GILROY
– Gilroy High School is inviting eighth-grade students and their
parents to have their questions and concerns about the school
answered at its second Information Night.
By Lori Stuenkel
GILROY – Gilroy High School is inviting eighth-grade students and their parents to have their questions and concerns about the school answered at its second Information Night.
GHS will showcase its strengths for the class of 2008 during a 90-minute session tonight, highlighting everything from academics to an award-winning music program.
The first GHS Information Night, organized last January by GHS and parents, drew a standing-room-only crowd of prospective students and their parents. This year, the orientation is targeted more toward eighth-graders who are thinking about a private high school.
“This one is more directed toward those who are uncertain,” Assistant principal Joni Madolora said, “if they’re thinking about not attending, or where they are going to attend.”
Although the high school has not conducted any surveys of potential freshmen, Madolora said Information Night could indicate whether an increasing number of students are being lost to private schools.
“This is one of the ways that we’re also going to do a barometer check,” she said. “The question of this is … are there a lot of people who don’t want to be here?”
GHS advertised Information Night not only to students attending the district’s three middle schools, but also to Saint Mary School in Gilroy, which has students in kindergarten through eighth grade.
Keeping enrollment and attendance numbers high is a priority for Gilroy Unified School District, which receives roughly $4,700 in state funding per student this year.
Tonight, teachers and department chairs will discuss the academic programs at GHS, including Advanced Placement and Honors courses.
Representatives of the Associated Student Body will be available to offer students’ perspectives first-hand.
“They’re ready to talk on their personal experiences as well as how to make the best at GHS and how to get involved. … If they have questions, who to go to,” Madolora said.
Athletics at GHS will be featured as a more varied program than at many private schools. GHS offers 23 different sports.
The orientation will also feature live performances from the jazz band, chamber singers and drama students.
The open format of tonight’s event will allow parents and students to ask plenty of questions, Madolora said.
GHS Information Night will be held tonight from 7 to 8:30 in the GHS Theater, 750 Tenth St.
Contact Assistant Principal Joni Madolora at 847-2424 ext. 7181, or jo***********@******12.ca.
us for more details.
