LA UnidosUS Escalera Program

Ana Priscila leads the Escalera Program for 149 9th grade students at Alliance Patti & Peter Neuwirth Leadership Academy. The program is taught every second week of the month, with a focus on Mrs. D’Andrea’s class, while other 9th grade teachers cover their students during Thursday advisory periods.

This week’s session focused on Postsecondary Options: College Choices, exploring the pros and cons of different paths. Ana Priscila also invited her coworker Jonathan, a UCLA alum and current CSULA master’s student, to share his personal college experience. Students were engaged and valued hearing firsthand insights about college life and decision-making.

In addition to lessons, student check-ins are conducted during advisory periods, supporting 25 students at a time. These check-ins provide mentorship, monitor progress, and help students explore postsecondary opportunities while receiving guidance and support.