By Isabella Montenegro
Opinion Editor
At Costa, students must be more welcoming to everyone by providing a diverse population of
students and by educating and broadening our peers’ horizons through our administration.
Costa is known for having the majority of its student population be of white race. According to the National Center for Education, Costa is composed of 2,538 students. 1,550 students are of White origin, 359 students are of Hispanic origin, and 42 are of Black origin. There are only three minority race clubs, the Latino Scholars Union, the Black Scholars Union, and the Pacific Islanders Club.
Students of these different races are feeling the detrimental effects of the nondiversity dynamic on campus. According to Seph Peters, the Black Scholars Union social media representative, although such a subtle act, the looks given by peers makes her the most uncomfortable. Peters believes that if Costa students become more open and accepting this can become an environment that she can feel comfortable all the time. According to Dayanna Horta Ramirez, the Latino Scholars Union president, when she walks into a classroom she stands out making her hyper aware of herself.
One reason why students at Costa may seem unwelcoming to others of minority races is
because of the lack of education that often leads to racist or descrimination acts.
Costa is such a prestigious high school with a graduation rate of 98%, participation of at least
one AP course of 75%, and of those who participate at least 67% past one AP exam as
demonstrated on US News. The education standards here at Costa are extraordinary, which
attract the high achieving students.
As mentioned above, students should want to attend Costa as it is proven to be a top achieving public high school. If the school can promote and give opportunities to high achieving students from surrounding cities such as Lawndale, where there are primarily minority ethnicities/races, this can increase the diversity on campus. This can be approved and executed by offering permits for non-manhattan residents according to Costa principal Dr. Karina Greger.
To initiate change, faculty on campus can begin educating students of different cultural
ethnicity/race. If one is taught social cues on what can be considered racist and non racist,
Costa can gain the reputation of a safe space rather than a place where students do not enjoy
themselves.
One may oppose the atmosphere here on campus to be more of personal experience. Although one can conclude this, it is widely known that there is a scarce amount of different ethnicities and races according to Greger.
Costa aims to give the most opportunities to its students, and if it can give an opportunity to the minorities for a better education it must begin here.
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