Lakers head coach Byron Scott announced Tuesday that he will serve as a mentor for ninth- and 10th-grade students involved in the Male Academy intervention program at Centennial High School in Compton.
The program is aimed at keeping kids in school, improving their performance in the classroom and bolstering graduation rates.
“We are very grateful for the many community partners who strengthen our schools’ efforts to provide the best for our students,” said Darin Brawley, superintendent of the Compton Unified School District. “As an athlete, coach and an educated man, (Scott) is someone our young men can look up to and learn from.”
As a mentor, Scott will take part in motivational discussions with the students over the course of the school year. He spoke to students at the school last year, discussing how he was mentored by his principal, Jesse Jones, who is now principal at Centennial High School.
Jones said 200 students have taken part in the Male Academy program.
“In the last four years we’ve seen a tremendous decrease in suspensions, an increase in academic performance and attendance and higher graduation rates,” Jones said. “… Having Byron’s support will only make things better for our students.”
