In recent years, Academies have become a central part of Tech’s identity. As students, we are told to pursue our dreams and follow our passions, but we are only offered 5 paths, and we are expected to make that decision at 14 years old. We are told that we can be anyone or do anything, but our own school limits our smallest choices.
In my freshman year, I wrote my academy application for the “fashion art and design academy! I was so excited to start, only to realize that the class would be focused on fashion rather than visual art, which was my passion. I sat at my desk, incredibly frustrated with my class. After a few weeks, I attempted to switch to an elective art class. After a long process, I transferred out of my academy and into ART 2. Finally, I had an elective that I was excited about. One month later, I was told that what I had done was not allowed. Even though I had talked to all the right people and gotten all the signatures on my class change form, I would have to return to Fashion.
I was able to switch to Engineering, but the process was a harsh awakening to the bureaucracy of Oakland Tech. I’m not the only one who had an experience like this. We surveyed the students at Oakland Tech in grades 10-12 and received 44 responses. The survey revealed a bigger issue in the academies than just one class or bad experience. The real issue is that academies limit our academic freedom.
The academies are considered electives, classes that students can choose for themselves. The option to take electives gives students a small amount of freedom in an otherwise highly restrictive environment. However, Academies are mandatory, and through that rule, a lot of that freedom is lost. “I think we could have more freedom to explore different careers,” says Avalynn Lau, a Computer Science junior, “not just in the academy.”
However, it is also important to acknowledge people’s positive experiences within the academy system. One student, Avery Kaleta Health Senior, says: “I love the health academy and the teachers.” Despite the system’s flaws, we can acknowledge that it has allowed some teachers to create amazing classes. They have taken what they were given, a bureaucratic way of herding students through high school, and made it something that students can enjoy, learn from, and love.
However, the academy system stifles curiosity by forcing students into a box. The system assumes that all students want to choose a specific career path. However, at this time in one’s life, it is better to try on many hats.
Most jobs require the creativity fostered in the Fashion Academy, the problem-solving skills taught in the Health and Engineering Academies, the mastery of communication encouraged in RPL, and the foundational understanding of technology learned in the Computer Science Academy. High school is supposed to give students a foundation of skills that will help them wherever they end up. So instead of pressuring students to pick one ability over another, administrators should encourage them to explore a wide range of classes that will give them new experiences and perspectives.
It is easy to point fingers at teachers, students, or other individuals, but the problems with the academies are no one’s fault. We all play a part in making the best of this situation and eventually changing it for the better. We must take equal responsibility for the part we all play, teachers, students, and faculty alike, and collectively decide on what our education should be.
It is very important to us that students’ views are heard. If you feel like your opinion has not been taken into account please contact us. My email is s_lucy.don@ousd.org I encourage you to use it!