South L.A. High School Students Graduated With AA Degrees Ensure College Dream Remains Attainable

Seven students at Stella High Charter Academy (SHCA) in South Los Angeles, seeking to make college affordable and attainable, are graduated this June with high school diplomas, AA degrees, and Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) Certification; having completed their lower-division general education classes before they even set foot on their college campuses.

Stella High, one of 9 free charter public schools in the Bright Star Schools network, is ranked in the top 11% of high schools nationwide by US News and World Report. It is co-located on the campus of L.A. Southwest College, which facilitates the high school-to-college pipeline. The seven graduating students are:

• Zuleimy Cabrera, 2 AA degrees, attending UC Berkeley
• Angelina Diaz, 3 AA degrees, attending UCLA, then medical school
• Alexandra Espinoza Dzul, 1 AA degree, attending UC San Diego
• Brianna Romero, 1 AA degree, attending UCLA
• Keily Rosa, attending 1 AA degree, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
• Tyler Santos, 1 AA degree, attending UC Berkeley
• Julio Tobar, 1 AA degrees, attending UC Davis

“I’m thrilled to be graduating with my high school diploma and three associates degrees,” said Angelina Díaz, a senior at Stella High Charter Academy. “I worked incredibly hard to pursue associates degrees while in high school, and I’m grateful for the support of my friends, family, counselors, and teachers that helped me succeed. This fall, I’m going to UCLA and then medical school, and I feel prepared and ready to continue tackling big challenges to realize my dream of becoming a doctor,” added Díaz.

With the number of high school students expected to peak this year before beginning a slow decline affecting the number of students attending college, according to projections by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, now more than ever college counselors are focused on helping students make college more affordable.

“I’ve been working with these students since 11th grade, and it’s been meaningful to build real connections with them and their families over time,” said Chelsea Nguyen, a 12th grade counselor at Bright Star Schools’ Stella High Charter Academy. “We discussed topics such as the application process, the cost of college, and the specific needs of each individual student.”

According to school officials, both students and counselors are navigated a new world of uncertainty, with a lot of stress and anxiety around paying for higher education. For this reason, Bright Star Schools provides its graduates with 6 years of added counselor support through its Alumni Support and College Success program, where counselors continue to help alumni navigate financial aid, offer skill-building opportunities, and help them overcome societal barriers.

“Watching these students grow and mature over the years has been incredibly rewarding. Their drive and ambition constantly inspire me, and it’s truly an honor to be part of their journey as their counselor,” added Nguyen.

In 2024, 87% of Bright Star Schools’ graduates matriculated to higher education, versus 51% of students attending similar schools nationwide. Nearly all of Bright Star Schools’ graduates are eligible for admission to Cal State or UC schools, compared to just 51% of high school graduates in California.