Under the middle college/dual enrollment program, students attend college courses at LAHC alongside high school classes, and can accumulate credits towards one or multiple associate degrees. Freshman and sophomores are automatically enrolled in "contract education" courses, college classes exclusive to VHTPA students. Upon entering junior year, students are allowed to self-enroll in college courses alongside LAHC underclassmen.
In 2002, VHTPA was established as a product of collaboration between Los Angeles Harbor College and LAUSD's Local District 8.[7]
Formerly hosted in a series of bungalows, construction of a multi-story facility was completed in spring of 2019. The academy also received its namesake, former district board member Dr. Richard A. Vladovic for great contributions to its establishment and maintaining.[8]
Demographic
As of the 2018–2019 school year, VHTPA is designated as a predominantly Hispanic, Black, Asian, and Other (PHBAO) School. Hispanic students represent the majority of the student body at 53%, whilst Asian and African-American/Black students trail at 30% and 11% respectively. As approximately 64% of students are eligible for free/reduced-price lunches under the National School Lunch Act, the school receives academic and financial support from Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.[9]
^ ab"ASC WASC Directory of Schools"(PDF). Accrediting Commission for Schools/Western Association of Schools and Colleges. July 2019. Archived(PDF) from the original on 2021-10-04. Retrieved October 3, 2021.