Compton High School Joins Iovine and Young Center Network
Media Release
Transformative Partnership Expands Opportunities for Compton Scholars Through Hands-On Learning, Innovation, and Career Pathways
Compton Unified School District announced that Compton High School has been selected to join the prestigious Iovine and Young Center (IYC) Network, with programming set to launch in the 2026–27 school year with a cohort of 60 freshmen and will continue to build yearly after that.
CUSD Board President Micah Ali and Dr. Dre with Compton High School Marching Band.
Modeled after the USC Iovine and Young Academy—founded by Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre—the IYC program develops interdisciplinary, tech-savvy leaders through a transformative curriculum rooted in design thinking and challenge-based learning. Scholars engage in hands-on, real-world experiences that integrate arts, technology, and business to solve complex problems and develop industry-relevant skills.
Dr. Dre at the Compton High School Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.
“I’m excited to deepen my partnership with Compton Unified School District through the launch of this program at Compton High School,” said Dr. Dre. “This is personal for me—Compton is home, and this is the school district that helped shape who I am. I’m proud to continue investing in the future of this community by building on the work we’ve already done at Compton High School and helping create opportunities that prepare students for real success. When I was growing up, programs like this didn’t exist. It’s incredibly meaningful to help open doors for the next generation and show them what’s possible.”
“On behalf of Compton Unified School District, I want to extend our deepest gratitude to Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine for their extraordinary commitment to the scholars and families of Compton,” said CUSD Board of Trustees President Micah Ali. “When Dr. Dre helped make the new Compton High School a reality, he did more than invest in a building—he invested in the belief that Compton students deserve access to world-class opportunities. Today, with the opening of the Iovine and Young Center, that vision comes full circle. What began as an investment in a campus now evolves into an enduring legacy of innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship that will shape generations of scholars to come.”
Dr. Dre with Compton Unified Board Member Satra Zurita and CUSD Board of Trustees President Micah Ali.
“This center represents the future of education—one that empowers students to think boldly, create fearlessly, and solve real-world challenges,” President Ali continued. “Dr. Dre’s unwavering commitment to his hometown, combined with Jimmy Iovine’s visionary leadership, is ensuring that Compton students are not simply preparing for the future—they are helping to build it. Together, they are creating pathways that will extend far beyond our classrooms and leave a lasting impact on our city, our region, and the industries these young innovators will one day lead.”
“At Compton Unified, we are seeing record-setting gains in student achievement, with rising test scores and academic outcomes across the district,” said Superintendent Dr. Darin Brawley. “The addition of the Iovine and Young Center will further accelerate that momentum by engaging scholars in rigorous, real-world learning that connects directly to their futures. This program will not only inspire our scholars but also invigorate academic performance by making learning more relevant, dynamic, and purpose driven.”
Compton High School's Andre "Dr. Dre" Young Performing Arts Center.
IYC’s axis is its innovative educational model with practical, team-based learning opportunities within its program of study. It gives high school scholars a competitive advantage in the new age of academic and career paths. IYC’s four-year program fosters valuable skills, such as creative problem-solving, discovery, teamwork, and critical thinking, and teaches the fundamentals of design, technology, and entrepreneurship.
During freshman year, scholars learn graphic design essentials like Adobe Photoshop, 3D modeling, and website design and begin to build their portfolios. Sophomore year introduces computation and programming language.
CUSD Board of Trustees President Micah Ali and Dr. Dre with the Compton High School Band.
In junior year, essential business and entrepreneurial skills are explored with coursework in financial and competitive analysis, business planning, and disruptive innovation. Senior year involves students working on a capstone project.
Early outcomes from existing Iovine and Young Center programs highlight strong student success, including 89 percent attendance, 87.5 percent English proficiency, 34 percent math proficiency, a 100 percent graduation rate for its first graduating class, and a 0 percent suspension rate—outperforming district averages in each category.
Scholars from the Iovine and Young Center Network model have gone on to careers with global companies such as Apple, Google, Adidas, Adobe, Meta, Spotify, DreamWorks, Sony, Imagine Entertainment, and Verizon. Alumni have also made an impact across education, healthcare, and nonprofit sectors, while affiliated entrepreneurs have raised more than $120 million in investment funding.
The Iovine and Young Education Group has expanded rapidly since 2021, opening its first campus in Leimert Park, Los Angeles in 2022, and growing to additional locations across the country, including Denver, New York, Charlotte, Miami, Atlanta, and Inglewood.
The launch of the Iovine and Young Center at Compton High School marks a significant milestone in the District’s mission to empower students with the skills, experiences, and opportunities needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.