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For ninth-grader Olive Cheung, J-Term began with modest expectations. “I wasn’t really looking forward to it,” she admitted. “It just sounded like normal school to me.” What Olive didn’t expect was how quickly the experience would shift her perspective—academically, socially, and personally. By the end of J-Term, she found herself reflecting not just on what she had learned, but on how the format allowed her to grow in confidence, self-awareness, and community.

Fremont Christian School J-Term Classes: Exploring New Interests

During Fremont Christian School’s J-Term, students pause their regular schedules for the opportunity to participate in an internship, volunteering abroad, or—as in Olive’s case—taking two elective classes and going on a retreat. For her electives, Olive selected crocheting for her morning class and personal finance in the afternoon—two subjects she hadn’t expected to pair together.

“Crochet was actually really fun,” she said. “It was relaxing, and it felt nice to just let go and not worry about homework for once.” Olive ultimately decided to try something different and pivoted to creating a crocheted octopus, embracing the freedom to adjust her approach without pressure. That flexibility, she noted, made the class feel less like an assignment and more like a creative outlet.

Her finance class proved equally impactful, though in a very different way. “I was kind of glad I got placed in financing,” Olive said. “It’s something actually useful that I can apply in the future.” The course focused on practical skills like insurance, investing, and long-term financial planning, taught through hands-on activities rather than lectures. “We even did an investing simulator,” she explained, which helped make abstract concepts feel tangible and approachable.

One of the most meaningful takeaways from Olive’s finance class was learning how personality influences financial decisions. Students explored different spending styles—saver, spender, planner, and risk-taker—and reflected on their own habits. “I learned that I’m a saver and a planner,” Olive said. “But we also talked about how taking risks can be good if you know what you’re doing.” That insight shifted her thinking. “After learning more about investing, I think I’m more of a risk-taker now,” she added.

J-Term Retreat at Mission Springs: Building Confidence and Community

Beyond the classroom, Olive described the J-Term retreat at Mission Springs as one of the most meaningful parts of the experience. The retreat brought students from different grade levels together for several days of activities, worship, and shared living. Olive roomed with sophomores and upperclassmen—an experience that initially made her nervous. “As a freshman, I’m really self-conscious,” she said. “I was kind of scared of upperclassmen.” By the end of the retreat, that fear had faded. “They were a lot nicer and easier to talk to than I expected.”

The packed schedule turned out to be a strength rather than a drawback, with students spending time playing games, talking, and enjoying the outdoors. “I felt like a kid again,” Olive said. “We were playing board games and being outside instead of just looking at our phones.”

As her class president, Olive noticed a change in herself during the retreat. “For the first time all year, I was able to get everyone in my class to participate and cooperate,” she said. That moment stood out as a personal milestone, reinforcing lessons about leadership, communication, and confidence.

The experience also gave Olive space to reflect on balance. “Schoolwork is important,” she said, “but it’s also important to take care of your mental health, make time for God, and enjoy your hobbies.” That understanding, she noted, is something she plans to carry forward—not just into her classes, but into life beyond school.

When asked what advice she’d give to future freshmen, Olive didn’t hesitate: “Don’t be scared to talk to new people or room with upperclassmen. And don’t be shy about trying activities—even if you mess up. You’re not the only one feeling insecure. It’s okay to express yourself more and learn who you are.”