MONROVIA – Monrovia High School welcomed about 400 Monrovia Unified eighth-graders and 600 parents in the school’s Event Center on March 7 for the District’s inaugural eighth-grade showcase, where future freshmen learned about the myriad opportunities awaiting them in August.

“It is very exciting to see our incoming freshmen gathered at the school they will be attending in the next few months,” Monrovia Unified Board Vice President Terrence Williams said. “I hope this event sheds a bit of light upon all the amazing programs and opportunities that will prepare our students for the classes and careers they have already chosen to pursue.”

Throughout the night, students and their parents learned about the high school’s diverse programs such as robotics, AVID, Renaissance leadership, drama, band, cheer and more.

The event also highlighted Monrovia High’s four major programs, three of which will be new to the school next year. The Math and Science Academy (MASA) has immersed students in STEM fields for nine years, while the Humanities Academy, IT Academy and Early College program are additions for the Class of 2020.

Students who are accepted into MASA and the Humanities Academy take courses related to their career interests and graduate with MASA and Humanities Academy chords and diploma seals.

“I hope this will be a valuable experience for our District’s eighth-graders and will help them determine ahead of time what programs they may want to seek out,” Monrovia High Principal Kirk McGinnis said. “It is really exciting for us to host our District’s first showcase – I know this event will continue for years to come.”

The IT Academy allows students to pursue a career technical education pathway that immerses them in computer science, design, programming and more. The Early College program offers qualified students the chance to earn college credit through dual-enrollment courses on the high school campus through Citrus College. Students from these programs also graduate with program-specific chords and diploma seals.