Mikaela Casias

Eighth grader Grace Chow was one of the many shadow students at SCHS.

For many incoming eighth graders, SCHS’s shadow program provides students with the opportunity to experience high school firsthand. The program aligns visiting middle schoolers with current students, giving them a chance to see what classes and teachers are like, as well as insight on the high school campus experience.

Vice Principal Tony Lam shared that shadowing is an experience all students who are interested can participate in to gain a better expectation of high school.

“I think it’s a great, wonderful opportunity for people – students – to come and see what it’s like to be in a day and life of a freshman student. Anyone who wants to shadow, we give them the opportunity to shadow,” Lam said. “I try to match their interests with the interests of our students.”

Lam believes shadowing helps remove worries and provide answers to questions parents may have.

“They (parents) just wanted to see if this is a good fit for them (their students),” Lam said. “Some of these families, coming in from a private school where it’s a smaller environment, it feels different. Coming to Santa Clara High School, a public comprehensive high school, it could be one of those unknowns.”

Eighth grade shadow student Ariel Menahem described witnessing many differences in the social life of a larger public school compared to Action Day, her private middle school.

“There are only 32 people in my entire grade. There’s a lot of forced friendships, and I feel like here you can make your own friends,” Menahem said. “You can meet people you actually want to be with.”

Freshman Isabelle Lawless highlighted her perspective of being shadowed. She was surprised when discovering she was going to be shadowed.

“When I got chosen, I was in shock because I didn’t really know why they picked me, but I didn’t mind. I later found out I got chosen because (my shadow student) liked some of the classes I had. They basically match up your schedules,” Lawless said.

Eighth grader shadow student Grace Chow, who currently attends a private school, Monticello Academy, shared many observations she noticed throughout her shadow day.

“I think the teachers all really care about the student’s education. I enjoy shadowing. I think it’s really fun learning more about Santa Clara High,” Chow said. “It is a bit of an adjustment to get used to a school this big. It’s so many classes, and I’m used to doing four or six classes, not a million.”

Lawless revealed that having a shadow student made her feel pressured to ensure her shadow, Lydia Boyd, had a great experience.

“I kept participating and raised my hand in geometry. I would talk to my shadow student every now and make sure she was enjoying school so far,” Lawless said. “Overall, I think she said the school wasn’t too bad. I would definitely want to show someone around again. It was fun.”

After a day of shadowing, Menahem noted the day had a positive impression on her.

“Being with my shadow – walking around, her showing me around and spilling the tea – made it fun,” Menahem said. “I would rate it a nine because it was really fun and nice. Everyone was very welcoming. I made a lot of new friends, and I met people I’ll see next year at school.”

For shadow students and their hosts, experiencing a school day together can vary and leave individuals with differing impressions. Despite the multiple perspectives, most feel the student shadow program helps potential SCHS students make more accurate and confident decisions about their future education path.

“It’s one of those experiences where they have to take time and reflect back on what they saw and what stood out for them,” Lam said. “Ultimately, we want people to choose to come here because of who we are, not who we try to be or pretend to be, and we’re a pretty darn good school.”