Class of 2025: College Bound & Beyond
This article was originally published on LinkedIn. Read the full version below.
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 23, 2025 - At Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles, we believe every young person deserves the tools, support, and opportunity to build a great future. This year, our College Bound program at Los Angeles Unified School District's Jordan High School has proven just how powerful that support can be, maintaining a 100% graduation rate for all students enrolled in the program.
Throughout the 2024–2025 school year, 64 College Bound students at Jordan High School engaged in a dynamic blend of hands-on experiences and targeted workshops, all designed to prepare them for life after high school and sharpen their focus on the future.
"The Club has not only helped me apply to colleges like Stanford but helped me apply to scholarships that will ensure I make it there." - Raymundo, Jordan Wings Scholar
The program hosted 15 workshops covering essential topics such as:
- College application reviews
- Resume building and interview preparation
- Professional identity development through LinkedIn
- Community college exploration
- Financial aid and financial literacy sessions in partnership with California State University-Dominguez Hills
One of the year’s standout partnerships was with Foley & Lardner LLP, who helped deliver a 6-week Street Law program. Students explored real-world legal concepts, including contract negotiations, employment law, and intellectual property, while also learning about career pathways in the legal field.
Beyond the classroom, students had opportunities to explore college life and career possibilities in real-world settings:
- In February, students toured UC Irvine, gaining insight into campus life and the surrounding University Town Center.
- In May, students attended college accelerator workshops focus on college readiness hosted by the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation at Dodger Stadium, with guidance from the USC College Advising Corps.
Whether inside a workshop or out in the field, every experience this year was designed to equip students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to pursue their goals.
Fully Funded (Great) Futures
With over $809K in scholarships, they're ready for what's next.
Of our 30 graduating seniors, 27 are continuing their education at 2-4 year colleges across California:
- 11 accepted to University of California campuses: UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, UC Davis, UC Riverside
- 10 attending California State Universities: CSU Dominguez Hills, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, San José State, CSU Fullerton, Sacramento State
- 6 enrolled at California Community Colleges: Long Beach City College, LA Trade Tech, East LA College, El Camino College, Cerritos College
Two additional graduates are entering the workforce, and one student will be attending a transitional program.
Great Futures Start Here.
One final performance. A lifetime of possibility ahead.
The success of this year’s College Bound program reflects what’s possible when schools, nonprofits, partners, and communities come together to invest in young people. Thank you to every supporter who helped make this journey possible.
"The Club provided me with both physical opportunities, like access to a guitar, and non-physical opportunities, like allowing me to be the leader I had always looked up to." - Osbaldo V., former BGCMLA Youth of the Year
Beyond college and career prep, we're proud to empower youth to pursue their dreams and discover their passions. For Osbaldo and Jamal, that passion was music! Check out their final performance at the Watts/Willowbrook Club below. Can you guess the tune?
With your support, we can keep opening doors for the next generation of dreamers, doers, and future grads.
While Jordan High is home to our longest-standing College Bound program, we're growing our impact by expanding into Inglewood, Venice, and South Los Angeles to ensure even more teens gain access to life-changing opportunities.
Help us keep the momentum going. Support College Bound and other vital youth programs at: bgcmla.org/waystogive
