LA High School Sends 270 Students to Top UC Campuses

When 270 students from a single Los Angeles high school receive acceptance letters from top University of California campuses, something remarkable is happening inside those classrooms.

King/Drew Medical Magnet High School in South Los Angeles serves 1,300 students, many from historically underserved communities. The school has achieved what many thought impossible in a large urban district: a 100% graduation rate in multiple recent years and millions in scholarship awards for graduates.

The secret isn't complicated. Principal Reginald Brookens removes barriers instead of creating them. "I don't care what kind of student you've been in the past," he says when explaining why any motivated student can take Advanced Placement courses at King/Drew.

The results speak for themselves. Students average 1040 on the SAT and graduate ready for college-level work. Recent graduating classes have collectively earned nearly $8 million in scholarships, opening doors that might otherwise stay closed.

Tenth grader Brailynn Page describes the culture simply: "The classes really push you to do your best and think about your future. The teachers expect a lot from us because it helps prepare us for college."

That culture of high expectations extends across the entire school. King/Drew students gain admission to UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, UC Irvine, and UC Davis at rates that rival any school in California.

The medical magnet program focuses on medicine, science, and health careers through rigorous coursework and laboratory experiences. Students don't just read about STEM fields; they prepare to enter them as professionals.

The Ripple Effect

King/Drew's success challenges tired narratives about what public schools in large urban districts can achieve. When students receive proper support and adults believe in their potential, academic excellence becomes the norm rather than the exception.

The school operates within LAUSD, the same district often criticized for overcrowding and funding gaps. That makes King/Drew's achievements even more meaningful. This isn't a private academy with unlimited resources. It's a public school proving that zip code doesn't determine destiny.

Families across Los Angeles now see King/Drew as more than just a high school. It represents a clear pathway from South LA neighborhoods to the nation's most competitive universities and professions.

Other schools are taking notice. The model of inclusive access to rigorous coursework, combined with strong academic counseling and high expectations, can work anywhere educators commit to it.

For the 270 students heading to UC campuses, King/Drew transformed possibility into reality.