Prepa Tec Los Ángeles is a high school that seeks to create an enriching environment where each student is valued for their abilities, talents and learning styles. In addition, the institution aims to promote the academic and personal growth of each of its students.
It is currently one of the few schools in the Southeast Los Angeles area that offers the structure of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) for students in grades 6-8, a very valuable opportunity for students.
Prepa Tec Los Ángeles was founded in 2013 and currently has 345 students. It is part of the Alta Public Schools network, which focuses on the International Baccalaureate and includes the Academia Moderna elementary school.
Global Education
The school’s vision is to create a center of higher education in Southeast Los Angeles where students learn to exceed expectations, be self-aware, aware of others, responsible, curious, prepared, passionate, inspired, engaged, independent, and love to have fun.
“All of our students have access to global perspectives and worldview opportunities to connect with other school sites to complete community service projects,” explained Amber Clark, the school’s director.
The core concepts of the MYP include: intercultural awareness, holistic learning and communication.
Clark added that the same concepts are taught around the world and prepare students for college and careers.
According to the IB website, the MYP aims to develop active learners and internationally-minded young people who can empathize with others and lead lives of purpose and meaning.
The program enables students to investigate a wide range of issues and ideas of local, national and global significance resulting in creative, critical and reflective young thinkers.
In IB research, they found that engaged students can develop confidence in managing their own learning, learning by doing, connecting the classroom to the outside world, outperform non-IB students in critical academic skills, thrive in positive school cultures where they are engaged and motivated to excel, and can also develop an understanding of global challenges and a commitment to acting as responsible citizens.
In addition to the focus on the International Baccalaureate, Prepa Tec Los Angeles also offers an enrichment workshop called the Extended Learning Program (EXL) that is provided before and after school at no cost.
They also provide children with opportunities to participate in activities that benefit them socially, emotionally, and physically.
The program includes homework time, learning activities, snacks and recreation.
Activities are led and planned by staff trained to meet the needs of children and serve as positive adult role models.
EXL includes various forms of sports enrichment with disciplines such as soccer, dance, basketball, American football, eSports and more.
Additionally, the program offers unique experiences such as field trips where students have had the opportunity to connect with institutions such as the MLS team, LA Galaxy and the University of California, Los Angeles.
“The program gives students a lot of opportunities not only during the school year but also during the summer where there are various field trips and students are exposed to different things and experiences,” explained Janeth Orozco-Brown, assistant principal of the school.
Prepa Tec Los Angeles welcomes and encourages collaborative efforts with students, parents, community, teachers and staff.
Orozco-Brown added that one of the school’s goals is to increase parent involvement because they know that parents are an important part of students’ lives and so that everyone can work together to help students succeed.
Parent involvement, as well as encouraging conversations with the child at home, will greatly increase student academic performance.
Many parents become involved in the school through various school activities such as volunteering in classrooms, during breaks, special events, and community projects.
Modern Academy
As the school is connected to Academia Moderna Elementary, elementary students are invited to visit the high school to learn about the building, the teachers, and to become familiar with the next step in their academic career.
According to Clark, the two schools are connected by their focus on the International Baccalaureate, which is good for students to know what the next step in the curriculum is.