Bolsa Grande High School Freshmen Take On Six-Week Law School Experience

Several Bolsa Grande displaying participant award from a six-week law school experience.

Bolsa Grande High School freshmen are taking on a six-week law school experience through a unique partnership between the high school and the Saturday Academy of Law (SAL) program at the University of California, Irvine (UCI).  Students began the program on Saturday, February 3 at UCI.

“This is a unique opportunity for students to gain a wealth of knowledge about the legal profession,” said Lan Nguyen, Board of Education vice president.  “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 teaches the class with support from UCI undergraduate teaching assistants and UCI law students. 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.

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 offered to freshman students who are in honors English and Honors World History. Each Bolsa Grande student who applied for the program impressed the UCI program coordinator and all applicants were accepted. 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 participate in a banquet and students receive awards in various categories.