A group of Bolsa Grande High School freshmen are participating in a six-week law school program through a partnership between the high school and Saturday Academy of Law (SAL) at UC Irvine.
SAL is providing ninth-grade students with the opportunity to improve their reading, writing and critical thinking skills while learning more about the legal profession and higher education opportunities. Students began the program on Feb. 3.
“This is a unique opportunity for students to gain a wealth of knowledge about the legal profession,” said Garden Grove Unified School Board Vice President Lan Nguyen. “This program could inspire future Supreme Court justices, lawyers, and decision makers who will alter the course of history.”
Bolsa Grande High School teacher Greg Shadid is teaching the class with support from UCI undergraduate teaching assistants and UCI law students.
SAL students hear from various guest speakers, including Superior Court Judges, law firm attorneys, and government and public interest attorneys. At the culmination of the six-week program, students participate in a debate which is judged by six Superior Court judges who also help students prepare for the debate.
The program is being offered to freshman students who are in honors English and honors world history. This is the second group of freshmen participating in SAL, as the first group completed the program in the fall. At the end of the program, students and families will be invited to a banquet where will students will receive awards in various categories.