Los Alisos Middle School launches the district's sixth college and career center

NORWALK – Los Alisos Middle School’s Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) students rapped motivational verses to celebrate the opening of their college and career center.

“The college and career center is going to give students ideas on where they want to go, who they want to be and what they want to do,” AVID eighth-grader Daisy Esquivel, 14, said. “I think the center will impact the younger students – I didn’t think about going to college until I was in eighth grade.”

Los Alisos is the sixth and final Norwalk-La Mirada Unified middle school to offer a college and career center to students, allowing all middle school students throughout the District to plan early for higher-education options and a profession that suits their skills and passion.

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It follows the opening of centers at Hutchinson and Corvallis middle schools in 2015-16, Benton Middle School in August 2016, Waite Middle School in September 2016 and Los Coyotes in December 2016.

“The center is really inspirational, makes you want to join something and persuades you to think about going to college,” eighth-grader Jazmin Martinez, 13, said. “We can talk with counselors about the different colleges and high schools and see which ones are good for our path and career.”

Los Alisos’ college and career center is open to students during lunchtime and recess. Students are able to research and obtain information on potential colleges and careers, as well as speak with an on-site counselor.

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Superintendent Dr. Hasmik Danielian launched an initiative to open centers at every middle school campus after a Corvallis Associated Student Body member advocated for one at her school.

“One of our District’s top priorities is ensuring that our students graduate with the knowledge and skills that will prepare them for colleges and careers,” Dr. Danielian said. “I am so proud of all of our middle school principals for working so diligently in providing a space for our younger students to explore their options.”