Stern MASS goes from Breaking Ground to Groundbreaking

“This is an unprecedented partnership for public education, the University, and the dreams of our students,” said Dr. James Rosser, President of Cal State LA, looking to the construction site that will be the permanent home of the Alliance’s Stern Math and Science School. His words launched the groundbreaking ceremony on the CSLA campus of the building that will be the permanent home for MASS’s 500 high school students. 

The new school will include 22 classrooms, four science labs, a multi-purpose room, a library, and a CSLA professional development center in 34,000 square feet.  Dr. Rosser praised the partnership that will bring high quality math and science to underserved students so that they can be “among the brightest doctors, scientists, and educators,” he said, “by collaborating with our University faculty and teacher-education students.”

State Superintendent of Instruction Jack O’Connell said, “This is exactly the partnership needed to close the achievement gap. We will be able to replicate this throughout California.”

In less than two years of operation, Stern MASS has already made significant progress, scoring 718 on its first Academic Performance Index.  That is 165 points higher than nearby East Los Angeles high schools. Principal Derrick Chau predicts that the new school will be ready to welcome students in September.