COMPTON HIGH SCHOOL JOINS IOVINE AND YOUNG CENTER NETWORK
Transformative Partnership Expands Opportunities for Compton Scholars Through Hands-On Learning, Innovation, and Career Pathways
COMPTON, CA – June 24, 2026 — Compton Unified School District announced that Compton
High School has been selected to join the prestigious Iovine and Young Center (IYC) Network,
with programming set to launch in the 2026–27 school year with a cohort of 60 freshmen and
will continue to build yearly after that.
Modeled after the USC Iovine and Young Academy—founded by Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre—the
IYC program develops interdisciplinary, tech-savvy leaders through a transformative curriculum
rooted in design thinking and challenge-based learning. Scholars engage in hands-on, real-
world experiences that integrate arts, technology, and business to solve complex problems and
develop industry-relevant skills.
“I’m excited to deepen my partnership with Compton Unified School District through the launch
of this program at Compton High School,” said Dr. Dre. “This is personal for me—Compton is
home, and this is the school district that helped shape who I am. I’m proud to continue investing in the future of this community by building on the work we’ve already done at Compton High School and helping create opportunities that prepare students for real success. When I was growing up, programs like this didn’t exist. It’s incredibly meaningful to help open doors for the next generation and show them what’s possible.”
“On behalf of Compton Unified School District, I want to extend our deepest gratitude to Dr. Dre
and Jimmy Iovine for their extraordinary commitment to the scholars and families of Compton,”
said CUSD Board of Trustees President Micah Ali. “When Dr. Dre helped make the new Compton High School a reality, he did more than invest in a building—he invested in the belief that Compton students deserve access to world-class opportunities. Today, with the opening of the Iovine and Young Center, that vision comes full circle. What began as an investment in a campus now evolves into an enduring legacy of innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship that will shape generations of scholars to come.”
“This center represents the future of education—one that empowers students to think boldly,
create fearlessly, and solve real-world challenges,” President Ali continued. “Dr. Dre’s
unwavering commitment to his hometown, combined with Jimmy Iovine’s visionary leadership,
is ensuring that Compton students are not simply preparing for the future—they are helping to
build it. Together, they are creating pathways that will extend far beyond our classrooms and
leave a lasting impact on our city, our region, and the industries these young innovators will one
day lead.”
“At Compton Unified, we are seeing record-setting gains in student achievement, with rising test
scores and academic outcomes across the district,” said Superintendent Dr. Darin Brawley. “The
addition of the Iovine and Young Center will further accelerate that momentum by engaging
scholars in rigorous, real-world learning that connects directly to their futures. This program will
not only inspire our scholars but also invigorate academic performance by making learning more
relevant, dynamic, and purpose driven.”
IYC’s axis is its innovative educational model with practical, team-based learning opportunities
within its program of study. It gives high school scholars a competitive advantage in the new age
of academic and career paths. IYC’s four-year program fosters valuable skills, such as creative
problem-solving, discovery, teamwork, and critical thinking, and teaches the fundamentals of
design, technology, and entrepreneurship.
During freshman year, scholars learn graphic design essentials like Adobe Photoshop, 3D
modeling, and website design and begin to build their portfolios. Sophomore year introduces
computation and programming language.
In junior year, essential business and entrepreneurial skills are explored with coursework in
financial and competitive analysis, business planning, and disruptive innovation. Senior year
involves students working on a capstone project.
Early outcomes from existing Iovine and Young Center programs highlight strong student
success, including 89 percent attendance, 87.5 percent English proficiency, 34 percent math
proficiency, a 100 percent graduation rate for its first graduating class, and a 0 percent
suspension rate—outperforming district averages in each category.
Scholars from the Iovine and Young Center Network model have gone on to careers with global
companies such as Apple, Google, Adidas, Adobe, Meta, Spotify, DreamWorks, Sony, Imagine
Entertainment, and Verizon. Alumni have also made an impact across education, healthcare,
and nonprofit sectors, while affiliated entrepreneurs have raised more than $120 million in investment funding.
The Iovine and Young Education Group has expanded rapidly since 2021, opening its first
campus in Leimert Park, Los Angeles in 2022, and growing to additional locations across the
country, including Denver, New York, Charlotte, Miami, Atlanta, and Inglewood.
The launch of the Iovine and Young Center at Compton High School marks a significant
milestone in the District’s mission to empower students with the skills, experiences, and
opportunities needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
About Compton Unified School District
Compton Unified School District (CUSD) serves thousands of students across Compton and
parts of Carson and Los Angeles. Ranked #1 in California for academic achievement among
districts of similar size and demographics, CUSD boasts a 94% graduation rate, 95% college
acceptance, and numerous award-winning schools, including National Blue Ribbon and
California Distinguished Schools. For more information, visit http://www.compton.k12.ca.us
Iovine and Young Education Group
IYEG.org
Compton Schools #Elevate
We believe in Compton Scholars.
Contact:
John Stouffer
CUSD Director of Communications
jstouffer@compton.k12.ca.us
Office: 310-639-4321 x67602 Cell: 310-735-1768
