UCLA MESA Program
About
The UCLA MESA College Prep Program is one of 19 university centers in the Mathematics Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA) Statewide organization. MESA’s mission is to enable economically disadvantaged students to prepare for and pursue a math-based degree in areas such as science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM).
Beginning in 1997 with only five schools, UCLA CEED’s MESA Program currently serves 20 schools and over 800 students in the Los Angeles Unified and Inglewood Unified School Districts. Please check here to see if MESA is offered at your school!
The UCLA MESA Center continues to work toward engaging and advancing the academic development of educationally disadvantaged student groups with low UC eligibility students in STEM. Each year, efforts are made to further support and enhance the MESA model through supplemental activities for MESA students, advisors, and parents and to increase students’ success and persistence in STEM. These programs include: Math and Science Tutoring to assist students in learning math and science concepts learned in the classes; Saturday Academies, to provide assistance on MESA projects; STEM competitions in the LA area, to gain hands-on experience; Financial Aid Workshops, to provide information on funding college; and pre college Summer Enrichment Programs, enhance student academic preparation for college.
Schools Served by the UCLA MESA Program
| Animo Watts High School | Bret Harte Middle School |
| Birmingham Community Charter High School | Crozier Middle School |
| Fairfax High School | Emerson Middle School |
| Hamilton High School | LACES Middle School |
| Jordan High School | Virgil Middle School |
| LACES High School | Webster Middle School |
| Lawndale High School | Woodworth Monroe Middle School |
| Los Angeles High School | |
| Morningside High School | |
| San Fernando High School | |
| Sylmar High School | |
| Theodore Roosevelt High School | |
| University High School | |
| Venice High School | |
| Westchester Enriched Science Management | |
| Westbrook Academy High School |
Supplemental Programs:
STEM Competitions
To provide students with hands-on experience
Saturday Academies
To provide assistance with MESA projects
Financial Aid Workshops
To provide information about funding college
Pre-College Summer Enrichment Programs
To enhance a student’s academic preparation for college
Each MESA school site is supported by 1-2 teachers who serve as MESA advisors and coordinate STEM activities for enrolled students. In addition, MESA high school students benefit from the support of college counselors who have joined our team of MESA advisors. Culminating the MESA student experience each year is MESA Day. MESA Day is a regional event that engages students in STEM-based MESA competitions to test their design skills and math acuity. MESA projects provide the groundwork for the competitions that are offered during the event.
2025-2026 UCLA MESA Calendar
August 2025
- 8/27: MESA Advisor Meeting
September 2025
- TBD – JPL Invention Challenge Registration Opens
- 9/5: MESA Senior Transcripts Due (Non-LAUSD schools)
- 9/13: Academic Skills Workshop – Time Management
- 9/20: Academic Skills Workshop – Note Taking Skills; UCLA MESA Virtual Parent Meeting
- 9/27: Academic Skills Workshop – Study Habits; SMART MESA Advisor Training
October 2025
- 10/4: Academic Skills Workshop – Study Habits; JPL Invention Challenge Registration Deadline; UCLA MESA Math/Science Tutoring (w/AISES, NSBE, SOLES)
- 10/11: UCLA MESA Math/Science Tutoring (w/AISES, NSBE, SOLES);
- 10/18: UCLA MESA Math Tutoring (w/AISES, NSBE, SOLES)
- 10/25: UCLA MESA Math Tutoring (w/AISES, NSBE, SOLES)
- 10/31: MESA Enrollment Form Due for First Enrollment Census
November 2025
- TBD: Engineers in Training Day (EIT): Hosted by SOLES
- 11/1: UCLA MESA Math/Science Tutoring (w/AISES, NSBE, SOLES)
Virtual Arduino Workshop
- 11/8: UCLA MESA Math Tutoring (w/AISES, NSBE, SOLES); JPL Regional Competition Day
- 11/15: UCLA MESA Math Tutoring (w/AISES, NSBE, SOLES)
- 11/19: MESA Advisors/Counselor Virtual Meeting
- 11/21: MESA Advisor Fall Activity Log Due; MESA Enrollment Form Due for Second Enrollment Census
- 11/22: UCLA MESA Math Tutoring (w/AISES, NSBE, SOLES)
December 2025
- 12/5: JPL Invention Challenge Finals at Jet Propulsion
- TBD: Completing Your FAFSA Workshop
January 2026
- TBD: Winter MESA Advisors/Counselors Meeting
- 1/10: UCLA MESA Math/Science Tutoring (w/AISES, NSBE, SOLES)
- 1/17: UCLA MESA Math/Science Tutoring (w/AISES, NSBE, SOLES)
- 1/23: MESA Enrollment Form Due for Final Enrollment
- 1/24: UCLA MESA Math/Science Tutoring (w/AISES, NSBE, SOLES)
- 1/31: UCLA MESA Math/Science Tutoring (w/AISES, NSBE, SOLES)
February 2026
- TBD: Youth Motivation Day (YMD)- Hosted by AISES
- 2/7: UCLA MESA Math/Science Tutoring (w/ AISES, NSBE, SOLES)
- 2/11: HS MESA Prelims Advisors/Counselors Webinar
- 2/14: UCLA MESA Math/Science Tutoring (w/ AISES, NSBE, SOLES)
- 2/18: MS MESA Prelims Advisors/Counselors Webinar
- 2/21: UCLA MESA Math/Science Tutoring (w/ AISES, NSBE, SOLES)
- 2/28: High School MESA Day Prelims @ UCLA
March 2026
- 3/7:Middle School MESA Day Prelims @ UCLA
- TBD: Choosing the University/Navigating You College Campus Workshop
April 2026
- TBD: MESA Day Regional Competition @ UC Santa Barbara
- 4/4: UCLA MESA Math/Science Tutoring (w/AISES, NSBE, SOLES)
- 4/11: UCLA MESA Math/Science Tutoring (w/AISES, NSBE, SOLES)
- 4/18: UCLA MESA Math/Science Tutoring (w/AISES, NSBE, SOLES)
- 4/20: MESA Advisors Begin Pre-Enrollment Process; Individual Academic Planning Sessions for 8th grade students
- 4/25: UCLA MESA Math/Science Tutoring (w/AISES, NSBE, SOLES)
May 2026
- TBD: Women in Science & Engineering Day (WISE)–Hosted by NSBE; UCLA Admission Info Session
- 5/15: Senior Exit Surveys, Individual Academic Plans & Spring MESA Activity Log Due
- TBD: End of Year MESA Advisor Meeting and Awards
If you have any questions about the MESA Program, email ceed.ucla@gmail.com