L.A. teen graduates early from online public school, receives multiple college acceptance letters

As students across the country prepare to embark on the next chapter of their lives, one Los Angeles teen who took the nontraditional path finds himself with no shortage of options.

Through iQ Academy of Los Angeles (iQLA), 17-year-old Ean Okpechi was able to attend public school full-time in a completely remote environment and begin laying the groundwork for a future in biomedical engineering.

The flexibility of iQLA allowed the Pacoima teen to graduate high school early while taking college-level dual enrollment courses, officials said.

Ean has already been accepted to Cal State Northridge, Cal State Long Beach and UC Merced, and he plans to start college this fall. His long-term goal is to transfer to UCLA or USC and pursue a career in biomedical engineering and dermatology, inspired by his older sister, who lives with discoid lupus.

He began online school in eighth grade during the pandemic to protect his health. He says he quickly found that the flexible, personalized environment helped him thrive both academically and personally, and allowed him to pursue his education in a way that works best for him.

“I honestly feel like I’m doing way better now than I would have if I went to in-person school,” he said.

The program also allowed him to discover new interests like boxing and biotechnology.

The program at iQLA is tuition free, and the school says the program is designed to meet students where they are and provide access to credentialed teachers, live virtual classes and a a curriculum that meets California state standards. The school also provides support services for students with learning difference and other specialized needs.

Ean’s story demonstrates how students can “thrive when provided with the right environment and support system,” one school representative said.