Dr. TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy, or GECA, is an early college high school located in Gilroy, California, at the southern edge of Silicon Valley. Founded in 2007 by Michael Hall, with a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, GECA ranks among the top 10 high schools in California and is the best performing early college school in the state.HistoryDr. TJ Owens, GECA's namesake, was the former Dean of Students at Gavilan College and president of the Gilroy Unified School Board. He was a father of five and an active member of the national organization 100 Black Men of America, as well as Bethany Church in Gilroy. Owens championed civil rights and was a key figure in GECA's inception, but died of a stroke two years before it was established.GECA received a startup grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and is now solely funded by the state.MissionThe mission of the Dr. TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy at Gavilan College is to provide a highly supportive and academically challenging learning environment for high school students with high potential for future academic and career success. Parental involvement in the school is required, and all books, materials, and Gavilan fees are paid for by the school.DemographicsGender and ethnicity2013–2014 236 students: 114 Male, 122 Female AcademicsApproximately 90 percent of the class of 2011 graduated and entered a four-year university or continued their education at Gavilan with the intention to transfer to one.
