L. A. Futures Academy

The L.A. Futures Academy is a work-based learning program that serves public high school students of Los Angeles County. The program partners with schools and major creative companies to prepare students for success in college and career. It does so by strengthening skills and motivation through professional mentorships, job role exposure and student-driven public service projects.

Since it was inaugurated in 2000, the L.A. Futures Academy has served hundreds of upper-level high school students who reflect the multicultural and economic composition of the greater Los Angeles student population.

How We Serve Schools
Most school districts are now prioritizing the development of a system of college and career pathways for high school students. These pathways combine academic and technical programs of study organized around broad industry themes and endeavor to couple real-world experiences with industry professionals in the workplace.

The L.A. Futures Academy is designed to provide this real-world application. The program compliments work-based learning instruction in high school career academies which are, themselves, preparing students for future job roles. The program is also in alignment with California’s Multiple Pathways Initiative, which combines academic rigor with the study of industry themes.

Real World Experience
For two years, Academy students are immersed in an in-depth curriculum that imparts principles, techniques and skills related to exciting new career roles. They directly engage with business and creative professionals at the headquarters of cutting-edge firms, and get an inside look at development of key projects from concept through completion.

Academy students also learn the importance of teamwork, critical thinking, problem-solving and working across disciplines through their own hands-on public service projects. As seniors, the students’ exposure to job roles is deepened and their class project engages them with a local nonprofit that serves in the role of client.

Academy students complete their training with a formal presentation to their clients and mentors. For example, last year’s Long Beach Polytechnic High School’s senior class created a new marketing look for youth programs of The Children’s Institute, a rehabilitation facility dedicated to serving the special needs of children and young adults. Venice High School’s Bilingual Business & Finance Academy re-branded the computer training, sports and tutorial programs of the Vera Davis Community Center to stimulate greater usage among neighborhood youths.

Outcomes
Within the experience, students are also given time to discover their own values and interests and are supported by mentors who guide them and leverage their strengths. By knowing what’s in it for them, Academy students are able to connect the dots from where they are-to higher learning opportunities-to their desired career choices.

In the end, students leave the Academy with increased social capital, practical tools, higher expectations and a clearer understand of the demands of today’s workplace. We believe that L.A. Futures Academy is a powerful link in the continuum of college-bound-to-career efforts at a critical time in their decision-making process.

Our Partners
The creative fields that include, but are not limited to, new media, marketing, entertainment, fashion and advertising, are one of the largest business sectors in Los Angeles County and generate nearly one million direct or indirect jobs. Making a significant contribution to our local economy, the sector will need to draw from a new generation of qualified, diverse employees. Conversely, the L.A. Futures Academy provides a pipeline-supporting the diversity of employment goals of the creative industry by helping to prepare, motivate and inspire tomorrow’s talent pool.

Our partners in the creative industry have included ThinkLA, The One Club, Multicultural Advertising Training Program (MAT), TBWA\Chiat\Day, Saatchi & Saatchi, DDB, IgnitedUSA, Rubin, Postaer & Associates (RPA), The Phelps Grup, GreyWorldwide, and Muse Advertising, among others.