Everything about the modern space, programs, and experienced staff emphasizes that going to college, and graduating college, is possible. Students receive individualized support and 98% of graduates enroll in college. Here are some highlights:
• College Counselors meet individually with over 500 juniors and seniors on a regular basis.
• Counseling workshops are open to all students and parents, and range from "College 101" to the "High School to College Transition." Juniors attend a workshop on resume building, college searches, and an introduction to Naviance (POLAHS’ subscription offers students a free online platform for college prep and career readiness). Focus sessions include essay writing and interview skills.
• “Financial Aid Night” at POLAHS covers fundamentals for 12th graders and families, and includes a form completion workshop in cooperation with Cal Grant.
• Annual field trip to the LA Cash for College “College and Career Convention."
• Counselors provide scholarship research and application assistance for college and local community scholarships, as well as full-tuition programs like Questbridge and Posse Foundation.
• Over 15 college representatives hold open meetings at POLAHS to introduce students to schools and programs.
• Overnight trips and day field trips to colleges and universities throughout CA.
• At POLAHS’ annual “Alumni Forum,” over 25 graduates come back to campus and speak with 12th graders about their college experiences. Sessions are moderated by POLAHS teachers. In fall 2015, alum presented from schools such as Yale; Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); University of Notre Dame; UC Irvine; UC Santa Barbara; Cal Maritime Academy; University of Virginia; and UC Davis.
• At POLAHS’ first annual “Faculty/Staff Forum,” all classrooms and offices were open to POLAHS students, as they spent the afternoon interviewing teachers and staff about colleges attended and degrees completed!
• San Pedro Boys & Girls Club staff person hired to assist POLAHS College Counselors on campus.
• Career Counselor will be hired at POLAHS beginning fall 2016.
