Long Beach Poly High School

www.lbusd.k12.ca.us/poly/

Enrollment 4,600, 56% African/American, 30% Latino, 15% Asian-Pacific Islander;  27% took AP exams, SAT9 Reading 46%, API 667, Statewide Rank 6, Similar schools rank 8, LEP 32%

• Very strong improvement in overall student results in past decade
• Converted in phases gradually from about 1988 – 1996 – with a final major push at the end
• Reform was teacher-driven, but also included strong leadership and energy from the principal
• Six academies and two magnets – Beach (math and science), Business and Technology, Arts, Communications, Intensive Studies  - Special Ed., English Language development, Pac Rim (CA Partnership Academy) Center for International Commerce (magnet), and PACE (gifted magnet)
• All SLCs are designed for college preparation
• Block scheduling
• All students enrolled from 9-12 in one of the SLCs
• Estimated 90% stay in original SLC – few transfer
• Each SLC has own administrator and counselor(s)
• Large SLCs ranges from 60—750 students
• Still have subject area departments
• Academy classes are not separated - physically integrated