This year marks a momentous milestone for IVA High as we celebrate our 10th anniversary as an innovative charter high school in Long Beach, California. What began when Dr. Jason Baehr shared the impact of IVA Middle School on a podcast, inspiring James McGrath to reach out and join the board, has blossomed into a thriving community that continues to redefine what high school can be. 

As the first class of 8th graders prepared to graduate, it became clear that these bright, well-equipped middle school students needed a high school to attend. James McGrath, along with founding principal Summer Sanders, envisioned IVA High School and led a grassroots effort to build our school from the ground up. This included writing the charter, securing funding, finding a location, and assembling staff; all guided by an unwavering commitment to intellectual virtues. 

What are Intellectual Virtues?

Intellectual virtues are the characteristics that enable our students to think critically, learn effectively, and make sound decisions. In a rapidly changing world where careers may not yet exist, these virtues provide students with the adaptive capacity they need to thrive in college, career, and life. Rather than simply delivering knowledge, we cultivate the tools for lifelong learning.  

This decade of effort hasn’t been without challenges. When Long Beach Unified initially denied our high school petition, our founders demonstrated the very intellectual virtues we teach: courage and tenacity. They appealed to the state, secured approval through the Los Angeles County Office of Education, and opened our doors in 2016 with support from a $3.5 million Templeton Foundation grant.

National Recognition for IVA 

The impact of our approach has garnered national recognition. We’ve been celebrated by Niche for our outstanding commitment to college preparation, challenging academics, and student engagement. Most notably, New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Haidt praised IVA High students as wiser and stronger in his influential book The Coddling of the American Mind, urging prestigious universities to admit more students who have attended schools that teach intellectual virtues.

A Decade of Growth 

As we reflect on this decade of growth together, we’re proud of the diverse, inclusive community we’ve built. We are a high school where students explore engineering through Project Lead the Way partnerships, earn free college credits through dual enrollment with Long Beach City College, gain real-world experience through paid internships, and discover their voices in clubs ranging from Debate and Leadership to Gaming and Black Student Union. Our intentionally small school setting with a 50:1 counseling ratio ensures every voice is heard and every student is known.

Here’s to 10 Years of Curious Minds, Empowered Community, and to the bright future ahead for IVA High and all of us in it.  If you want to know more about us or even wish to enroll – please do! Transferring is easy and we can’t wait to meet you.

About IVA High

IVA High is a fully accredited, tuition-free public high school in Long Beach, California with a mission to empower students to think well: creatively, critically, and with a capacity for self-growth. Our learner-centered approach puts students in charge of their education, while dual enrollment and paid internships transform learning into action. Students come for college prep, STEAM and exploratory pathways for their future; they stay for smaller, safer learning in a vibrant, caring community. Get to know us on social media @ivahigh and on the web at www.ivahigh.org 10 Years of Curious Minds, Empowered Community – Join Us!