Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine, figures in the music industry and long-time philanthropists announced their collaboration with the Inglewood Unified School District to open a new high school focused on creative skills and social impact.
Set to launch in the summer of 2025, this initiative aims to rejuvenate a district facing declining enrollment and financial challenges.
A Bold Initiative for Creative and Entrepreneurial Learning
The new school, named the Iovine and Young Center, will be located on the site of Crozier Middle School, which is slated to close in June 2025.
The center, which has a focus on design, technology and entrepreneurship, will begin with ninth-grade students and gradually expand to include grades 10 through 12 by 2028.
The curriculum will emphasize creative skill development, entrepreneurial thinking, and real-world problem-solving, culminating in a senior-year capstone project.
As stated on their website, the students will have access to innovative technologies and opportunities to collaborate with top educators, industry experts, and executives.
This project aims to equip students with the tools to address real-world challenges and make a meaningful impact in their communities.
“We wanted to start in the inner city, because Dre and especially me, I owe a lot to the inner city of Los Angeles, and we intend to pay it back,” Iovine stated, according to the LA Times.
Addressing Declining Enrollment and Revitalizing Inglewood Schools
The Inglewood Unified School District has struggled with declining enrollment and financial instability for years.
Many middle-class families have opted to send their children to charter schools or Los Angeles district schools, while low-income families face increasing rent costs and limited options.
This new school is part of a broader effort to revitalize the district and make Inglewood schools a desirable choice for parents once again.
Feature Image Credit: Kenneth Cappello
