Alumni

Celia Kuriakuz

Celia Kuriakuz, a Balboa Academy 2024 graduate, chose to attend the University of Pennsylvania after receiving offers from top universities like Brown, Duke, Cornell, Northwestern, Notre Dame, and Michigan. She plans to study neuroscience on a pre-med track, aiming for a career in brain-related medicine. Celia attributes her success to Balboa Academy's supportive and diverse community, which she joined in the third grade. Her numerous accomplishments include being on the National Gymnastics Team, completing 12 AP courses, holding leadership roles in student organizations, and winning the "Best Delegate" award at Harvard MUN-LA. She also interned at a pathology lab and contributed to a significant Alzheimer’s study at INDICASAT. Celia encourages younger students to dream big, pursue their goals, and continuously strive for improvement.

Emilie Mendoza

Emilie Mendoza, also from Balboa Academy’s Class of 2024, will be attending Harvard University, having been accepted by other prestigious institutions such as Williams College, UC Berkeley, University of Virginia, and King’s College London. Emilie will study comparative literature and aims to earn a master's and a doctorate while continuing her passion for poetry. Starting at Balboa in Pre-Kinder 4, she flourished in the school's supportive environment. Her poetry has been published in international journals like Polyphony Lit and Eunoia Review, and she participated in renowned programs such as The Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop. Emilie attributes her success to the exceptional teachers at Balboa and advises students to engage fully in school activities and appreciate their teachers.

Isaac Wright-Muller

Isaac Wright-Muller, a 2024 Balboa Academy graduate, chose Swarthmore College to study physics, aspiring to become a scientist. He attributes his success to Balboa's supportive community and rigorous academic curriculum. Isaac’s achievements include silver medals in national math olympiads, 13 AP courses with ten scores of 5, and a 1580 SAT score. He also contributed to the school’s basketball team’s success in various tournaments. Praising his teachers' dedication, Isaac advises younger students to complete assignments early to reduce stress and improve their academic performance.