Harbor Prep Academy
Stefanie Sessina
Posted in: News on 4/3/09 at 7:56 AM PST
Did you know that future teachers, civil engineers and veterinarians are here at Harbor Teacher Preparatory Academy? After completing middle school, students have the opportunity to attend high school on the Los Angeles Harbor College campus and earn their high school diploma along with an Associate of Arts degree by age 18. Students who successfully complete the requirements for a high school diploma and an AA degree qualify for a five-semester program at California State University, Dominguez Hills that could lead to a bachelor's degree and teaching credential. The LAUSD, Harbor College and Cal State campuses joined forces to establish the model for the academy with the hopes of creating a new generation of elementary school teachers. According to vladovic.blogspot.com, in September, HTPA was named a prestigious 2008m No Child Left Behind [NCLB] Blue Ribbon School by the US Department of Education for outstanding student achievement. The program is the brainchild of Dr. Richard Vladovic, a board member of the Los Angeles Unified School District, "We had a dream of success that we know would come true," Dr. Vladovic said, "Harbor Teacher Prep is that dream come true."
HTPA has a low dropout rate. In 2008, 45 students graduated with 11 accepted to UCLA, 67 students are set to graduate on June 19th, 2009. Some students qualify for free or reduced lunch. Carlos, aged 17 started at HTPA at age 14 from Westside Leadership Magnet School. He is a senior with straight A's who plans to attend either UCLA or USCC to become a civil engineer. He likes HTPA because it's small and the students have liberty. Veronica, aged 17 also started at HTPA at age 14 from Wilmington Middle School. She plans to transfer to UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. She likes HTPA because everybody gets along, they have a good relationship with teachers and it is a safe environment; "Dr. Vladovic worked feverishly to see this come to fruition." Says Ernie Green part time Dean of Students for students at HTPA. Green, 71 worked for Los Angeles Unified School District for 37 years before retiring in 2000. At the request of her friend Mattie Adams, who is the principal at HTPA, she returned to teaching three years ago.
HTPA has a low dropout rate. In 2008, 45 students graduated with 11 accepted to UCLA, 67 students are set to graduate on June 19th, 2009. Some students qualify for free or reduced lunch. Carlos, aged 17 started at HTPA at age 14 from Westside Leadership Magnet School. He is a senior with straight A's who plans to attend either UCLA or USCC to become a civil engineer. He likes HTPA because it's small and the students have liberty. Veronica, aged 17 also started at HTPA at age 14 from Wilmington Middle School. She plans to transfer to UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. She likes HTPA because everybody gets along, they have a good relationship with teachers and it is a safe environment; "Dr. Vladovic worked feverishly to see this come to fruition." Says Ernie Green part time Dean of Students for students at HTPA. Green, 71 worked for Los Angeles Unified School District for 37 years before retiring in 2000. At the request of her friend Mattie Adams, who is the principal at HTPA, she returned to teaching three years ago.
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