In 1996-'97, more than 90 percent of high school graduates who participated in MESA went on to higher education, Almeida said. Earlier this year, UCI invited teachers from 10 schools to recommend students who show promise. Sycamore Middle School in Anaheim and Anaheim High were among the schools. The remainder of the students came from Compton. Kids in the program attend four-hour workshops for 11 straight Saturdays.
Most activities are on their own campuses.
They return to UCI in June for the final session. You have to give up some things.