Westcliff Preparatory Academy Offers High School Students The Unique Opportunity to Participate in Collegiate-Level Academics and Athletics
Partnered with Westcliff University, Westcliff Prep Academy Provides Dual-Enrollment and Experiential Learning
Opportunities; Fostering Entrepreneurship and Cultivating the Next Generation of Leaders
IRVINE, CALIF. (AUGUST 04, 2021) – Westcliff University, a leader in innovative higher education today announced
the launch of Westcliff Preparatory Academy (WPA), a new high school designed to develop young leaders in the
areas of entrepreneurship and technology. The students of WPA earn their high school diploma while building
critical skills for success in the workforce of tomorrow with a focus on real-world problem solving, effective
communication and professional collaboration. The academy provides students with a unique experience that
more closely resembles a university while offering flexible scheduling, remote learning options and access to
experienced mentors and tutors. Students are taught by experienced university professors that are committed
to working in partnership with them and their families to create personalized pathways to success.
“Westcliff Preparatory Academy’s foundation is rooted in cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset and equipping
students with the leadership skills and technological expertise to advance their career potential and make a
significant impact in tomorrow’s ever-changing landscape,” said Dr. Anthony Lee, CEO and president of WPA and
Westcliff University. “Our interactive curriculum teaches students to think critically about issues that affect the
world—equipping graduates to think outside the box, creatively solve problems and take calculated risks,
ensuring their studies remain relevant to the world we live in.”
At WPA, university faculty provide guidance and insight to students as they define their own goals and take
ownership of their education. With the option of being dually enrolled at Westcliff University, students are able
to earn college credits during high school to maximize their time and accelerate their learning. The curriculum
focuses on transferable, interdisciplinary skills that connect leadership and entrepreneurship to the vast and
growing field of technology; and classwork centers around hands-on projects for students to apply their
knowledge in real-world settings within a supportive classroom environment.
Westcliff Preparatory Academy is an ideal learning environment for students with busy lives and extra-curricular
interests. The forthcoming athletics program gives student-athletes the flexibility to pursue their athletic
passions while also learning valuable skills that perfectly complement college and professional sports pursuits.
WPA student-athletes are mentored by Westcliff University coaches and practice with its college teams
providing elite competitive opportunities. WPA will start with basketball and expand to baseball, softball and a
variety of sports programs in the coming years, which will align with Westcliff University’s current and future
athletic offerings.
“What we offer is unique in many ways,” says Julie Ciancio, Ph.D., chief academic officer and VP of academic
affairs at WPA. “Students who attend this academy will receive university resources, support and mentorship
that isn’t typically available to students their age, while simultaneously earning college credits that can be
transferred to any university. Ultimately, this helps them graduate with a bachelor’s degree quicker and more
affordably than ever before.”
Westcliff Preparatory Academy commences live online instruction in fall 2021. Interested families can join an
upcoming virtual information session. For more information or to enroll, visit https://westcliffprep.org/.
About Westcliff Preparatory Academy: Westcliff Preparatory Academy (WPA) is an innovative high school
program from Westcliff University focused on the in-demand areas of entrepreneurship and technology. WPA
offers dual-enrollment opportunities allowing students to earn college credits, customize their education
pathways and focus on real-world applicable skills. Promoting critical and creative thinking, emotional
intelligence, adaptability and self-discovery, WPA aims to cultivate the next generation of entrepreneurs and
technology leaders who are ready to take on the real-world challenges of tomorrow. To learn more about
Westcliff Preparatory Academy, visit: www.westcliffprep.org/. Follow Westcliff Preparatory Academy on
Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About Westcliff University: Westcliff University is an innovative global higher education institution with its
finger on the pulse of the international business landscape and the needs of today’s employers. Founded in
1993 and based in Irvine, Calif., it offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees spanning 21 areas of study
including business, education, technology, computer science and engineering – and most recently law with the
acquisition of Western State College of Law. Westcliff is a California Public Benefit Corporation which affirms its
dedication to operating in the best interests of its students and the surrounding community. Its programs focus
on both the hard and soft skills needed to secure quality jobs in high-growth industries; it offers community
and business engagement opportunities for the hands-on experience today’s students require; and it provides
innovative and affordable programs live online and in classrooms across the globe. Visit www.westcliff.edu and
www.wsulaw.edu to learn more; and follow Westcliff on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.