Morgan Hill – Web design, creating a resume, interview techniques and many other real-life skills are a part of daily life for a group of Live Oak High School students in the Computer Business Academy.
A high school within a high school is how some describe the academy, a grant-funded program the school has offered for 15 years.
“They’re a real diverse group,” Academy teacher Brianna Werkman said of the 162 students. “It’s a great way for students who are a little lower (academically) to become motivated and inspired by other students in the class. It becomes a little family.”
While attending regular core classes with other students, they also take specialized classes at the academy that focus on computers and business. Students also take field trips and participate in several business-related programs. The idea behind the program is to give students an edge in the business world.
The academy is funded by an $81,000 state grant. In her fourth year as lead teacher for the academy, Werkman is also responsible for re-applying for the grant every year.
“It’s a fairly competitive process,” she said.
This year, Live Oak’s academy serves 60 sophomores, 68 juniors and 34 seniors. The state requires the academy have 90 students to receive funding.
Students take college-preparation courses in several different areas. Werkman said to meet the state grant requirements, the academy’s classes must be offered to academy students only. The “pure” academy classes, or classes with only academy students at Live Oak, include 10th-grade English, 11th-grade English, British literature, world history, U.S. history, civics and economics, math, computer business application, Cisco networking and visual communication through digital media.
Sophomores and juniors complete 20 hours of community service. Juniors are also paired with a mentor from IBM.
The mentors communicate with the students at least once a week during the school year.
“Mentors help the students with their reports, they talk to them about life after high school, employability; it’s also a great way for the students to have another adult in their lives,” Werkman said.
For the past six years, the academy has participated in the Junior Achievement Ground Hog/Job Shadow Day, a national program designed to give young people an chance to experience a work environment. During this year’s program, Morgan Hill Unified School District Superintendent Alan Nishino hosted two students, and Comcast, the City of Morgan Hill and Cisco also participated.
“The students really enjoyed themselves; it’s a good opportunity for students to spend time with employees to understand the work setting,” Werkman said. “It’s good for them to get out there and see what it’s like to be in the working world.”
Werkman told trustees during a presentation at their Feb. 13 meeting that students are “recruited” for the academy through English and Social Studies classes, as well as during parent nights at the high school. But, she added, many times the available spots are filled by students bringing other students in.
