Cal State L.A. - MSP Program

Educating Beyond
Boundaries
Many students progress from grade to grade each year without ever thinking about studying math, science, or engineering in college. Perhaps one of the leading reasons for this is that students aren't often encouraged to seek out these academic areas.

Cal State L.A.'s MESA/MSP (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement Schools Program) was created in 1978 to stimulate early interest in math, science, and engineering and to recruit students to pursue these subject areas in college. MSP targets elementary, middle, and senior high school students. Through a variety of interactive events, hands-on activities, and educational projects, MSP students are guided in a college-bound direction, receiving regular support and encouragement from staff and advisors.

One of the cornerstones of MSP is the placement of an adviser on each campus. The adviser, who is typically a math or science teacher, provides weekly academic assistance and guidance, helping students excel in college prerequisite courses.

Cal State L.A.'s MSP serves 10 senior high schools, seven junior high schools, and one elementary school in the Los Angeles, Pasadena, and San Gabriel Unified School districts. Approximately 600 students participate in Cal State L.A.'s MSP. A full 80 percent of graduating MESA high school students continue on to a four-year university, and nearly 67 percent of these students study a discipline based on math or science.

The list of successful MESA/MSP students is growing. Each year, more and more students are eager to participate in MSP, and there are plenty of good reasons why. The program is fun, educational and clearly it works! TOP

MSP Is Here for Students!
Cal State L.A.'s MESA Schools Program (MSP) is built upon a variety of resources and activities for students. The following are just a few of MSP's features:

Organized Group Study
Students are taught techniques to develop strong academic skills and are encouraged to help each other learn through organized group activities.

Academic and Financial Aid Advising
MSP students receive advisement in taking college prerequisite courses, as well as assistance in completing the college application process. Students and their families can also receive counseling on ways to finance a college education and where to look for academic scholarships.

Enrichment Programs
Workshops, field trips, guest speaker engagements, summer employment opportunities, student competitions you name it! If it encourages students to consider studying math, science, or engineering, it's an MSP event. After-school hours, weekends, and summers are all filled with MSP-sponsored activities.

Career Exploration Opportunities
MSP exposes students to the practical application of an education in math, science, or engineering by introducing them to the professional environment. Students in the program take field trips to industry locations and university campuses, and are given opportunities to hear professionals speak about their careers.

Family Involvement
Parents and guardians are kept informed of MSP activities and how they can help support their child's academic progress. Parents are given opportunities to get involved in everything from field trips to academics.

Teacher Training
MSP trains academic advisers who work directly with MESA students, exposing them to teaching techniques and hands-on activities. Among the teacher-training activities, a three-day MESA Advisors Training Institute gathers advisers together to meet and learn from each other. TOP

MSP Schools at Cal State L.A.
Senior High Schools
Bell (Los Angeles Unified School District [LAUSD])
Blair (Pasadena Unified School District [PUSD])
Gabrielino (San Gabriel Unified School District [SGUSD])
Huntington Park (LAUSD)
Lincoln (LAUSD)
Marshall (LAUSD)
Muir (PUSD)
Pasadena (PUSD)
Roosevelt (LAUSD)
Wilson (LAUSD)

Middle Schools
Belvedere (LAUSD)
Eliot (PUSD)
Gage (LAUSD)
Nightingale (LAUSD)
Stevenson (LAUSD)
Washington (PUSD)
Wilson (PUSD)

Elementary Schools
Loreto Street (LAUSD)

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