About Us | College and Career Academy

1996 Year Founded

Our Story

Built on Belief.
Driven by Second Chances.

College and Career Academy was founded in 1996 to serve Los Angeles youth and young adults who needed a different kind of high school: smaller, more personal, and built around real vocational pathways as much as academics.

Today the network operates six small, family style campuses across Los Angeles, Inglewood, Paramount, Watts, Pico-Union, South Los Angeles, and Long Beach, together graduating 185 students last year while partnering with YouthBuild and the Conservation Corps for free vocational training.

College and Career Academy, operated under Los Angeles Education Corps Charter School, holds the highest accreditation term available from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges: a full six years, and every course is approved by the UC and CSU systems for college eligibility.

What We Stand For

Our Core Values

Every decision and classroom interaction across our six campuses is guided by these principles.

🤝

Second Chances, No Judgment

Every student is welcome, whether they are behind on credits, aging out of a traditional high school, or just need a calmer place to learn.

🏫

Small by Design

Campuses of 50 to 100 students and classes of 15 to 20 keep every scholar known, coached, and supported.

🛠️

Work and Learn Together

Through YouthBuild and Conservation Corps partnerships, students can train for a trade or earn income while finishing their diploma.

🆓

Free and Accredited

Tuition free, WASC accredited, and open to any California resident regardless of the district they live in.

How We Teach

A Model Built for
Every Learner

College and Career Academy pairs in person, teacher led instruction with a flexible academic calendar, so students can catch up on credits at their own pace without losing the personal attention that makes the difference.

Academic Model

Quarter System

The school runs on a quarter system instead of semesters, so students can complete up to four terms a year and catch up on credits faster.

Daily Instruction

In-Person, Not Independent Study

Every student attends class in person with a teacher who guides them step by step, rather than working alone through packets.

Student Support

RSP Special Education Support

Special education teachers provide daily Resource Specialist Program support to students with IEPs inside their regular classes.

Career Training

Vocational Pathways

CNA, construction, and Conservation Corps partnerships let students train for a career at the same time they complete high school.

Our People

The Team Behind Every Scholar's Second Chance

Our staff are passionate, experienced, and deeply committed to the communities they serve across all six campuses.

Campus Principals & Deans

Site Leadership

Each of our six campuses is led by a hands on principal and dean who personally handle tours, enrollment, and daily student support.

Teachers & Classroom Staff

Instruction

Small classes of 15 to 20 students let our teachers give every scholar the one on one attention that got lost at a bigger school.

Counselors & Vocational Partners