Some things about a school only come through in person: the energy in a classroom, how students treat each other, whether teachers actually seem to like being there. IVA High, a tuition-free public charter school in Long Beach serving grades 9 through 12, is betting a visit will tell you more than our website can.

The School Tour: A Walk Through a Working Classroom

A tour at IVA High puts families straight into active classrooms. A member of our staff leads visitors through on scheduled tour days, and you’ll watch students work through project-based lessons, debate ideas, and ask teachers questions without easy answers. That fits our school’s model, built around intellectual virtues like curiosity and open-mindedness.

Tours run on a set schedule, but families who miss a listed date can email info@ivahigh.org or fill out the contact form to arrange another time. No one gets turned away for a scheduling conflict.

The Shadow Day: A Full Morning as an IVA High Student

A shadow day puts your student inside IVA High. The school offers shadow days throughout the year for prospective students, including 8th graders, with 10 spots available per session. Your student sits in classes, works alongside current students, and eats lunch on campus.

Here’s how a typical shadow day at IVA High breaks down:

• Arrival and welcome
• Classroom engagement
• Student panel Q&A
• Reflection

That student panel is worth pausing on. Prospective students get a chance to ask real IVA High students what the school is actually like. It’s often the moment a shadow day turns into a real conversation between peers.

Why This Matters for Transfer Students Too

Shadow days aren’t just reserved for incoming 9th graders. Students currently enrolled elsewhere and considering a transfer into 10th, 11th, or 12th grade can request a shadow day the same way an 8th grader would. IVA High’s counseling team reviews transfer transcripts to make sure credits carry over cleanly, and a shadow day gives a transferring student a low-pressure way to see whether the fit is right before any paperwork gets filed.

How to Reserve a Spot

To reserve one, email info@ivahigh.org or submit the contact form on the IVA High website. The school will confirm your date and walk you through arrival details.

Once your student has visited, whether through a tour or a shadow day, enrolling takes four steps: apply online, wait for the school to follow up on grade-level availability, submit paperwork, and confirm the spot. There’s no entrance exam and no zip code requirement, since IVA High is open to any student in the greater Long Beach area.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Do I need to schedule a tour in advance, or can I just show up?

Tours run on set drop-in days during the summer. If none of those dates work for you, email info@ivahigh.org or use the contact form to set up a different time.

Can 8th graders attend a shadow day, or is it only for current high schoolers?

Shadow days are open to prospective students, including 8th graders, as well as students looking to transfer into grades 10, 11, or 12. Ten spots are available per session, and reserving a spot early is recommended.

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!