Originally published on 12 March 2015 in the Pasadena Independent, Arcadia Weekly, Monrovia Weekly, and Sierra Madre Weekly

The headline on College Board’s website on February 6, 2014 screamed: The El Monte Union High School District Named the College Board’s Advanced Placement District of the Year!

For Maria Elena Navarro, Assistant Principal for Student Services, it was a validation of South El Monte High School’s mandate to send all their graduates to college. She works with a group of educators including Violetta Heilemann, guidance counselor, and George Reyes, career guidance coordinator, tasked with assisting their students to finish in the marathon that is the college admissions process.

Situated below the I-10 freeway in the San Gabriel Valley, South El Monte High School, has a total enrollment of 1,431, with 731 males and 700 females. It has a predominantly Hispanic make-up at 95.67 % of its population, with the remaining 4.33% of various Asian descent. Spanish is the spoken language of 72.96% of their student population; English is spoken by 23.34%. They have 63 teachers, with a student/teacher ratio of 23:1; one librarian, and an instructional coach. It is one of seven high schools in the EMUHSD.        

The school’s proactive approach towards a post-secondary career for their charge covers the steps students need to follow starting in 9^th grade through 12^th; the academic and proficiency requirements of the University of California and Cal State University system. They introduce 9^th graders to the personal statement portion of the college application process as well as the opportunities for challenging courses.  There will never be a more prepared group of students to enter the gates of South El Monte High School, or any high school for that matter!

Students are required to take a minimum of two years of history/social science; four years of English; three years of math; two years of laboratory science; two years of foreign language; one year of visual or performing art; and one year of college-preparatory elective. South El Monte High School offers 13 AP courses in the five core subjects plus art.

South El Monte High School offers a variety of athletic activities boys and girls can join. The entire student body cheers for the Eagles teams in basketball, cross-country, football, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field, volleyball, and wrestling.  

As counselors and coordinator help 9^th graders fully transition into high school life, they coordinate a parallel effort for 10^th through 12^th graders. They hold scheduled conferences and meetings with students and parents to ensure everyone is on track not only for graduation, but eligible to continue on to college. They hold essay writing and Cash for College workshops; they lead college campus tours.  

Through the district’s Partnership for College, SEMHS students have a guaranteed one-time priority registration to Rio Hondo Community College then transfer to either University of California Irvine (UCI) or the California State University Los Angeles (CSULA), if Partnership for College criteria are met.

The district’s excellent AP testing achievement owes some of its success to their Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID). Through this program, teachers and administrators provide their students support, motivation, and preparation for success in AP courses. Indeed, this singular focus has resulted in an increase in student participation in AP by six percent annually; an increase of AP students earning 3 or higher on at least one AP exam by five percent annually; and an increase in the percentage of traditionally underserved minority AP students earning a 3 or higher on at least one AP exam by ten percent annually. In 2013 55% of EMUSD students scored 3 or higher and in 2014 the district increased it by 62 students.

However, much of the school’s enviable accomplishment is due to the college and career culture created by teachers, administrators, and guidance counselors, which helps students realize their full potential.  And, seen in this light, students themselves are the ultimate achievers and therefore deserve the recognition.  

Of the 322 graduates of the class of 2014, 50 students attended the University of California schools; 59 enrolled in the Cal State System; 168 went to community colleges; 11 matriculated to other colleges and universities, including two who went to Georgetown and one to Stanford University; with the rest joining the armed services or going to vocational schools.

As one class of South El Monte High School ends its successful journey, another class arrives in the fall.  As in years past, students are introduced to a career preparation curriculum through the California College Guidance Initiative (CCGI). During the 9^th and 11^th grade College Nights, professionals in various fields come in to speak to them about their particular area, what they need to accomplish in high school to be eligible to take a post-secondary course, and the opportunities that await them when they successfully earn their degree.

All this forward thinking and planning give much hope for every single student coming into South El Monte High School. Many of them are first-generation students; some will be the first in their family to graduate from college.  But each of them will achieve that for which we all strive – a chance to live the American dream!