. Multimedia Editor March 31, 2022

Additional reporting by Isha Moorjani and Lucy Ge Upper school students explored various topics from course planning to safe driving in interactive sessions coordinated by the Living With Intent, Focus...

A stack of SAT-prep books. The College Board announced that administration of SAT Subject Tests and the optional SAT Essay would be eliminated on Tuesday.

College Board discontinues SAT Subject Tests, optional SAT Essay to streamline pandemic services

by Aditya Singhvi, Aquila Co-Managing Editor January 20, 2021

The College Board announced yesterday that they will eliminate SAT Subject Tests and the optional essay component of the SAT and investing in creating a flexible, online version of the regular SAT examination.  “The...

SAT and ACT prep books lie on a shelf. A judge in Alameda County ruled that the University of California must immediately cease considering SAT and ACT scores in admissions and scholarship decisions.

UCs must go test-blind, Alameda judge rules

by Arushi Saxena and Aditya Singhvi September 4, 2020

An Alameda County Superior Court judge ruled in a preliminary injunction on Sept. 1 that the University of California system must immediately bar all use of SAT and ACT test scores for scholarship and...

Boston University is one of several colleges offering extensive online resources for prospective and admitted students.  These involve interactive video chats through Zoom or other platforms that involve Q&A sessions.

Senior spring online: making the most out of virtual college visits

by Gloria Zhang, Winged Post Editor-in-Chief April 19, 2020

Congratulations! *Cue the confetti* After months of waiting for “an update to your application status”, seniors, we finally reached the moment to embark on our college adventure. Yet, instead...

Columbia University last February. Columbia is one of several schools that has decided to cancel its admissions events as a part of new procedures that have emerged after the ongoing spread of the coronavirus.

Colleges cancel classes and international travel to minimize risk of coronavirus

by Varsha Rammohan, Managing Editor March 11, 2020

As more information is released about the closure of universities and colleges around the United States, this article will be updated with the latest news. Check Harker Aquila for continuous coverage. This...

Stephen Hughes ('12), Nick Nguyen ('15), Sheridan Tobin ('15) and Raghav Jain ('16) talk about their college lifestyles during a LIFE meeting for the seniors last Wednesday. The discussion was moderated by seniors Radhika Jain and Adhya Hoskote.

Students attend LIFE assemblies, meet with Eagle Buddies

by Saahil Thoppay, Reporter November 19, 2019

 Freshmen, sophomore and seniors attended LIFE assemblies on Wednesday while the juniors went to the Bucknall campus for Eagle Buddies.  The freshman assembly in Nichols Auditorium was a presentation...

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