Finding Community

Apart from guiding students to explore their own style and identity, Freestyle additionally fosters a close community of equally dedicated classmates who work to bring out the best in one another.

“No one really knows if you’re from Los Altos or Mountain View, and it doesn’t really matter,” Florendo said. “When students come to Freestyle, they are all Freestyle students and in a community of artists passionate about what they do. They come together as this creative group that supports and encourages each other to grow without competition.”

The opportunity to meet new, like-minded people is one that is not taken for granted by its students even in the virtual environment.

“Freestyle is like its own little community,” Reed said. “Not that I get tired of the community at LAHS, but I think it’s also really cool to meet so many new people. It’s just an interesting experience that I’m very grateful for because I know little to no other districts offer the same educational opportunity.”

This sense of community created in Freestyle is carried into the rest of the students’ lives and isn’t quickly forgotten when they graduate.

“A great many graduates keep in touch with us, return to visit and share their experiences in college and the working world,” English teacher Jason Greco said. “I think our tight-knit community is the very reason for that. Students often find an identity and sincere acceptance here. For some, Freestyle is and always will be a kind of sanctuary.”