November Newsletter

As we head into November, it’s the perfect time to reflect with gratitude—for our students’ hard work, our families’ support, and the many opportunities ahead. With the semester moving quickly, this month is all about finishing strong and staying proactive!

Seniors, the UC and CSU application deadline of December 1st is fast approaching. Don’t wait until the last minute—join our College Application Workshops for extra support before the break. Completing your applications early means more time to focus on scholarships, financial aid, and your next steps after graduation.

We’re also excited to release our Spring and Summer 2026 Early College Program (ECP) schedules early! This gives students more time to plan ahead and register for FREE college credit courses—a great way to get ahead and explore future careers.

Let’s finish the fall semester with focus and gratitude—every step you take now brings you closer to your goals!

Important Dates:

• November 24 – 28 - Thanksgiving Break
• December 1 - UC/CSU Deadline

We’re excited to announce that our Spring and Summer 2026 ECP schedules are being released early — giving students and families more time to plan ahead!

Students can complete their enrollment steps now to secure priority placement in their preferred courses. Spring and summer are perfect opportunities to get ahead, explore college subjects, and earn FREE transferable college credit while still in high school.

🌟 New this Summer: The Physical Therapy Aide Program launches—an excellent option for students interested in health care and high-demand allied health careers!

Don’t miss out—check out the new schedules, explore the course list, and start your enrollment steps today!

Spring Deadline:

• 🔴Final Deadline: Tuesday, 1/6/2026 at 11:59 PM

Summer Deadlines:

• 🟠Priority Deadline: Tuesday, 1/6/2026 at 11:59 PM
• 🔴Final Deadline: Monday, 4/6/2026 at 11:59 PM

📅 Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/ausd-ecp-classes

The following events/presentations, held during the school day, are open to all 9th-12th grade students (unless otherwise specified). See the site-based info below for more details.

We’re excited to share that we’re planning college field trips for the upcoming 2025–26 school year! Visit your school's College & Career Center for more information! While final details are still being confirmed, our tentative list includes:

• Woodbury University

• University of La Verne

• California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA)

• University of California, Riverside (UC Riverside)

• University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)

• California State University, Northridge (CSUN)

• East Los Angeles College

• Rio Hondo College

• Electrical Training Institute

Please note: This list is tentative and subject to change based on each college’s availability. While we aim to visit as many campuses as possible, some trips may not occur due to factors beyond our control.

Past Field Trips for 2025-2026 School Year:

• California State University, Long Beach (CSULB)

• University of Southern California (USC)

This month, we want to take a moment to thank some of our alumni who have taken the time and energy to give back to our students.

Meet Our ELAC Student Ambassadors!

Victor Li, c/o MKHS 2025, exemplifies the power of dedication and early college success. Through his participation in the Early College Program (ECP), Victor completed an impressive 54 units of college credit before graduating in May 2025.

He is now a first-year Biology student at East Los Angeles College (ELAC), where he also serves as a Student Ambassador—a role that allows him to support fellow students by sharing resources, opportunities, and guidance. Victor is currently preparing to transfer to UCLA, continuing his educational journey with enthusiasm and gratitude. We’re thrilled to have him return to Mark Keppel as an ELAC Student Ambassador, helping the next generation of ECP students reach their goals.

Victor is stationed at SGHS on Mondays & Tuesdays and Thursdays at MKHS.

Ryan Liang, c/o AHS 2025, is a shining example of how early college opportunities can open doors to future success. As part of the Early College Program (ECP), Ryan completed a significant number of transferable college credits by the time he graduated in May 2025.

Now a student at East Los Angeles College (ELAC), Ryan serves as a Student Ambassador, where he supports AUSD students in navigating college pathways and exploring their academic and career goals. He is currently in the process of applying to transfer to UC campuses, continuing to build on the strong foundation he developed through ECP. Ryan’s commitment to higher education and his passion for helping others make him an inspiring role model for current students.

Ryan is stationed at MKHS on Mondays and AHS on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

A big thank you again to our amazing Early College Program alumni who returned for our August Kickoff Event, celebrating the relaunch of the AA in General Studies: Social & Behavioral Science pathway through ELAC.

We were honored to welcome back Diego Barba (UCSD, Psychology), Miriam Hart (CSULA, Cellular & Molecular Biology), Aiden Hofmann (UCSD, Neuroscience), Connie Ho (UCLA, Mechanical Engineering), and Madeline Hong (CSUN, Psychology)—all Class of 2021 graduates who earned their AA before finishing high school. A special shout-out to our audience member Kaiden Hong (MKHS ’25), who completed his AA in Computer Science Information Technology and is now pursuing a Bachelor’s in Automotive Technology at Rio Hondo College. Kaiden rose to the challenge when he was asked to share his experience to answer a parent audience member's question.

Thank you to all our alumni for inspiring the next generation of ECP students!

9th Grade – Explore & Build Foundations

• Career Key Assessment → Explore Careers to discover careers that match your personality type.

• College Match Survey → College Search to see which campuses align with your interests.

• Add to Portfolio → Upload a copy of your first semester goals or reflections under My Portfolio.

10th Grade – Connect Interests to Options

• Major Exploration → Use Career Clusters to see majors tied to careers you’re curious about.

• Scholarship Exploration → Browse the Scholarship Search to flag opportunities you might qualify for in the future.

• Pathway Check → Review your Course Plan and confirm your classes keep you on track for A–G.

11th Grade – Prep for Applications

• College Compare → Use Side-by-Side Comparison to evaluate UC, CSU, CCC, and private options.

• Application Center Practice → Application Center → Preview sample UC/CSU/CCC apps to get familiar before next fall.

• Resume Builder → Add jobs, volunteering, or awards into My Portfolio so you have a polished resume ready.

12th Grade – Submit & Apply

• UC/CSU Applications Open! → Start your UC or CSU application in the Application Center.

• Financial Aid Ready → Use Financial Aid Tools to prep documents for FAFSA/CADAA (priority deadline is April 2).

• Scholarships in Motion → Search and apply through Scholarship Search. Aim to submit at least 2 this month!

• Finalize College List → Save your target, match, and reach schools in College Search.

CTE Advisor (Roving)
Jose Cervantes

jimenez_jose@ausd.us

CLICK here to book an appointment with Mr. Cervantes

Servicing all 3 high schools:

AHS - Monday/Wednesday

MKHS - Tuesday/Friday

SGHS - Thursday