Achievement Institute for STEM Scholars   

AISS was founded by retired Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) educator and administrator, Paul Riordan. He was inspired by a gifted student who had dropped out of high school in order to support his family when the student's father passed away. Paul was instrumental in helping the student find a better paying part-time job so he could stay in school. That student not only graduated, he went to law school and became a lawyer. Paul, motivated by the impact he had on the student's life, set a plan in motion that involved successfully collaborating with the SAUSD, strategic community partners and industry businesses. In 1998 Paul Riordan, an educator and administrator with the Santa Ana Unified School District, decided it was time to retire and pursue a lifelong vision, helping kids achieve a better tomorrow. His true passion came to fruition when he worked with school officials and business leaders to design a program allowing low income students an opportunity for higher education in STEM fields. In 2001 AISS was born. AISS concentrates this effort with students from eight high schools in the city of Santa Ana. AISS operates a comprehensive two-year program over the course of the students' junior and senior years of high school. AISS offers 25 economically disadvantaged scholars the competitive tools to enter the most prestigious universities in the country where they will study STEM academic paths. AISS' current and past scholars represent the top 10% in their schools. Most are from hardship areas in Santa Ana and are the first in their families to attend universities. Historically the scholars have been overwhelmingly Hispanic (95%) and female (60%). AISS' program focuses on three major areas: STEM Career Awareness, College Readiness (SAT/ACT preparations, university and scholarship research, advance math tutoring/critical thinking and writing), and Life/Professional Skills (leadership, time management, presentations, business ethics, and networking).