What Are You Curious About? Exploratory Pathways at IVA High

At our small tuition-free high school, instead of asking 9th graders “What is your career choice?” we ask “What are you curious about?” We believe high school should be a time to explore what students want for their future. How do you know what career you want if you haven’t had an opportunity to learn about the options? We help students design an educational pathway that opens doors to new possibilities, inviting everyone to discover new passions and earn college credit while they’re at it. 

From engineering and arts to paid internships, we provide access to opportunities that expand horizons. Through our College and Career Access Pathways (CCAP) dual-enrollment partnership with Long Beach City College (LBCC), 9th-12th graders can take tuition-free courses that earn college credit. The course offerings are diverse and interesting – students can explore trades like automotive and construction, or fields like creative design, business, and child development.

Students can request Individual Dual Enrollment (IDE) to choose their own courses and/or enroll in our pathway partnership courses (CCAP). In either program, IVA High pays for the tuition, fees, and materials. 

The CCAP partnership is designed for IVA High students to earn transferable Cal-GETC and/or College Technical Education (CTE), gaining valuable skills and saving both time and money on their college journey in a supportive and accessible environment. IVA High offers 12 units a year taught by a college professor on IVA High’s campus! These courses are also CSU and/or UC approved for transfer. Students who enroll and pass college courses also qualify for paid internships. In addition, students who complete 30 units of dual enrollment college credit by graduation are eligible to transfer to a University in California!

One third of IVA High students have taken at least one college course and about half of these students have taken two or more courses. In addition, our students have a 96% pass rate, compared to a 56% pass rate of other high school students.

At IVA High, we encourage our students to explore multiple opportunities to find the career or college pathways that are right for them. We think high school is a time to learn about passions, not to be pigeon-holed into one career path. We prepare students for college and career by enrolling them into transferable college classes and Career Technical Education programs. We also provide a supportive environment where everyone can thrive.

Our teachers and counselors support students as they explore, all while helping to develop the skills needed to succeed. With dual enrollment, students experience college life in a supportive environment. IVA High staff partners with LBCC's Early College Initiative coordinators to provide comprehensive support for our students. Enrolled students are supported by a credentialed teacher liaison who partners with the college professor to ensure depth of understanding. Students also meet weekly with LBCC interns and a Career Pathways Coordinator to track academic progress, answer questions, and connect to college resources. LBCC coordinators link IVA students to college counselors who support the navigation of library resources, scholarship workshops, Disabled Students Programs and Services, and post-high school guidance.

Students love our exploratory pathways because it takes the pressure off of having their future figured out by 9th grade. Families have peace of mind knowing their student is exploring options now, rather than being locked into one pathway now, then spending tuition money to figure it out later. IVA High students exit high school prepared to pursue their passions in the college of their choice.

If you can’t explore your options in high school, when can you? We love helping high school students find their way and go forward into the world with a passion to live life well – on their terms. We’re currently enrolling for Fall 2025 - what are you waiting for? 

About IVA High

IVA High is a fully accredited, tuition-free public high school in Long Beach, California with a mission to empower students to think well: creatively, critically, and with a capacity for self-growth. Our learner-centered approach puts students in charge of their education, while dual enrollment and paid internships transform learning into action. Students come for college prep, STEAM and exploratory pathways for their future; they stay for smaller, safer learning in a vibrant, caring community. Get to know us on social media @ivahigh and on the web at www.ivahigh.org. 

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