Long Beach High School Academies
Every student not enrolled in a magnet program - PACE or CIC - is a member of an academy. Students are allowed to choose which academy best fits their interests. Academy students typically take six classes a semester. All academies are designed to prepare students to enter college. Once in an academy, students work with a group of teachers who carefully monitor the students and their progress.
The difference in academics is in the electives the students are offered. All four academies provide the students with the same core of classes. Each academy provides students with a different set of electives. All 9th graders are required to take English, history, math, and physical education.
Find more information about all of the school district's magnet and gifted programs at
The Arts Academy focuses on visual, applied, and performing arts. Students use their elective periods to study drawing and painting, 3D art, jewelry making, architectural design, dance, drama, creative writing, music (choral and instrumental), or a number of other elective courses.
Typically, an incoming 9th grader wishing to join the Arts Academy is required to complete a middle school arts class or submit a letter describing their desire to join the Arts Academy.
The Beach Academy is primarily a math and science academy. Students who sign up for the Beach Academy should expect to take math and science classes each year they are enrolled at Poly. The core curriculum prepares students for entry into 4-year universities and other institutions of higher learning by emphasizing the role of science and math in today’s environment. College exploration and field trips are designed to broaden the students’ perspectives and opportunities. Honors and AP challenges. A tutorial program monitors students’ progress and offers additional assistance.
Students in the Business and Technology Academy are given extensive training in the use of Microsoft products. Students can earn a certificate that pronounces them proficient in the use of all aspects of Microsoft Office. Business and Technology Academy students are encouraged to take classes that prepare them for the business world. Seniors can sign up for mentoring/internship programs, working for companies throughout Long Beach to develop a sense for the world of business.The Business Academy has developed a program entitled “Operation: No Fail.” This is a method developed to identify students who are struggling in their classes and provide services to help them get back on the right track.
This college prep magnet offers students the opportunity to study a variety of subjects with a global emphasis. CIC prepares students for college-level academics and for success in a world economy. CIC students are accepted to the University of California system and numerous private universities throughout the United States.
CIC students take seven classes a semester, which include accelerated, honors and AP classes. Students have the opportunity to learn languages not often taught at the high school level, such as Chinese and Japanese. The CIC Japanese language program is the largest of its kind in the United States. It has an ongoing exchange program where students have the opportunity to host Japanese students and to spend three weeks in Japan during the summer.
Each year 185 students are selected for the CIC program. To be eligible to apply, a student must have an academic GPA of 3.0 or higher, reading and language standardized test scores starting at the 60th percentile, good conduct and good attendance. Students are selected on the basis of their GPA, test scores, school and community service activities, and essay. The deadline for applications is February of each year.
All inquiries regarding the CIC program should be forwarded to the CIC office (562) 591-0581, ext. 5196.
Find more information about all of the school district's magnet and gifted programs at
The Communication Academy focuses its elective choices on skills that will improve the students’ ability to communicate effectively in a technologically changing world. Students will be encouraged to select classes such as speech, multimedia production, journalism, and other English electives to strengthen their verbal and writing skills. Freshmen take a core class, Introduction to Communications, which explores all of these areas and lays a foundation upon which to build in the following years. Advanced work in one or more areas leads to a Senior Project.
Communication Academy students are well prepared to continue their studies at the university level in fields such as teaching, law, sociology, social work, journalism, politics, broadcasting, and multimedia production. Careers in these are explored throughout their time at Poly using the Career Center, work experience, guest speakers, and field trips as appropriate.
The Poly PACE program is nationally recognized for its academic excellence. Every year, the PACE program sends its students to a wide variety of universities: the Ivy League schools, the Big Ten schools, the University of California system, and many other private schools.
Each year, 185 eighth graders are selected based on standardized test scores, an essay, and their middle school grade point average. These three measures allow PACE to select the best and the brightest for this very competitive program.
PACE students take seven classes a year and have 23 Advanced Placement courses from which to select. This program is designed for students who are willing to stretch themselves academically.
The deadline to apply for the PACE program is set for the middle of February. For more details, feel free to contact the PACE office at (562) 591-0581, ext 5198 or 5165.
Find more information about all of the school district's magnet and gifted programs at
“The PAAL campus is a supportive and nurturing environment focusing on success for 11th and 12th graders.”
Areas of Strength, Poly WASC Report, March 2001.
PAAL is open from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
/ Students take four 90-minute classes every day./ Each 10 unit class is one semester long.
/ Students are required to take a minimum of 3 classes per semester.
The Poly Academy of Accelerated Learning (PAAL) is an Upper Division Academy of Long Beach Polytechnic High School located at 1545 Long Beach Blvd. The academy is available to approximately 550 students.
PAAL is designed to give Poly students some opportunities that are not available at the Poly campus.
PAAL allows students to accelerate their studies. If students choose, they can complete 80+ credits per year at PAAL (whereas other schools offer 60 credits).
Each 10 unit class will meet daily for 90 minutes, enabling students to complete a year-long course in one semester. Teachers’ conference periods are scheduled into each day so that students can get assistance as they need.
Core classes for juniors and seniors required for high school graduation are offered. Physical Education can be taken as Independent Study. A variety of electives, including Computer Applications, Zoology, Ethnic Studies, Criminal Law, and Creative Writing are offered. Like all Poly students, PAAL students are able to take advantage of LBUSD’s Regional Occupation Program (ROP) and Long Beach City College’s articulated classes.
Students attending PAAL have all of the same athletic and extracurricular opportunities as any Poly student. There are also other additional activities designed by and for PAAL students.
PAAL Student Commission is an organization designed to illustrate leadership skills, by planning school events such as school dances, lunch activities, tournaments, maintaining a student store, organizing fashion shows, fundraisers, feeding the homeless, reading to sick children in the hospital, and raising money for school trips to different theme parks.
PAAL has 18 fully-equipped classrooms – all air-conditioned. There is a computer classroom as well as a Library-Media Center that has 27 Gateway computers available for all students. Full district meal service is also provided to students who qualify.
The campus is staffed with 21 teachers, one administrator, one counselor, one dean, one librarian, two staff assistants, two secretaries, a part-time nurse, and a part-time psychologist.
Only currently-enrolled, LBUSD, 10th and 11th grade students may take advantage of PAAL next year. We cannot accept students on an Inter-District Permit. Students may pick up applications from their counselors. Each student must fill out the application completely, get appropriate signatures, and return it to his/her counselor. Applications are processed on a first come, first served basis. If you are accepted, you will be notified by mail.
PAAL is an academy providing diverse educational opportunities in a way that empowers students to become high school graduates who are problem solvers, thinkers, and leaders.