Though most CHS students enter the school in ninth grade for a four- year journey, that’s not the only way to get a diploma from the MCVSD academy.

The Design Academy program provides an opportunity for art-minded students to join CHS during their junior year, but some face adjustments as they make the transition from their respective hometown schools to CHS.

Senior Kacey Cielecki of Spring Lake Heights, who applied freshman year but joined the Design Academy in her junior year, said she faced difficulties adjusting to the curriculum at CHS.

“Math was hard, because they made me learn different math subjects. We didn’t cover some things in my other school, so it was difficult,” she said.

Senior Ivette Rafael of West Long Branch faced similar changes transitioning from her home school, Shore Regional.

“It took some time to get used to because of the different teaching styles I was used to,” Rafael said.

Junior Noah Lipton of Ocean, who said he joined Design Academy due to the lack of art options at his hometown school, also faced challenges adjusting to the school’s overall attitude.

“I had to get used to the amount of people. There wasn’t as much joking or interruptions during class,” he said.

For Design Academy students such as Rafael, joining a class that has already been together for two years can also present social challenges.

“Initially, I was more close to other Design Academy students because I had more classes with them. More towards the second half, I was able to become friends with more people,” she said.

Cielecki said the transition was facilitated by current CHS students from her hometown.

“I knew Jess [Cooney] so it was easy to come in, because she introduced me to all of her friends. But I still hang out with my old friends,” she said.

Lipton also experienced a similar assimilation to the school’s social atmosphere.

“Fortunately these guys took me in. The people here are nice,” he said.