eCademy Charter at Crane Principal Robin Swartz called her school a “hidden gem in Turlock” and even passed out little plastic gems. The truth is, eCademy isn’t going to remain hidden much longer, especially with the dedicated students it helps to produce.
On Wednesday night, eCademy celebrated its third graduation class with 35 students, its largest class yet.
“These students do more work, in less time with less support. We know our graduates will be ready for college because they are already self-motivated and disciplined,” said Swartz.
eCademy uses a blend of online and individualized one-on-one teacher and student learning to double the amount of credits a student can earn using an accelerated quarter system. It offers an ideal learning path for students who are either behind on credits or want to graduate early, and eCademy students can continue to take classes concurrently at traditional high schools, as well as participate in extracurricular activities.
Sargiz Eshaq, a former Pitman High School student, says the traditional route left him essentially feeling lost in a sea of students and distracted, which can often happen to high school students.
Then he discovered eCademy and quickly found his fit. He says he found the internal drive he was looking for, and found himself dedicating more time to his own education.
“I really liked the one-to-one interactions with the teachers. There isn’t 30-to-1 like in a classroom. The teachers here really work with you to remain focused,” he said.
He plans to continue his studies at Modesto Junior College, majoring in engineer and playing soccer for the college team.
Graduates Bryce Rodriguez and Stephanie Baker say eCademy helped them mature and develop the discipline they will need for college.
“I enjoyed the flexibility eCademy allows. I was able to pursue ROP classes in educational psychology and I was able to work in an elementary school classroom,” said Baker.
“eCademy prepares you more for college than regular high school. Once you get to college, no one is going to be holding your hand,” said Rodriguez.
Both Rodriguez and Baker praised the close-knit community at the campus and how there are opportunities for students to interact with each other through an on-campus leadership course.
“I would have never made it without the teachers and staff at eCademy. Here they care about all of us and our success,” said Rodriguez.
Baker plans to continue her education in Liberal Studies at MJC and then transfer to a four-year college. She says she will become a teacher.
Rodriguez will also continue his education at MJC and major in psychology. He also plans to transfer to a 4-year university.
2014 eCademy Graduates
Ramika Aslan Zayeh Khandi
Francisca Avila Perez
Stephanie Baker
Brooke Bettencourt
Sheila Bringham
Jacob Burgess
Chloe Corral
Crystal Covarrubias
Breanna Culbertson
Erick Diaz
David DiFede
Melissa Edgmon
Sargiz Eshaq
Dalton Fernandez
Nataly Fonseca Lopez
Mason Ford
Aaron Freitas
Joseph Garvey
Abigail Guevara Cruz
Haley Intravia
Makayla Jones
Jesarah Lane
Eric Lerma
Stuart Nicholas Lopez
Zena Martin
Rachel McGillicuddy
Kayla Meyer
Marisol Morfin
Emily Nava
Angelica Ornelas
Audrey Panella
Alexia Perales
Zachary Quinlan
Bryce Rodriguez
Jumaelena Salazar
Katelyn Sherley
Nila Trimble
Beverly Woody
Photo Courtesy of Jonathan McCorkell/TurlockCityNews.com
