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SCIBA: A Model Partnership of Success for High School Students

The Southern California International Business Academy (SCIBA) sends 100 percent of its graduating class on to post-secondary institutions, 70 percent of whom matriculate to Cal State Dominguez Hills. The academy developed out of a partnership with CSU Dominguez Hills in 1995, and the program’s incredible success was affirmed this year, when the academy was at full capacity for the first time.

SCIBA is a high school designed to prepare at-risk students for college and professional entry-level positions. In addition to a normal academic schedule mandated by Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), SCIBA students focus their studies in business classes and are required to intern with companies in the South Bay community while also taking a college credit course taught by a professor from the University. Boasting a zero-percent drop-out rate, more than 200 students have graduated, having been enriched by the model of this program.

Former Vice President of University Advancement Melba Coleman coordinated the effort to bring SCIBA into existence as a way of empowering students and involving the University in positive community programs. With the California Academy of Mathematics and Science high school already located on campus, Coleman and Aiko Muriama, an associate of Los Angeles Unified School District, approached former Gardena High School Principal John Howard about housing the program within the high school. He was immediately interested in their proposal.

“SCIBA represents everything I believe about kids. If you give them an opportunity, they’ll succeed. SCIBA’s philosophy is that we will not let them fail. Dominguez Hills offers the same opportunities for people who may start out with very little confidence and end up going on to do great things,” said Howard. “For a lot of these kids, this program gives them the motivation and belief that they can do something worthwhile.”

Paige Okada has served as the advisor and coordinator of the program since 1999 and has seen the benefits of the partnership with Dominguez Hills. “The University contributes a professor to teach a course in which the students can earn college credit. This semester, Dr. [Raoul] Freeman, [chair and professor of computer information systems (CIS),] is teaching a CIS elective.”

The School of Business and Public Administration also hosts a mentor program once a year where SCIBA students visit CSUDH to meet professors and discuss their educational goals. CSU Dominguez Hills also coordinates and hosts the SCIBA graduation ceremony each year and provides a dinner for seniors and their guests after the ceremony.

SCIBA students have increased their grade-point average by 1.5 points after entering the program and must retain a GPA of 3.0 to remain in the school.

“We require our students to participate in tutoring, and the benefits show not only in their GPAs, but in their attendance as well,” says Okada.

The program has been so effective that Okada is developing an additional program called “itAcademy” modeled after SCIBA, except students’ studies will focus on Information Technology rather than business. Okada hopes to partner again with the University in this new venture and is in discussion with the School of Business and Public Administration. “Dean [James] Strong, [School of Business and Public Administration,] has been very supportive,” said Okada.

For more information, contact Leslie Patterson, director of development, School of Business & Public Administration, at (310) 243-2364.

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