Ednovate Announces School Renaming in Partnership with USC

Ednovate is proud to announce the renaming of two of its Los Angeles campuses in partnership with the University of Southern California (USC).

• East College Prep will become USC East College Prep

• South LA College Prep will become USC South LA College Prep
  

This milestone reflects the deep and longstanding relationship between Ednovate and USC. The first Ednovate school—USC Hybrid High—was founded in partnership with USC’s Rossier School of Education in 2012. Since then, the collaboration has remained rooted in a shared commitment to equity, innovation, and college access for students in historically underserved communities.

“As a USC Trojan alum, I am proud of USC's deep commitment to serving its neighboring communities, especially those in need, while also innovating in the public school system,” said Oliver Sicat, CEO of Ednovate. “By becoming a naming partner with Ednovate, we can ensure East and South LA will continue to have access to high quality education options that can create Positive Multigenerational Change for generations to come.”

Strengthening College Identity and Opportunity

USC East College Prep is located just minutes from USC’s Health Sciences Campus, creating proximity to unique programming opportunities and stronger connections to higher education resources.

“This change reflects both the accomplishments and aspirations of our school community,” said Andrew Martinez, Principal of USC East College Prep.

USC South LA College Prep, located five miles from USC’s main campus, has long fostered a strong college-going culture. The new name reinforces that identity.

“Our students are proud to carry the USC name,” said Principal Jaron Roberson, known to students as Mr. Rob. “It reinforces their belief that they belong on a college campus and that the path begins right here in South LA.”

A Shared Commitment to Equity and Excellence

Pedro Noguera, Emery Stoops and Joyce King Stoops Dean of the Rossier School of Education and Distinguished Professor of Education at USC, shared: “We are proud to deepen our partnership with Ednovate. USC has long been invested in the success of students from East and South LA, and we believe this naming reflects our continued commitment to those communities and partnership with Ednovate.”

Ednovate board members also emphasized the importance of this milestone.

Tammara “Tammy” Seabrook Anderson described the renaming as “a powerful affirmation of the excellence, innovation, and college-going culture nurtured by Ednovate that is thriving in these communities.”

Dr. Robin Romans, Ednovate Board Member and USC academic leader, called the change “substantive,” noting that it reflects shared values and a collective belief that all students deserve the opportunity to thrive.

What This Means for Students and FamilieS

The renaming does not impact curriculum, staffing, governance, or school leadership. Both campuses will continue delivering the high-quality college-preparatory education families expect.

What it does provide is strengthened brand recognition, expanded college access programming, and an even clearer signal to students: college is within reach.

At Ednovate, we believe Positive Multigenerational Change begins with opportunity. This partnership ensures that students in East and South Los Angeles continue to see themselves as scholars, leaders, and future college graduates.

And now, that vision is reflected in their school names.