MetWest Sets a High Bar for Excellence
By Damien Basey, School Partnership Manager

In my professional experience working as a college access partner, some of the most critical questions schools face, particularly in public education include, “What do young people need in order to successfully transition into a relevant post-secondary plan after high school?” The leadership, faculty, and staff of MetWest High School in Oakland, CA seem to have a few answers for us that should leave little to no doubt in the minds of critics. And if it does, the numbers don’t lie.

Met West High School is part of the Big Picture Learning Network, which prides itself in holding Oakland youth to big expectations while providing them with the tools and resources necessary to meet such expectations. The Big Picture schools design is a dynamic approach to learning that engages youth in developing reasoning and problem solving skills while being active members of the community

One of MetWest’s big expectations for students includes readiness for post-secondary study. All students are required to take college entrance exams, complete and submit financial aid forms, and apply to at least four colleges.  These expectations along with rigorous academics have contributed to MetWest continuously having some of the highest graduation and college going rates in Oakland Unified today.

While MetWest understands the need to establish big goals for their students, they also know that this is only part of the solution.  An essential part of the MetWest experience is the support network that students find amongst the loving and caring adults that foster and challenge them throughout high school.  A powerful support model students have in place is the College Center which was created to serve as a “college going hub”.  This Center is always staffed by trained college student advisors who serve as role models for students. These student advisors advise students on college options, A-G requirements, and provide intensive support on all college related applications. College Student advisors, many of whom are first generation and low income (as many of MetWest students are) also often share their own experiences with transitioning  from high school to college, college life, and academic rigors.

At College Summit, the tools and resources developed to support school partners like MetWest are designed to inspire and encourage dynamic learning with underlying guiding principles at its core. Some of those principles include concepts of self advocacy, college understanding, and financial awareness. While MetWest has taken those tools and utilized them to the fullest, it is the embodiment of the ideas behind the tools that MetWest has made its own.  As students of MetWest prepare to become the leaders of tomorrow, it is through this established culture that students discover the power in their voice, actions, and presence in the world. Keep up the good work MetWest High!