Due to a lack of students enrolled and the threat of a lost state grant, the ArtsTECH California Partnership Academy (CPA) at UC High officially closed its doors at the end of last school year. 

   “Basically it was a drop in student interest, meaning we didn’t get enough applications,” ArtsTECH English Teacher Aaron Pores explained. “It had been declining for the past couple of years, [and] it’s been harder and harder for us to recruit students to sign up for it,” he continued.

   Senior Jalisa Morrow said that neither the program director nor the ArtsTech teachers alerted the students enrolled in the program about the enrollment issues until it had already been decided that the program would close. “I feel like we were sabotaged, because we were unable to get the word out that there weren’t enough people who signed up,” Morrow explained. 

   The annual presentation about the program wasn’t given to the rising sophomores until they had already chosen their classes. ArtsTech English Teacher Susan Bristol said, “Articulation was moved to an earlier date, and the presentation had already been scheduled for after that date, so there was nothing we could do about that. But I think we could have run a recruitment campaign if we really wanted to save the program. It just didn’t happen.”

     Last year’s Junior ArtsTECH class was able to stay together for their English and Digital Media class this year. “I think Mr. Liber is a great fit for the class. He’s very enthusiastic and excited about not just doing the work but also teaching us the work,” said Senior Kyle Quesenberry. 

   “I think it’s sad that it ended, because we lost an opportunity to do what we love doing and what we are interested in, and ArtsTECH always brightened my day.” stated Senior Luxa Nitunga.   

   “I feel like people are sad because ArtsTECH wasn’t just classes, and it wasn’t just a campus on campus. It was more of a family, and it took people who didn’t fit in other places and forced them to get to know each other,” said Quesenberry.

   Students in the program took three classes together everyday, which included their English and History courses as well as the Art course for that year. “Students recently have wanted to be able to tailor their schedules a little bit more,” Pores remarked, “All of the specialized elective classes are having a hard time filling their seats, because there are so many options.”

   The California Department of Education (CDE) explains on their website, “CPAs exemplify the career academy model for preparing high school students to succeed in both college and careers” (cde.ca.gov). A major goal of CPAs across the state is to help students be prepared for college or a career that they are interested in after high school. 

   “We still do have great programs at our school, like ceramics and Mrs. Martin’s art classes. So I think we’ll still make great art at our school, it just won’t have the same culture and foundation that ArtsTECH gave it,” explained Quesenberry. 

   “I think the future for art at our school should be okay. We have really good teachers who are legitimately passionate about art,” said Senior Carissa Young.