The first year of the T.J. Owens Early College Academy is wrapping up.  Students are looking forward to their long-awaited summer vacation. With the stressful life of the academy soon behind them students spoke of how their year went.
“It is stressful,” said Ashley Avery, “but it isn’t like other high schools.  The teachers actually want you to do well, and we learn a lot more.”

Many students agree that the program, which allows high school students to attend college classes, is stressful, however they enjoy coming to class every day. “You have to like coming here,” said Kim Andrade. “I mean if you don’t want to come you probably won’t do well, and you will get kicked out.”
Since there are only 60 to 70 students, they get to know each other well.

“It becomes a tight knit community,” said Andrade. “Since the class is so small we all know each other. The only problem is that it makes the drama is pretty high.”

Another student, Kaylee McQuaid, said, “Since we all are so close rumors spread pretty fast, and everyone knows a lot about everyone else, and even though there are rumors people know which are rumors and which are facts.”

Even though there is drama, which is like every other high school, students still say they enjoy the academy. 
“I like all my college classes except physical science,” said Andrade, smiling.

Students say they learn more than what they would normally learn if they weren’t attending the academy.   The classes they take go beyond what any high school can offer.  The students can enroll in most Gavilan classes, and they earn both high school and college credit.  They can earn 11 college credits per semester, which also count toward their high school graduation.  

“When I took the assessment in the beginning of the year, I hardly knew half of the stuff I needed to know,” said McQuaid.  “Now when I took the test a few months ago, I knew all the stuff, and much more.”

Many students have praise for their instructors.  “The teachers don’t only teach the curriculum,” said Andrade. “They teach you much more. They teach you a lot of stuff that you need to know for life in general.”  

“I love our teachers,” said Avery.   

While many students in traditional high schools try to find jobs, that may be more of a challenge for students in this demanding program.  

“I could not handle a job, and school at the same time,” said McQuaid. “It is stressful, and the Academy is strict, you need a 2.5 GPA or better, or else you get kicked out, and we have seen many people already get kicked out.”

The few T.J Owens students who have jobs, are mainly employed by Gilroy Gardens.  “Gilroy Gardens is the only place that will hire 15-year-olds,” said Andrade.  

Fernando Chavez said, “I would like to get an intern job that has something to do with acting.”   

Even though many say they want jobs, they would only like to have it during the summer, so that they can focus on school during the school year. Looking back over how this year has gone, students have their own reasons for enjoying the Gavilan experience.  

“I like it because you get to mix with the College kids,” said Andrade.  

“The college kids are nice,” said Avery.  “My friend and I got asked to a party, and we thought it was pretty funny because we think that thought that we are college students.”  

The students tend to like the fact that it is on a College campus, and most do not feel intimidated by it. “You feel safe on this campus,” said Chavez.  “It is fun,” said Andrade. “You get to go to class, we get a snack and lunch break, and when we aren’t scheduled for a class most of us go to the library to catch up on other work.”    

All the students who attended the T.J. Owens program this year were freshmen.  Next year they will return,  along with a set of new faces.