Gateway High School

This year long elective course, taught by a highly qualified teacher, has the goal of empowering our Latino youth to lead and strengthen our community through college and career readiness. We accomplish this by focusing on four pillars: leveraging personal and cultural assets, excelling in education, serving the community and developing leadership skills.

Because of this unique combination, the LIA model has proven effective throughout the United States. In 2015 the LIA program was awarded the White House Bright Spot for Hispanic Education by the White House Initiative on Excellence in Hispanic Education.

LIA at Gateway impacts our community at many levels. From planning events that highlight and educate others about Latin Culture to volunteering at our feeder elementary schools: our students are going above and beyond!

Leadership Development:

Each LIA student gains real-life leadership experience by participating in student-lead service, social, and professional committees. We are scaffolding their leadership skills and then infusing the students back into the school community, better prepared to lead and serve.

College and Career Readiness Curriculum:

Our culturally relevant, college and career readiness curriculum bolsters students’ current academic performance while preparing them for their futures as college-bound students and contributing members of society. The curriculum offers high-quality instruction on post-secondary education options and readiness, personal development, professionalism, and an exploration of one’s cultural heritage through literary and performing arts.

Literacy Tutoring:

From approximately October to April, LIA students serve as role models, mentors, and literacy tutors for neighboring elementary school students. This partnership helps both parties develop linguistic proficiency, refine social skills, and deepen their understanding of the value of being bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural.