The air around me smelled of fruit-scented hairspray and freshly fallen rain. Waiting just outside of the room in which my interview would soon take place, I took note of my sweaty palms and hoped that whoever was going to be interviewing me wouldn’t offer me a handshake. I had heard about Accel Middle College from my mother’s friend and seen advertisements plastered all over schoolloop, though I had never considered the possibility of actually attending. Going to Accel would mean leaving Silver Creek behind: No more U-Building sunrises, no more mid-morning rants with my two closest friends, no more fifth-period Journalism. The thought of leaving behind all that was safe and familiar terrified me, however I also knew that my “comfort-zone” was no longer serving me and that it was time for a new experience.
The greatest difference between Accel and Silver Creek is the overwhelming sense of community that I feel this program provides. With only sixty students split between the Junior and Senior classes, there is no “blending in,” and the two teachers, Mrs. Drescher and Ms. Leal, get to know each and every student for who they truly are. I had always longed to feel like I was “a part of the team” but I had never quite found my place at Silver Creek with it being large and boisterous school with nearly 2,500 students. Accel classes differ from traditional high school classes in the sense that we spend three consecutive hours with each other day-in and day-out. This unique set-up could prove to be either beneficial or detrimental depending on whether or not you get along with the other students in the program. Generally speaking, students who have chosen to leave their high school in exchange for the independence and challenges that a middle college program provides tend to be more mature, and most will share similar goals of academic success. The students who show up to class everyday do so because they want to learn, and they possess a unique appreciate for the education that they are being provided.
However, this overwhelming desire to learn and excel in college-level courses contributes to what I would refer to as an incredibly pervasive “stress-culture.” Students here will call themselves stupid and then complain about the 1570 that they scored on the SAT all in the same breath. Not a day goes by where I don’t hear about internship applications, college essays, sleepless nights spent studying, and two-thousand dollar ACT test-prep classes. While it is somewhat of a relief to be surrounded by so many dedicated and focused students, I’ve come to recognize and resent the artificialness of it all. It’s clear that a majority of the extra-curricular activities- as mentioned through humble-brags and discussed ad nauseam during lengthy rants- are all done so in an effort to pad future college applications. It’s hard not to feel guilty for setting healthy limits and going to bed at a reasonable hour when everyone else around you is pushing themselves past their breaking point to improve their chances at being accepted into an ultra-competitive university.
The immense amount of freedom that you receive upon entering Accel is another key difference between traditional high school and Middle College. Students at Accel benefit from the ability to choose from a diverse selection of college courses and are able to control the schedule of their own classes. Night-owls thrive as they snooze until noon and then attend the bulk of their classes in the evening, meanwhile early-risers sign up for 8AMs and end their day at 3:30 when high school classes get out of session. My favorite courses so far have been Humanity Heredity, Introductory Neuroscience, and Women in Literature- all of these were incredibly unique and interesting courses that I never would have been able to take if I were to have stayed at Silver Creek. Students who attend Middle College are able to breeze through prerequisites and general education courses while they simultaneously explore their passions by taking niche courses that are not typically offered in most high schools (i.e, Astronomy, Metalsmithing, Yoga, Criminal Justice…)
Moving to Accel has been a life-changing experience that I would not take back for the world. The small and nurturing environment of a Middle College program has allowed me to grow into a more confident and outgoing version of myself that I didn’t even know existed. For the first time in my life, I feel as though my personal relationships with others are thriving and I am able to challenge myself academically in a way that fuels my soul. I wouldn’t recommend Accel to just anyone. This program is intended for students who are not thriving in their current academic situation. If you are content with the rigor of AP classes, and you live for school dances, tie-dye spirit days, and lunchtime club meetings, then traditional high school may be your best bet. However, if your high school experience is anything like mine was, then maybe you’re fed up with the petty drama, relentless troublemakers, and highly structured six-hour school days, and you’re ready to take the leap of faith in yourself and apply to Accel.
The greatest difference between Accel and Silver Creek is the overwhelming sense of community that I feel this program provides. With only sixty students split between the Junior and Senior classes, there is no “blending in,” and the two teachers, Mrs. Drescher and Ms. Leal, get to know each and every student for who they truly are. I had always longed to feel like I was “a part of the team” but I had never quite found my place at Silver Creek with it being large and boisterous school with nearly 2,500 students. Accel classes differ from traditional high school classes in the sense that we spend three consecutive hours with each other day-in and day-out. This unique set-up could prove to be either beneficial or detrimental depending on whether or not you get along with the other students in the program. Generally speaking, students who have chosen to leave their high school in exchange for the independence and challenges that a middle college program provides tend to be more mature, and most will share similar goals of academic success. The students who show up to class everyday do so because they want to learn, and they possess a unique appreciate for the education that they are being provided.
However, this overwhelming desire to learn and excel in college-level courses contributes to what I would refer to as an incredibly pervasive “stress-culture.” Students here will call themselves stupid and then complain about the 1570 that they scored on the SAT all in the same breath. Not a day goes by where I don’t hear about internship applications, college essays, sleepless nights spent studying, and two-thousand dollar ACT test-prep classes. While it is somewhat of a relief to be surrounded by so many dedicated and focused students, I’ve come to recognize and resent the artificialness of it all. It’s clear that a majority of the extra-curricular activities- as mentioned through humble-brags and discussed ad nauseam during lengthy rants- are all done so in an effort to pad future college applications. It’s hard not to feel guilty for setting healthy limits and going to bed at a reasonable hour when everyone else around you is pushing themselves past their breaking point to improve their chances at being accepted into an ultra-competitive university.
The immense amount of freedom that you receive upon entering Accel is another key difference between traditional high school and Middle College. Students at Accel benefit from the ability to choose from a diverse selection of college courses and are able to control the schedule of their own classes. Night-owls thrive as they snooze until noon and then attend the bulk of their classes in the evening, meanwhile early-risers sign up for 8AMs and end their day at 3:30 when high school classes get out of session. My favorite courses so far have been Humanity Heredity, Introductory Neuroscience, and Women in Literature- all of these were incredibly unique and interesting courses that I never would have been able to take if I were to have stayed at Silver Creek. Students who attend Middle College are able to breeze through prerequisites and general education courses while they simultaneously explore their passions by taking niche courses that are not typically offered in most high schools (i.e, Astronomy, Metalsmithing, Yoga, Criminal Justice…)
Moving to Accel has been a life-changing experience that I would not take back for the world. The small and nurturing environment of a Middle College program has allowed me to grow into a more confident and outgoing version of myself that I didn’t even know existed. For the first time in my life, I feel as though my personal relationships with others are thriving and I am able to challenge myself academically in a way that fuels my soul. I wouldn’t recommend Accel to just anyone. This program is intended for students who are not thriving in their current academic situation. If you are content with the rigor of AP classes, and you live for school dances, tie-dye spirit days, and lunchtime club meetings, then traditional high school may be your best bet. However, if your high school experience is anything like mine was, then maybe you’re fed up with the petty drama, relentless troublemakers, and highly structured six-hour school days, and you’re ready to take the leap of faith in yourself and apply to Accel.