Warren High reimagined its schedule, expanded college credit options, and boosted student success. See how bold leadership made it happen.
Creating Access Through a Smarter Schedule
Warren High School, a large, urban school in Southern California serving 3,600 students with 72 percent of students identified as socioeconomically disadvantaged, set out to expand opportunity and strengthen outcomes for every student.
Partnering with Focused Schools, the principal and leadership team used data and collective inquiry to reimagine how to provide both support and challenge within the regular school day. Together, they recognized that offering interventions and college-level courses only after school left too many students behind.
With coaching and collaborative problem-solving, the team adopted a 7-period schedule in an 8 period block, allowing students to earn up to 280 credits over four years. This structure created time for targeted interventions and on-campus college credit courses through a new partnership with the local community college. The team also focused on building teacher capacity, especially in math and Advanced Placement.
Results that matter
Three years later, the impact is undeniable. Since implementing the block schedule in 2021–22, Warren High has seen remarkable academic growth, expanded access to college pathways, and stronger support for the whole child.
Leadership That Shares the Load
Perhaps the most important shift was cultural. A school once reliant on one principal is now guided by a unified Instructional Leadership Team that takes responsibility for student success.
This transformation shows how coaching, aligned systems, and empowered leadership can remove barriers and open new doors for students.
Ready to strengthen leadership and expand opportunity for every student?
Connect with Focused Schools to get started. #IgniteTransformativeChange
