Avondale Academy student excelling in Early College program

Avondale Academy senior Jordan Taylor is looking forward to the month of June when the demands of attending high school and college at the same time come to an end. Currently, Jordan maintains a 3.75 GPA at the Academy while attending the Accelerated College Experience (ACE) Early College Program at Oakland Community College where she has been named to the Dean’s Honor Roll every semester since she first enrolled. In June she will graduate, having earned her Avondale School District diploma along with her Associate Degree from Oakland Community College.

“It is tough work,” Jordan said about attending both programs at the same time, “but you just have to keep going. You have to think of the dreams you want to achieve.”

For Jordan, that dream is to be a clinical psychologist and art therapist – a perfect fit for someone who enjoys helping people and volunteering as Jordan does. She is a student leader at the Academy and contributes to the positive school environment by leading by example and tutoring and mentoring her fellow classmates. As a member of Leaders of the Future Community Service Group of Teens she helped organize several community outreach events this school year including a special luncheon honoring area veterans. In addition to her studies and volunteering in the community, Jordan also helps out at home with her mother and grandmother who are experiencing health issues. “They have always been there for me so I want to be there for them,” she said.

Avondale Academy Principal, Taylor Chapman is proud of Jordan’s accomplishments and happy that someone so deserving is moving closer to her goals. “She is just an all-around good person,” he said, “she’s capable and hard-working, caring, and gives back to her community. It’s nice to see her get closer to achieving her dreams.” He also commended her for seizing the Early College opportunity, “she is going to be ahead of her peers because she made that choice.”

Jordan plans to transfer to a four-year university to continue her studies. Though she worries about affording college and keeping up with the pace, she is optimistic that she will finish what she started. She offers some advice to others who may follow along her path: “don’t give up! Think of your dream and pick yourself up when it gets hard and remember there are people who will help you if you need it”.