WATSONVILLE — On Tuesday, hundreds of Watsonville High School freshmen will make a decision that will guide the rest of their time at the school.
Before they choose which of the seven Small Learning Communities they will join, however, they had a chance Thursday to learn about them all.
WHS’s Small Learning Community program allows students to focus their studies based on their interests, even as they work their way through traditional courses such as math and English.
These include Business and Technology (BATA), Education, Community, Humanitarian and Outreach (ECHO), Environmental Science and Natural Resources (ESNR), Engineering and Technology, Health Academy, Mosaic and Video Academy.
And so during Small Learning Community Recruitment Day, older students set up informational tables and other events to give their younger peers a taste of what their academies offer.
“It’s great that they have a choice,” said WHS coach Nikki Lewen. “You now get to pick based on your interests.”
The rest of the older students spent their day at a job fair, during which they heard from industry professionals from police officers to scientists.
The recruitment day was bolstered earlier in the week when freshmen watched informational videos about the academies, which were produced by the Video Academy.
Senior Elijah Sanchez, 17, said he joined the ESNR academy to gain experience in a field other than art, which is his intended major once he graduates.
His goal Thursday was to encourage the first-year students to join.
“It was a great experience for me,” he said. “It would be great if we had more people join us. The more the merrier.”
Andrew Rodriguez, also a senior, said that giving the required presentations as part of ESNR boosted his confidence and helped him become a good public speaker.
He also said he enjoyed the science-based field trips he took with the academy.
Chris Ruiz, 14, described the upcoming choice as “stressful.”
“Once you choose your academy, you stick it out throughout high school,” he said. “So you take it kinda seriously.”
Chris said he is leaning toward the Mosaic academy, which focuses on visual arts.
Karla Avila, 14, agreed that the decision comes with anxiety, but said that was not bothering her. Karla was likely going to choose the ESNR academy.
“It’s going to open a lot of doors for me,” she said.
Angel Garcia, 14, said he got guidance from his older brothers, both of whom were part of different academies. He said his main inspiration, however, comes from his time in leadership roles at Lakeview Middle School.
That, he said, will likely push him to join the ECHO academy.
“That’s what ECHO has, and that’s what interests me,” he said. “I’m going to be there for three years, and I have to choose wisely.”
