Starting high school can feel like walking into a room where everyone already knows the rules but you. At IVA High, a tuition-free public charter school serving grades 9-12 in downtown Long Beach, CA, new students get a dedicated orientation day before classes even start, followed by a first week designed to help them settle in.

Here’s what new Tritons and their families can expect!

New Student Orientation Comes Before Day One

Before the first day of classes, IVA High holds a dedicated orientation for incoming students. It’s a chance to walk the campus, meet staff, and get oriented to how the school works before the pressure of a full class schedule kicks in.

For families, this is also a good moment to ask questions, tour the building at 1637 Long Beach Blvd, and get comfortable with the campus layout ahead of the first day.

Students Get Familiar With the Block Schedule

IVA High runs on a block schedule, which means fewer classes per day but longer class periods. New students spend their first week getting used to the rotation and what a typical block feels like: discussion, project work, and more sustained time with each subject than a traditional 6-period day allows.

This format supports IVA High’s project-based learning model, where students build knowledge through inquiry rather than rushing through material to hit a bell.

Small Campus Means Students Aren’t a Number

IVA High keeps its campus intentionally small. That shows up in the first week through smaller class sizes and a level of familiarity with staff that’s harder to find at bigger schools. Students consistently describe feeling like teachers actually know them, not just their names on a roster.

Support is also close at hand. IVA High maintains one of the stronger counselor-to-student ratios among California high schools, so students have real access to counseling support once the school year is underway.

Families Stay Connected Through the Family Alliance Program

Parents and guardians get their own on-ramp too. IVA High’s Family Alliance Program connects families to the school community, and new families can expect guidance on logging into the Aeries Portal to track grades, attendance, and school communications.

Families can also get their hands on the school year’s key dates early, including the school’s Exhibition of Learning events later in the year.

Students Start Exploring What’s Beyond the Classroom

Once the first week settles into a rhythm, students start looking at what else IVA High has to offer. The school offers more clubs per student and more field trips per year than many larger schools, along with AXS Pathways, its dual enrollment and career exploration program with Long Beach City College.

Instead of asking “What’s your career choice?” IVA High asks students, “What are you curious about?” That question shapes a lot of what students explore once they’re settled in.

• Attend new student orientation before the first day.
• Tour campus and meet staff.
• Get used to the block schedule rotation.
• Set up Aeries Portal access.
• Learn about the Family Alliance Program.
• Start exploring clubs, sports, and AXS Pathways.

Ready to see it for yourself? Come tour IVA High.

Families can schedule a campus tour or reach out directly to ask questions about enrollment, orientation dates, or student support.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What grades does IVA High serve?

IVA High serves students in grades 9 through 12 at its campus in downtown Long Beach, CA.

Is IVA High tuition-free?

Yes. IVA High is a tuition-free public charter high school open to all students in greater Long Beach on a first-come, first-served basis.

Does IVA High hold an orientation before school starts?

Yes. IVA High holds a dedicated orientation day for new students ahead of the first day of school, giving students and families a chance to get familiar with campus before classes begin.

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!