As a parent, I consider graduation rate and college readiness to be crucial factors when choosing a school for my child.

In that regard, there is a school that stands out as the top performer in the West Covina Unified School District.

That school is Mt. SAC Early College Academy.

Mt. SAC Early College Academy ranks among the top 70 public high schools in California.

According to U.S. News, it stands shoulder to shoulder with the top schools in California, making it the top performer within WCUSD.

The four-year graduation rate is 100%, and the dropout rate is 0%. These figures alone indicate how systematically this school is operated.

https://mtsaceca.wcusd.org

What makes this school special?

The Early College Academy primarily operates a program that allows students to take college courses at Mt. San Antonio College while still in high school, earning college credits in advance.

Students can earn up to 60 college credits for free by the time they graduate, effectively completing the first two years of college while attending high school.

This is a completely different opportunity compared to just taking a few AP classes.

The school is located within the West Covina area, and students attend high school classes on campus while also taking college classes at the Mt. SAC campus.

The school operates on a smaller scale than typical high schools, which helps maintain close relationships between teachers and students and a focused learning environment.

Admissions are targeted at students within the WCUSD district, and there is a separate application process.

What type of student is this school suitable for?

It is ideal for students who are highly motivated academically and want to actively prepare for college.

This is not a school that students can automatically enter just because they have good grades; it requires the willingness and self-management skills to handle college-level coursework.

On the other hand, students who want to minimize academic pressure and focus on various extracurricular activities may find other options more suitable.

From a parent's perspective, another attractive aspect of this school is the cost-saving effect.

In the U.S., where the cost of attending a four-year college can reach tens of thousands of dollars annually, earning college credits for free while in high school is a significant financial advantage.

The acceptance of previously earned credits at private universities varies by institution, so it is important to check in advance whether the target college will accept those credits.

Considering the educational environment in West Covina, the existence of this school is undoubtedly an asset. One of the reasons to consider WCUSD when choosing a school district is because of this school.

If you are a Korean parent who wants to start preparing your child for college early, be sure to learn about Mt. SAC Early College Academy.