It’s the first day of high school, and the campus is buzzing. Schedules have been released on Home Access Center. The bell rings for first period, and now all your friends have split up for their respective classes. One heads to biology through the STEM program. Another heads to to Advanced Placement (AP) Drawing through the Granada Guaranteed Curriculum (GGC) program. The International Baccalaureate (IB) friend goes to Theory of Knowledge.
At Granada Hills Charter (GHC), those choices aren’t accidents. Rather, they are part of the school’s seven academic programs, or “pathways.”
Each pathway offers students the chance to shape their high school experience around their interests and goals.
“Although each program has its own focus, all of them cultivate essential skills and spark curiosity that prepare students for a wide range of future possibilities,” Director of Counseling Christopher Lee said.
Global Business and Finance (GBF)
Global Business Finance (GBF) specifically caters to future entrepreneurs. Its curriculum emphasizes analytical thinking and career readiness to prepare students for the “twenty-first century workplace climate.”
Classroom activities in various GBF classes include simulations that mirror real-world activities ranging from fashion to sports entertainment.
The program also gives students the chance to earn professional licenses.
Each year some GBF students participate in the International Career Development Conference where they present mock businesses to a panel of judges.
“I’ve always wanted to own a business and dive into real estate so the amount of opportunities given in GBF inspire me to reach those goals,” sophomore Isabella Mottos said.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
The STEM program is geared toward students who are passionate about scientific research, engineering, and/or technology. Students typically commit to four years of both math and science, with electives like robotics and biotechnology available through dual enrollment. The program rewards students with college and career readiness in real-life scientific fields. Senior STEM students culminate with a final research project on the subject of their choosing to test their knowledge, reflectiveness, and inquiry.
“I am particularly interested in the T or Technology of STEM where I can explore computer science and the nuances of advanced math,” sophomore Amira Islam said.
New Media Academy (NMA)
New Media Academy appeals to the artistic and creative students on campus. Students explore filmmaking, theater, visual arts, and broadcast journalism, supported by field trips to studios, museums, and live performances. Students in NMA are also engaged with digital elements as well as physical ones. Projects like CP Broadcasting’s “In Case You Missed It” (ICYMI) give NMA students practical experience in digital and creative production.
“Joining New Media gave me an opportunity to experiment with Photoshop and really helped me to create more designs than I would get in traditional classes,” junior Erin Lewis said.
Granada Guaranteed Curriculum (GGC)
GGC is the most flexible of GHC’s programs, and the most popular on campus. Students can chart their own course, selecting from the full catalog of GHC classes, while working with counselors to balance rigor and personal interests, especially through electives. The unrestricted access to GHC’s full catalog of classes helps students create a curated course-load.
“I chose it because I wanted freedom with the AP classes I chose so that I could pursue the career I wanted,” sophomore Richard Azarian said.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
The IB Program is recognized as one of the most rigorous options. It includes an optional introductory Middle Years Program (MYP) for students in grades 6 to 10, preparing students for the Diploma Program (DP) in grades 11 and 12. Diploma candidates commit to a two-year curriculum that combines service projects, core courses, and unique requirements like Theory of Knowledge. Students develop into confident leaders and well-rounded scholars, benefiting their applications to top-tier universities.
“The perfect mix of academic challenge and social engagement really appealed to me about IB,” senior Diego Iniguez said. “I would recommend it to anyone who’s willing to put the work in and explore like-minded people.”
iGranada
For students balancing commitments outside of school, iGranada provides a fully online pathway. The program emphasizes self-reliance and time management, as students often work at their own pace on a pre-set curriculum. Students in iGranada still have full access to all clubs and team activities on campus, along with the independence of online courses.
“The program has helped me become more self-disciplined and motivated when it comes to taking charge of my education,” sophomore Elena Zamyatina said. “Advisors are present to assist with a majority of the school work, but you have the option of doing it at any time of day.”