Discover California GEAR UP, Pasadena Pacoima Middle School, Los Angeles Unified School District

Tuesday, 07 October 2008 21:25

Presentation: “Using the SSAR & PDAP as the focus for college-going activities”
Marcy Hamm, Principal / Lorraine Armelin, Title I Coordinator/Site Contact

Demographics: Located in the eastern part of the San Fernando Valley, Pacoima Middle School enrolls over 2200 students in grades 6-8, including a magnet school.  The main student ethnicities are 93% Hispanic and 4% white.  Per District policy, 100% of the students participate in the Free or Reduced Price lunch program.  36% are English Learners.  API scores increased from 2007 base of 643 to 663 in 2008, meeting all subgroup growth targets.

Strategies Used

The Pacoima Middle School Leadership Team chose to house their college corner in the 8th grade counseling center where students can check out “Kids on Campus” and “Choose College; We Did” videos and student study guides.  All 7th grade English classes used the ACT Discover Career Planning software and loved the program.  In conjunction with the Back to School event in March 2008, their first Math Carnival was held where family members and staff were encouraged to learn new math concepts and win prizes.  More teachers are being trained in AVID strategies which are being used school-wide.  This is building excitement and high expectations as part of their college-going culture.

Best Practices

School staff continues to try different ways to involve family members in the academic program. AVID strategies are being implemented and used school-wide.

Regional Coordinator:  Frank Holmes

Counselor Carrie Medeiros, Title I Coordinator/site contact Lorraine Armelin, and Regional Coordinator Frank Holmes