Exemplary AP® Program: Calexico High School, Calexico, Calif.

Feb. 2010

Western News

Strictly by the numbers, Calexico High School shouldn’t be producing the scholars that it does, said Principal Gilbert Barraza, with a touch of pride. The overwhelming majority of his students come from difficult socioeconomic circumstances: many are English language learners, the community has high unemployment and Calexico is a Title I school in a Title I district.

“It’s all stacked up against us,” Barraza said. “But we’ve had 12 Gates Millennium Scholars in the past four years. Our students are accepted to the top universities in our state and country. Our college-going rate is more than 80 percent.” In addition, Calexico had the largest number of Latino students from the class of 2009 score a 3 or higher on the AP^® Spanish Language Exam.

It’s a success story centered just north of the U.S.–Mexico border east of San Diego, with 2,100 students in grades 10–12. Barraza said his efforts have included restructuring staff and developing a professional learning community on campus that would benefit students as teachers mentored each other and adopted best practices. “We’re very pleased by the achievements of the last five years, but we’re not entirely surprised. This is what we’ve been working for,” he said.

Yolanda Cota, who teaches the AP Spanish Language course and also is an alumna of Calexico, said she relishes seeing students recognized for their mastery of their first language. “I love being able to teach in the language that expresses our backgrounds and lives,” said Cota, who has been at the school for 21 years. “It’s a chance to come back and help this community. We have a great rapport because we are local.”

Barraza said Calexico faculty are marketing a broader experience to high school students, and emphasizing how an education opens the door to those experiences. “We want to show them there’s a bigger world out there. We have been shoring up where there are breakdowns in other areas. We can’t leave homework to chance. We have to help kids help themselves.”

Calexico offers a credit recovery program that allows students to use online courses available through other districts to offset failures in their sophomore year. That safety net can keep students on track as they acclimate to high school expectations and strive to improve in their junior and senior years.

Technology also has played a role for teachers. The school uses computer labs, laptops and LCD projectors to enhance teaching, and Barraza said he hopes to begin helping parents learn to use technology. “We’ve had to work hard to get a hold on our truancy rate and tardy rate. But parents have rallied behind their kids. There are ways we can support them, too, and technology would be an important one,” he said.

Families are pressing their students to pursue college, and AP courses are helping them financially. Cota said she believes the economic incentive is powerful for Calexico’s students. “Our area is one of the poorest in the state, and to be able to get ahead is a big factor for our students. They hear their friends talk about saving money through credits or by getting scholarships. Those messages are heard.”