Through the College Avenue Compact (CAC) partnership, the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) aims to enhance educational outreach to the Hoover High School community, focusing on reducing equity gaps through various pathways to San Diego State University (SDSU). The CAC, initiated in 2011, promotes college readiness and guaranteed admission to SDSU if students meet established criteria. The recent renewal of this agreement extends guaranteed admission to Hoover graduates through the Class of 2028. The recent renewal of this agreement at the Parma Payne Goodall SDSU Alumni Center extends guaranteed admission to Hoover graduates through the Class of 2028.

SDSU President Adela de la Torre and SDUSD Deputy Superintendent Fabiola Bagula shake hands after the ceremonial signing of the CAC renewal.

“Our foundation is grateful for the continued partnership with SDSU and San Diego Unified and the benefits the College Avenue Compact will provide to the next generation of Hoover High School graduates,” said Jennette Lawrence Shay, Price Philanthropies Chief Operating Officer.

The requirements for guaranteed admission to SDSU are maintaining a 3.0 GPA which will evolve to 3.2 for the Class of 2028, demonstrating readiness in English and math, satisfactorily completing A-G coursework required by the California State University system, and continuous enrollment at Hoover from 9th through 12th grade. Starting this fall, 31 out of 60 incoming freshmen from Hoover’s class of 2024 will benefit from the CAC, ensuring they receive the necessary academic support and resources to thrive at SDSU through the Price-funded program Avenues for Success.

Avenues For Success staff pose for a group photo at the Parma Payne Goodall SDSU Alumni Center

“Our family has always been very concerned about equity and opportunity for people who come from more challenged backgrounds,” said Robert Price, Price Philanthropies President, in an interview with KPBS.

KPBS Reporter Katie Anastas interviews Price Philanthropies President Robert Price.

By renewing the CAC, SDUSD aims to enhance educational outreach to the Hoover High School community, focusing on reducing equity gaps through various pathways to SDSU. 

“The college application process can be an especially stressful time for prospective students, regardless of their academic record and accomplishments,” said Fabiola Bagula, SDUSD Deputy Superintendent. “The continuation of this partnership for qualifying Hoover High School students provides certainty, clarity, and calmness in knowing their hard work assures them a spot at a top-ranked university.”

SDSU, as part of the agreement, will also collaborate with Hoover Community Connections partners to communicate the guaranteed admission and its program requirements to all students, parents, teachers, staff and community members, provide workshops for Hoover students on careers in STEM education, plan and implement campus visits, high school visits and assemblies for students, work with Hoover staff to create annual campus visits for on-track Hoover freshmen, and provide SDSU-approved seminar programs for first-year CAC students. 

“We take much pride in providing college access to students from our local community, and this renewal is intended to support both access and closing equity gaps,” said Stefan Hyman, SDSU Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management. “We look forward to enrolling and graduating more students from Hoover High School in the years to come.”

For more information regarding school-based programs supported by Price Philanthropies, please visit here.