GEA FAQs

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.

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.

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.)

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.

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.

Yes. GEA offers flexibility in math courses, allowing students to study and progress in the courses that best suit their abilities and interests.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.