College Ready Culture

LPS’ vision has always been to build future leaders with the skills, dispositions, and credentials to make a difference in their communities. We work to fuse academic habits of mind and leadership skills with real-world projects that give our students an introduction to high school expectations and college preparation.

Stanford Freshman Leadership Retreat
Freshmen begin their Leadership Public Schools' career with a three-day retreat at Stanford University. As part of this LPS Signature Experience, they stay in dorms and begin developing the college orientation and sense of community that will provide the foundation for their four years at LPS.

Academic Leadership
All freshmen enroll in an Academic Leadership course where they develop study skills, college-preparatory reading strategies, data analysis techniques and expository writing skills needed to be successful community leaders.  The Academic Leadership course is also designed to develop leadership skills built around real-world projects

Academic Advisory
Every student is assigned to an Academic Advisory group that will be a four-year advisory family – a teacher and 20 students that travel together on their LPS journey. Friday Family Meetings bring all advisory groups together to celebrate successes, address school issues, and reinforce the college-going culture.

Week Without Walls
All LPS students participate in another LPS Signature Experience, Week Without Walls. Week Without Walls provides students a week-long opportunity to expand their horizons through camping, producing a music video, interviewing start-up entrepreneurs, participating in social service projects, and a myriad of other activities. The week culminates with presentations and exhibitions of this extended learning.

College Tours
LPS students have one or more opportunities to visit a four-year college and get a view of college life. Students in their Sophomore or Junior years can travel to UCs, CSUs and private colleges throughout California.

College Counseling
LPS begins helping students plan their paths to college freshman year.

• College Counselors monitor credits and A-G progress each grading period, placing students in appropriate intervention as needed.
• College Counselors hold parent meetings and support families in making college a reality for their children.
• All students complete college applications and financial aid forms in their advisory courses and work on college essays in English class senior year.