• What does it mean to be in an academy?
  • Students in the Green Engineering Academy share classes throughout their four years at LHS. Each graduating class of students becomes a group, or cohort, that begins their freshman year and stays together. All GEA students have the same teachers. The teachers know each student and can provide guidance and support throughout high school.
• What does “Green Engineering” mean?
  • The “green” in engineering means that students develop expertise in basic engineering principles while learning applications for energy, sustainability, and green technologies. Students will be prepared for careers in engineering, architecture, and related technical fields.
• Can students who are not in GEA take engineering courses at LHS?
  • Because GEA is an academy, the engineering courses are available only to students who are part of GEA. (Note: Civil Engineering and Architecture is an exception, as it is offered as an ROP class at LHS and can be taken outside of GEA.) 
• Can I join GEA even if I’m not sure I want to become an engineer?
  • Yes. In GEA, in addition to learning more about engineering, students develop project management and teamwork skills and learn to use software and hardware that can be applied in many other careers.
• Can I take electives in other departments, in addition to the GEA courses?
  • Yes. All GEA students can choose from all of the electives available at Livermore High School to complete their schedule and graduation requirements. Many GEA students take Band, Orchestra, and other electives. And there is plenty of room in your schedule to study languages other than English: Livermore High offers Spanish, French, German, and Latin.
• Can I take Geometry or Algebra II as a freshman? The website says Algebra I with Robotics is the freshman math course.
  • Yes. GEA offers flexibility in math courses, allowing students to study and progress in the courses that best suit their abilities and interests.
• Can I take Advanced Placement (AP) courses?
  • Yes. GEA students can take any AP courses offered at LHS. AP courses in English, Social Science, Math and Science (Chemistry, Physics) can be taken in place of GEA equivalents. 
• I don’t see F.I.T. on the schedule. Do GEA freshmen take F.I.T.?
  • The curriculum taught in the Freshman in Transition (F.I.T.) course is taught to GEA freshmen throughout their freshman academy courses, so GEA students do not need to enroll directly in F.I.T. 
• Is there a GPA requirement to get into GEA? How hard is it to get into the program?
  • All freshmen begin high school with a blank transcript that they can create through course selection, determination, and support. The main factor for being admitted into GEA is your desire to be a part of the program. Students who have an interest in the courses and willingness to learn will be able to join GEA and thrive. 
• Are all of my classes with the same students every day in GEA?
  • Students will have GEA classes together (although there may be more than one section of a particular course, so you probably won’t see the same students in every period), and you will be enrolled in other courses such as your electives and language courses that will include students not in GEA. 
• What if I’m not sure whether I will like GEA? Can I wait and join as a sophomore? Or can I drop out of it?
  • Students are encouraged to join GEA as freshmen so that they can fully benefit from the academy and become part of their cohort. If there is space available, students are able to join GEA after their freshman year. Students who may find that GEA is not a match for their interests are allowed to withdraw.
• What are the advantages of GEA being a California Partnership Grant program?
  • GEA receives funding through the California Partnership Grant that allows us to provide high-tech equipment and to participate in a number of field trips that provide hands-on learning and direct connections with working engineers in their jobs.

If you are interested in joining the Green Engineering Academy, please complete this application. You will be notified of your acceptance within two weeks.  Feel free to email the GEA coordinator, Mrs. Fletcher, at kfletcher@lvjusd.org with any questions. Be sure to look at our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section on this site!