Principal's Message
Welcome! I am honored to welcome you to Health Services Academy (HSA)– a new charter high school in South Los Angeles. HSA is a school within Alliance College-Ready Public Schools (a charter operator of high performing schools within the Los Angeles Unified School District).
With a focus on medical science, HSA opened in September 2009 with an inaugural 9th grade class of students. A new grade level will be added until the school is at capacity with approximately 500 students in grades 9-12.
HSA is open to all students and provides a college preparatory program regardless of academic or career interests. We believe an effective, high quality learning environment is enhanced by directly connecting the student to the local community, universities, job-sites, and the natural world.
Part of the school’s mission is preparing students to enter healthcare professions. In the freshman and sophomore years, HSA students will take introductory medical science courses and receive medical training. (Please refer to the school’s Four-Year Course Sequence). In the junior and senior years, HSA students will have the opportunity for internships to gain valuable work experience as well as to take college courses.
Some teenagers hold the belief healthcare careers are limited to being a doctor, nurse or dentist. Healthcare professions cover a wide scope and pay well. Physical therapist, chemist, psychologist, forensic pathologist, nutritionist, veterinarian, and pharmacist are just some additional job titles within healthcare. Over the next two decades, jobs in the healthcare industry will be one of the fastest growing career fields in the United States.
Healthcare jobs also encompass careers in law, business, and politics. In order to move students into career paths, our focus is educating students with the skills and knowledge to first succeed in high school and college.
Educating a child is more than educating the mind. As Aristotle said, “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” Each child has tremendous potential and each child is unique. As a parent myself, I know each child has their own needs and learning styles. It is our goal to support your child’s academic and social well-being. We understand success is tied to confidence – the belief in oneself. We also understand self-esteem is developed as students become passionate and take responsibility for their own learning. At HSA, we believe education is the foundation for our students to become curious and determined to build their dreams.
We look forward to having your child join the HSA family!
With respect,
Erik Elward
Principal
