High School Choice

In Long Beach, middle school families have many choices for what high schools they can apply. These choices include almost 40 LBUSD school options, private schools, and one charter school, Intellectual Virtues Academy High School. It takes both knowledge and attention to make the appropriate choice for your child and we want to partner with our IVA families in making this decision. In this webpage we offer more information about IVA High and LBUSD options. 

Intellectual Virtues Academy High School

IVA High was established to extend the middle school’s award-winning intellectual virtues model to high school students. IVA High is a fully accredited, tuition-free public high school with a mission to empower students to think well: creatively, critically, and with a capacity for self-growth. 

Through project-based learning, IVA High’s learner-centered approach puts students in charge of their education and transforms learning into action. Students are equipped to explore real-life issues to develop the skills to prepare them for our rapidly changing world. 

  • IVA High’s AXS: Advanced and Accelerated Studies program offers rigorous college preparatory classes through Advanced Placement and Honors courses. 
  • Eligible students can participate in our thriving dual enrollment partnership with LBCC. IVA High School offers college level courses on our campus taught by professors from Long Beach City College.
  • Students have access to employment opportunities through paid internships with community partners.

Diverse course offerings include Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Science and Engineering (STEAM), Advanced Placement/Honors, college prep, and a robust selection of electives and clubs. Students at IVA High co-create their high school experience alongside dedicated staff and find a place to connect, contribute and belong in a vibrant and caring community. 

You are invited to learn more and experience the high school firsthand through a school tour and shadow days. Contact the team at IVA High or visit the website to learn more. When you are ready to join the IVA High community, fill out the enrollment information form and a member of the IVA High team will follow up with an enrollment application. For any questions, please call 562.283.4456. 

Curious Minds. Empowered Community.

 

LBUSD

Options

IVA works closely with LBUSD to support the transition of our 8th graders to through the High School Choice Process. IVA students have the same opportunity for admissions to all LBUSD schools as any other student within the LBUSD. Below is helpful information to consider when choosing a high school. If you have any further questions about the 8th grade transition to high school, please contact the High School Choice Helpline at (562) 997-8306.

Comprehensive High Schools vs. Small Thematic High Schools 
There are 11 schools to choose from within LBUSD: six comprehensive high schools (Cabrillo, Jordan, Lakewood, Millikan, Poly, and Wilson) and five small, thematic high schools (CAMS, McBride, Renaissance, Sato, Browning). Comprehensive high schools typically have a large student population (2,500-4,000 students), offer a wide variety of classes, athletic team programs, and specialized/traditional small learning communities. Attendance boundaries also allow for residential priority, meaning students who apply to schools outside their neighborhood would be put further down the list for admission. Small thematic high schools tend to have smaller student populations (400-1,200 students), offer a limited menu of class options, and limited or no athletic team opportunities. Though this may be the case, there are no attendance boundaries, meaning students who live outside of the region can apply with no priority given to neighborhood families. We strongly encourage our 8th grade families to research thoroughly the right high school for your student. 

Pathway Programs
All students in LBUSD High Schools belong to a pathway. All comprehensive high schools have pathways that have no criteria and give priority to residential students and pathways that require minimum criteria for acceptance in which most do not give priority to residential students (i.e., Secondary Specialized Programs). All small, thematic schools are seen as Secondary Specialized Programs, which means they too have minimum criteria (except for Renaissance and Browning) and do not offer priority to any residential students. For information on the selection methodology of these options, visit the LBUSD HS Choice webpage. 

For more information on the LBUSD HS Choice Process, please visit the LBUSD HS Choice webpage or contact the HS Choice Helpline at (562) 997-8306.