Pioneer High School is accepting applications for its 28th annual Jaime Escalante Summer Math Academy, giving Whittier middle and high school students a jumpstart on their math classes and preparing them to take on advanced college-level courses. Named after famous Garfield High School calculus teacher Jaime Escalante, the six-week summer program offers students the opportunity to take classes in Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Math Analysis or Calculus. Pre-Algebra is new this year for sixth- and seventh-graders, who can take Algebra in eighth grade and continue advancing while in high school.
Jefferson Middle School students explored a variety of vocational fields, from accountant to aerialist, chef to civil engineer, and fashion designer to firefighter, on March 30 during the school’s annual Career Day. Students enjoyed presentations and hands-on demonstrations from 40 professionals, all of whom are parents, community members, or district staff.
Paramount Unified’s Odyssey STEM Academy – set to open in fall 2018 – solidified a partnership with AltSchool, an education and technology organization that personalizes learning through teacher-built and student-driven platforms. The system will feature lesson plans tailored for individual learners, long- and short-term goal planning and easy access for parents and teachers to communicate.
The California High School Chamber Choir celebrated 15 years of harmonic excellence with a performance at the prestigious California Music Educators Association (CMEA) 2018 All-State Choral Festival in March, part of a busy spring schedule that included an annual community goodwill tour of local nonprofits. Cal High was one of six high schools in the state to be selected to take part in the 2018 All-State Choral Festival, earning a Superior rating from the judges, the highest rating level. The group will next perform with the Los Angeles Master Chorale High School Choir festival at the Walt Disney Concert Hall on Friday, May 18.
Two Lynwood High School seniors are among 30 high school students to receive $40,000 STEM college scholarships from Edison International on March 26. Abieiden Lopez and Lesly Leon will both attend Stanford University in fall.
Paramount High School senior Fernanda Corona is among 30 high school students from across the Southland to receive $40,000 STEM college scholarships from Edison International. Corona, who is co-captain of the school’s cross-country team, plans to pursue biomedical engineering.
Alyssa Liu, a senior at San Gabriel Unified’s Gabrielino High School, was among 30 high school students from across Southern California to receive a $40,000 STEM college scholarship from Edison International during surprise announcements on March 26. She was selected from more than 2,000 applicants.
Rio Hondo College is receiving acclaim for boosting earnings and employment in desired fields for career and technical education (CTE) students who earned certificates or degrees. The Strong Workforce Stars program awarded a Gold Star to the registered nursing program, Silver Star to the automotive technology program and seven Bronze Stars for programs ranging from fitness trainer to accounting.
Dorothy Grant Elementary was named a 2018 California Distinguished School for “making exceptional gains in implementing the academic content and performance standards” that are part of the new California School Dashboard. Grant, which was recently selected by the district to become a Code to the Future school, is among 287 elementary schools in the state to be honored this year.
Rio Hondo College and six other Los Angeles area community colleges will partner with the California College Promise Project to strengthen student support programs that boost graduation rates. The seven colleges will form a Community of Practice within the Los Angeles County Promises That Count initiative, a three-year effort to build on college Promise programs that waive first-year tuition and offer comprehensive programs of support services for new students.
