Starting next academic school year, a change will shape students’ futures. The upcoming merge of all La Joya ISD early colleges and specialty schools has left many students and staff uncertain and devastated by the change that will bring the schools together.
” I was surprised because I like the class size. I’ve been here for two years and like what I see. By adding more students, I think there would be more competition and less one-on-one from the teacher,” said Business teacher Hector Tijerina at Jimmy Carter.
” But I didn’t know it would be here at Jimmy. But, I think my first thought was, ” Oh, the kids, what are you guys going to think or feel and how it’s going to affect you,” said Thania Robles.
Robles said many of her colleagues and she expected something like the consolidation; rumors about it had abounded for months and years. However, not only were some teachers surprised, but students as well.
” When I first heard it, I thought that it was something they were playing around with since they always like to come up with new ideas and never make it happen. But then the board meetings happened, and it clicked that the merge was going to happen,” said Junior Kimberly Reyna.
Although there are many opinions on the merge, it is nonetheless happening, and neither students nor staff can make a difference but continue learning and teaching.” Nothing really; we’re just going to continue teaching, wondering if we get to stay or not,” said Robles.
“My initial thoughts on the school’s merge were mostly negative. I thought that this was something that was unnecessary and that this was unjust and unfair for all early college students, considering that we have applied to these particular schools for a specific reason. Not only that, but the district seemed to be doing this for their benefit,” said Freshman Xcaret Rios from Thelma Salinas.
Many students and staff have been drastically surprised by the rumor’s realization, wondering if they’ll even stay for the next school year and if there will still be that sense of community and togetherness as there was before.
“The class sizes are one of the reasons why early colleges are a success. It’s not just the courses they offer. Still, the classes also have fewer students than regular high schools. Hence, teachers get to work with students more one-on-one and dedicate more time and energy to their learning,” Robles said.
