Dr. Richard A. Vladovic Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy

Tucked into the working-class harbor community of Wilmington in South Los Angeles, Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy is one of those schools that quietly redefines what's possible in an area that doesn't always make the headlines for academic achievement. It's a magnet-style program where students earn college credits while training for careers in education, so it tends to attract motivated, purpose-driven teens who already know they want to make a difference in the world. Families who are serious about academics but want something beyond the typical college-prep track — a school with a genuine mission and a tight-knit community — will find a lot to love here.