Transfering can be a difficult experience for many students. This semester at Bishop Gorman, some new students joined our school and are navigating the process of becoming Gaels.
Students transfer to different schools for a variety of reasons.“I chose this school to get a closer relationship with God, and for sports,” said Anton Ramirez ‘28, a new transfer. Bishop Gorman is well suited to students who are interested in pursuing a relationship with God, since it is a Catholic school that encourages religious ideals in the church, and in the classroom, specifically in Ramirez’s favorite class, Sacred Scripture.
One of the reasons transfer students can adjust quickly is due to their involvement in sports and other extracurricular activities. Jonathan Branch ‘27 said he participates in “football and Black Student Union,” and that he has made friends through those organizations. Ramirez mentioned that he also participates in football, as well as playing the violin in orchestra.
While transferring schools is a daunting task for most people to take on, this semester’s new students have had no problem fitting in. When asked about his experience with this, Branch stated, “It’s been easy, very easy.”
The main thing that is a big adjustment for many is the unique technology that Gorman uses. “It’s been a little difficult with the technology, because at my old school it was all paper,” Ramirez recalled.
Wellness Counselor Mrs. Cross, who looks over the transfer process, acknowledges how adjusting can take time, stating “For additional support for them I email.. so that the teachers know that they have a transfer student so don’t just assume they know how to Google Classroom or the IXL because they may have come from a school that doesn’t use that.”
The counseling department also tries to be as supportive as possible. Mrs Cross further states, “We meet with them every month to set up their Naviance account, or connect them with the campus ministry to figure out their service hours.”
While transferring is a unique experience to each student, Luke Basson ‘26, a transfer student from last year, advised the recent transfer students to “take everything step by step; the whole thing is a learning process.”
