Compton Unified School District (CUSD) Board of Trustees President Micah Ali was recently featured on the Better Leaders Better Schools Podcast hosted by Danny Bauer, engaging in an educational and thought-provoking conversation about how Compton Unified has transformed from a district many had written off into one that is now setting the pace for California. With a 94% graduation rate and 95% college acceptance rate, the district’s success story offers valuable lessons in leadership, equity, and student-centered education.

As the longest-serving President in CUSD history and a lifelong Compton resident, President Ali has been a tireless advocate for public education and equity in opportunity. In the podcast, he dismantles outdated mindsets about urban education and shares how Compton Unified rebuilt trust with the community, redefined expectations for its scholars, and implemented ethical approaches to equity that go beyond buzzwords.

President Ali highlighted three key shifts that have driven the district’s transformation:

Focus on Scholars, Not Adult Comfort: Urban education is often blamed for failing because of zip codes or funding gaps, but Compton Unified shifted the focus from adult comfort to student success, refocusing priorities and rebuilding community trust.

From Expectations to Examples: Low expectations for scholars in Black and Brown communities were replaced with the belief that scholars can be examples of excellence. This mindset has fueled high participation in STEAM programs, national recognition, and record-breaking graduation rates.

Replacing Buzzwords with Ethics: Diversity and equity initiatives often remain aspirational, but Compton Unified prioritized ethics, ensuring every scholar receives what they need—not because it is politically correct, but because it is the right thing to do.

Through these strategies, President Ali demonstrates that putting scholars first, raising expectations, and leading with ethics can create lasting, meaningful impact across the Compton Unified community.

“Compton is what the future looks like. Our scholars are not expectations—they are examples,” Ali said during the conversation.

The full podcast is available on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube: https://youtu.be/I1kjnJq95L0?si=xejd-QZZ2MudS6Qa