Accelerated Achievement Academy offers opportunities
The Hollister School District has received the public’s
attention recently over inter-district transfers and API scores of
the schools in the district. Many parents these days want to have
more choices for their children, and some lack confidence in the
schools. Ironically, the Hollister School District has one school
that far surpasses the API of any of the rural schools with a score
of 942.
Accelerated Achievement Academy offers opportunities
The Hollister School District has received the public’s attention recently over inter-district transfers and API scores of the schools in the district. Many parents these days want to have more choices for their children, and some lack confidence in the schools. Ironically, the Hollister School District has one school that far surpasses the API of any of the rural schools with a score of 942.
The Accelerated Achievement Academy is a 4th through 8th grade school. As a small school, they have opportunities that no other schools in the area can come close to offering, including a field trip for the 7th-8th grade class to take a chartered bus south to UCLA, the J. Paul Getty Museum and the Fashion Institute in Los Angeles.
Students of the 7th-8th grade Accelerated Achievement Academy are not so different from your average junior high class. They have the class jock, class clown, the shy student and the driven-to-win student. What makes them different is their ability to work hard. They understand that working toward a goal means achieving their dreams.
“If you are not willing to work hard, don’t bother to dream big,” said Robin Dhaliwal, an 8th grader in the program.
And work hard they do. With the big picture of college in mind, they are working toward a goal of not just going to college, but preparing for the workload that will come with university life.
But there is also time to enjoy junior high. Recently, the class ran several fundraisers to raise enough money to take the trip to UCLA, the Getty Museum, and The Fashion Institute. They walked away with a new perspective.
Dhaliwal found out that in order to even qualify for UCLA, you have to have a grade point average of at least 3.5. She feels even more driven to succeed in school so she will meet the university’s strict requirements.
Emma Wittry, a 7th grader, realized it’s not just about grades if you want to get into college.
“I learned that I need to succeed not just in class, but also in the community.” Wittry reflected.
“Being a part of the AAA means getting into AP classes in High School, which means I get to take desired courses in college, not just the basics,” Bryce Beasley said.
These students are looking to a future of solid options for colleges and careers. Not to mention that they have a core group of classmates to lean on in the following years of high school.
The entire class had one point that they wanted to make clear: “Most people think the students in the school are nerds or geeks. We’re just normal kids who love sports, hanging out and doing our best.”
Applications are available for students entering 4th through 8th grade. Families that are interested in the program should call Christine White at Calaveras School, 636-4460, to set up an appointment.
