HARBOR TEACHER PREPARATION ACADEMY

Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy is a Title I public high school that is part of the Los Angeles Unified school district, located in Wilmington, CA with about 453 students offering grade levels from 9th Grade to 12th Grade. A Title I school provides supplemental financial assistance to school districts for children from low-income families. Its purpose is to provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education. With about 16 teachers, Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy has a student/teacher ratio of about 28:1. The national average for public schools is about 15:1. A lower student/teacher ratio is a key factor that determines how much a teacher can devote his/her time to each individual student thus improving, or reducing (in the event of a higher student/teacher ratio) the attention each student is given for their educational needs.

Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy (HTPA) is a unique early college high school located on the campus of Los Angeles Harbor College in Wilmington, California. Operating as a partnership between the Los Angeles Unified School District and the Los Angeles Community College District, the school offers a rigorous academic environment specifically designed for students interested in pursuing a career in education. The primary mission of the academy is to accelerate the path to professional teaching by allowing students to complete their high school graduation requirements while simultaneously earning college credits, often graduating with an Associate’s degree or significant transferable coursework.

The school is characterized by its small, intimate setting, which fosters a close-knit community focused on mentorship and professional development. Because it is located directly on a college campus, students are immersed in a higher-education atmosphere from their freshman year, granting them access to college facilities and resources. This "middle college" model is intended to remove barriers to higher education, providing a structured, supportive pathway for students—particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds—to become the next generation of highly qualified teachers and educational leaders.

For more information, contact Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy at (310) 834-3932 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.