New SJ school to bridge achievement gap

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- A new charter school opened in San Jose Wednesday to help close the achievement gap.

Fuerza Community Prep is the ninth Rocketship charter school to open in San Jose. This one came after parents in the community pushed to bring it here.

These kids may not realize it, but they won the lottery. They don't get any money. Instead they are among 465 students chosen to attend the latest Rocketship charter school in east San Jose.

"From my personal experience I see that it's not just a high quality education but motivational and they also encourage to do the best they can," said parent Lety Gomez.

Wednesday was the official ribbon cutting ceremony. The site of Fuerza Community Prep was formerly an old post office building on South Jackson Avenue near Alum Rock Avenue.

The system boasts of many accomplishments including major advancements for students in reading and math.

The students have two teachers. One for humanities and the other for math and science.

They also work in the learning lab where they're simultaneously doing class work and being assessed.

All of this is to help accomplish the main goal: to make going to college a reality. Something that's obvious by the decorations on campus and the encouragement in the classrooms.

"At Stanford actually, had a panel with our parents. Get them understand what was college. How hard it is, how expensive it is and like what it requires for you to attend college," said Principal Marciela Guerrero.

Student Adam Valenzuela was asked if he is going to college and where. He replied, "Um Stanford, because it's fun there."

In this first year, Fuerza will teach students from transitional kindergarten to fourth grade. Next year it will expand to include 5th grade.