Be Someone. Seek Excellence. Go Somewhere.
Incoming Freshmen
A Tradition of Excellence
WELCOME GRIFFINS!
We are honored to be part of your academic journey and invite you to consider joining our tradition of:
- Being Someone: developing your confidence and leadership.
- Going Somewhere: establishing connections to the greater community and globally while modeling the qualities of strong character; and
- Seeking Excellence: acquiring the abilities, skills and knowledge required for the lifelong pursuit of ongoing academic, occupational and personal growth.
This freshmen hub is the virtual version of our New Student Orientation, the Griffin Greet, our annual introduction to our campus. We hope this fun and informative freshmen hub will help ensure a smooth transition from middle school to early college!
What Makes GECA Great
AcaPrep
AcaPrep
AcaPrep is an elective class for all GECA students that helps students set and achieve life goals, and helps prepare students for success in four-year colleges. AcaPrep is meant to support students in their academic subject areas by introducing and practicing certain strategies, test-taking skills, organization and study skills that are proven successful for college bound students. Learn more about AcaPrep at GECA.
FastTrak to College
FastTrak to College
In four years, you could graduate from GECA with a high school diploma, and possibly an Associates degree from Gavilan College (AS/AA). That means you could enter the college or university of your choice with your first two years fully or nearly completed. There is no tuition requirement at GECA and all books and materials required for college classes are provided by the school. Learn more about early college education at GECA.
GECA ASB
GECA Student Leaders
Student leaders are elected by their peers to serve on ASB, which is charged with governing student clubs, planning school social events, and fundraising. ASB members consist of class officers, overall ASB officers, digital media coordinators and board representatives and promote unification of people, ideas and values through effective communication and student empowerment.
Honor Tribunal
Honor Tribunal
The Honor Tribunal is composed of 11 GECA students who serve as a restorative justice circle and the hearing body for students who may have violated the honor code. The Honor Tribunal makes recommendations to the school principal in student disciplinary matters. Learn more about GECA's Honor Tribunal.
GUSD Band Partnership
GUSD Band Partnership
GUSD and GECA have a partnership allowing GECA students to participate in marching band, jazz band and/or color guard. The GUSD marching band and color guard perform at football games and participate in band competitions at other schools for awards and trophies. The band is one big family, and GECA students are invited to join and express their musical talents and dance abilities through this partnership. Applications are available in the GECA front office.
School Activities
School Activities
GECA offers a wide array of activities for students incuding: school-wide and grade-level field trips, lunchtime activities, school dances, the talent show, and junior/senior prom. GECA has 14 school clubs ranging from Debate Club, Yearbook, SAGA, Pre-Med, to World Cultures and Interact and provides different local leadership and community engagement opportunities throughout the year, such as Quizbowl competitions, Youth Commission opportunities, and tutoring events!
Preparing for High School
Dates to remember
GECA: Middle School visits
OCTOBER 2024
GUSD MIDDLE
SCHOOL VISITS
Solorsano: Oct. 2
Brownell: Oct. 3
South Valley: Oct. 7
Gilroy Prep: Oct. 10
GECA: Recruitment Night
OCT. 10, 2024
GECA VIRTUAL
RECRUITMENT NIGHT
For prospective applicants and families. Click here to join us from 6-7:30 p.m. on Zoom.
GECA: Application period opens
OCT. 11, 2024
APPLICATION PERIOD
OPENS
Hello Class of 2029! Go to the GECA application portal to get started.
GECA: Application Workshops
NOVEMBER 2024
APPLICATION WORKSHOPS
- Applicants from ASMS/BMS/SVMS: Contact your counselors to sign up for the workshop at your school in early November.
- Applicants from GPS/outside GUSD: Workshop will be on Zoom at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12. Click here to join the event.
GECA: Application deadline
DEC. 2, 2024 at 11:59 PM
APPLICATION DEADLINE
FOR INCOMING FRESHMEN
GECA: Teacher Recommendations due
DEC. 6, 2024
DEADLINE FOR 7TH OR 8TH GRADE TEACHER
RECOMMENDATIONS, RECORDS FROM REGISTRARS
Teachers can submit recommendations and registrars can submit records through SMApply until 11:59 p.m.
GECA: PreACT Exam
DEC. 10, 2024
APPLICANTS TAKE
PreACT 8/9 Exam
PreACT 8/9 exam at 1 p.m. at GECA. Details to follow.
GECA: Applicant Interviews
FEB. 1, 2025
APPLICANT INTERVIEWS
In person at GECA. More information to follow.
GECA: Admissions Notifications 2.28.25
FEB. 28, 2025
NOTIFICATION OF
ADMISSION DECISIONS
Notifications will be sent via email after 4:30 p.m.
GECA: Commitment deadline 3.11.25
MAR. 11, 2025 at 11:59 PM
COMMITMENT
DEADLINE
Call or email to accept your admissions invitation.
GECA: Griffin Greet 3.27.25
MAR. 27, 2025
GRIFFIN
GREET
Your GECA journey begins here! Meet other incoming freshman at a mandatory orientation at GECA from 6-8 p.m.
GECA: Register with Gavilan College 3.31.25
MAR. 31, 2025
DEADLINE TO COMPLETE
GAVILAN COLLEGE APPLICATION
Complete Gavilan College application as part of the GECA enrollment process.
GECA: Interdistrict Transfers
MAR. 31, 2025
DEADLINE FOR STUDENTS NEW TO GUSD TO SUBMIT
INTERDISTRICT TRANSFER PAPERWORK
If your student is joining the Class of 2029 and you do not live within GUSD's attendance boundaries, you must complete the interdistrict transfer application as part of the enrollment process.
Contact Us
Meet the GECA front office and leadership team, who will be valuable resources during your time as a Griffin. Contact them directly with any questions as you begin your journey.
Ana Benich
Principal
ana.benich@gilroyunified.org
Liliana Montero
Counselor
liliana.montero-barba@gilroyunified.org
OFFICE STAFF
Melissa Avila-Carroll
Administrative Assistant
melissa.avila-carroll@gilroyunified.org
Rebecca Plaza
Secretary/Attendance
rebecca.plaza@gilroyunified.org
