SOAR High School - Lancaster, CA

SOAR (Students On Academic Rise) High School is a partnership between Antelope Valley Union High School District and Antelope Valley College. This Early College High School program enables students, particularly low-income and minority students, to experience a rigorous high school and college program. Since its founding in 2006, SOAR has been recognized by district, state, and national organizations for its outstanding achievements. In 2014, it was named one of the best high schools in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and recognized with the Gold Ribbon Award from the CDE just one year after winning the Golden Bell from the CSBA. In 2015, approximately 65 percent of SOAR’s Senior Class earned an associate degree in addition to their high school diploma.

SOAR constantly ranks high when it comes to academics and performance, but it is the wealth of activities that provide a well-rounded program. Since its inception, a number of new clubs and offerings have been added to appeal to the varied interests of its student body. A few of the most popular are the InvenTeam, Journalism, Key Club, Mock Trial, NHS, QSA, SOAR Ambassadors, Speech Club, and VPAC. The members of SOAR’s clubs not only help their community but have brought back several awards, including, but not limited to: a $10,000 grant from Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams for its alcohol monitoring bracelet, a first place award in the Black365 Knowledge Bowl, a second place in the districtwide Mock Trial, and several awards and titles earned by its Robotics Team.