Congratulations to CAL Prep for steady improvements as estimated API tops 800 in 2009!

California College Preparatory Academy (CAL Prep) is a unique early college secondary school, co-conceived and co-constructed by the University of California, Berkeley and Aspire Public Schools for urban students who face obstacles in getting to college. CAL Prep is open to all students and families; it currently serves 200 students, grades 8-11, adding one grade per year to reach 12th grade in 2010-11.  The student body is 62% African American, 35% Latino/Hispanic; 64% are eligible for free or reduced lunch and 35% are English Language Learners.

With support from UCB faculty, students and staff, CAL Prep is developing a school which has high expectations for all students, creates an adult rich teaching and learning environment, involves parents and families, and provides the
supports students need to be successful. These strategies are yielding steady and incremental growth in the Academic Performance Index (API) which grew from 650 in 2006 to an estimated 823 in 2009 - especially dramatic since each year CAL Prep is adding upper grades and more challenging classes!