2025 UC Scout Annual Report
Supporting students in need
Letter from the What are A - G Requirements?
Executive Director
It is a pleasure to welcome you to the first annual report from UC Scout. This marks an important milestone for our team and the communities we serve. Over the past year, UC Scout has experienced a period of strategic and sustained growth, extending our reach across California and deepening our impact on students, educators, and school communities. As we look back, we see a year defined by purpose, innovation, and a shared commitment to expanding educational opportunity.
This past year brought several important accomplishments and new directions for UC Scout. We sustained and strengthened our A–G approved course catalog and launched new programs and resources to support educators and school leaders across the state. We also invested in research and innovation around course design and delivery technologies, always with the goal of improving the teaching and learning experience. As part of that innovation, we have started to thoughtfully embrace AI tools that have the potential to enhance staff efficiency and improve learning outcomes for our students. At the same time, we remain grounded in the belief that great learning is rooted in humancentered design, driven by the expertise of educators. As a proud program of UC Santa Cruz, we draw inspiration from the university’s commitment to excellence, access, and public service.
As we look ahead, we remain committed to our mission and energized by the opportunities on the horizon. I am grateful to our UC partners, California educators, and supporters across the state who continue to work alongside us to close equity gaps and expand access to academic success for all students. Despite the incredible progress and growth we’ve achieved, I am humbled by the work that remains and the many students across California who still face barriers to opportunity. Their needs continue to drive us. UC Scout will keep evolving—strengthening our programs, refining our tools, and deepening our partnerships—to ensure every student has the chance to succeed.
Ehren Koepf Executive Director Scout
The A–G requirements are a set of high school courses that students must pass with a C or better to qualify for admission to the UC and CSU systems. These courses span seven subject areas and ensure students are prepared for
Receiving a UC Scout scholarship was incredibly helpful. It enabled me to take the AP®
Computer
Science A course I’m passionate about, explore collegelevel topics, and prepare for college at an affordable price with extra support.”
- Chuqiao Peng
UC Scout AP® Computer Science A Student
UC Scout’s Impact
Over the past year, UC Scout has continued to expand educational opportunities across California. With a focus on removing barriers to education and designing for academic success, UC Scout has grown their reach strategically and thoughtfully, always with the needs of California’s diverse student population at the forefront.
The numbers shared on this page reflect not only growth in scale but also meaningful progress in advancing equity, supporting educators, and innovating in the service of education. As UC Scout looks to the future UC Scout remains committed to growing with purpose, guided by their mission to serve students and schools where support is needed most.
Expanding Access
45,800+
22,000+
255
Scholarships Awarded in 2024-25
UC Scout’s Course Catalog
69 Total courses AP® courses
Students Supported Enrollments Student enrollment up 12.2% year over year 2024-25 Course Releases
• Introduction to Ethnic Studies
• AP® African American Studies
29
• Visual Communication
• AP® Microeconomics
UC Scout Student Demographics
59 93% 46
Students from 59 Countries
Student Success
Students from 46 states, plus Puerto Rico and DC
Over 93% of students are from California
Wondering if UC Scout’s courses really make a difference?
AP® Pass Rate
1,023 UC Scout students took the AP® exam, achieving an 85% overall pass rate (compared to 60-75% national average)
Supporting Educators
85% 96% 517
Strong Outcomes 96% of On Demand students completed their courses with a passing grade
1,336
Strong Support Number of schools in California supported across all enrollments
UC Scout’s On Demand students achieved an incredible 96% A- G completion rate that’s 44% higher than the California average for twelfth graders.
That’s real, measurable impact.
2,317
Free courses and curricula provided to teachers with Plus teachers used UC Scout curriculum to support student success
Free professional development series for teachers to upskill in online instructionTeaching in the Digital Classroom (TDC)
UC Scout’s Mission
UC Scout is deeply connected to the broader UC system through their affiliation with the UC Office of the President’s Student Academic Preparation and Educational Partnerships (SAPEP). They have expanded their strategic partnerships within the UC system, and continue to work closely within and among community organizations that share their mission. SAPEP programs—including ASSIST, EAOP, K–20, MESA, Puente, SIP, Transfer Prep, UC Compass, UC Links, UC Scout, and UCE—now serve over 256,000 students annually, 82% of whom are in the K–12 system. But SAPEP’s impact goes beyond students. In the last year SAPEP supported over 3,200 counselors and more than 7,000 teachers, strengthening the entire educational ecosystem across California.
UC Scout’s mission is to provide high-quality A-G and AP® curricula and courses for students in need, with emphasis on advancing the academic success of California’s educationally underserved students.
UC Scout’s Values
As a program hosted by the University of California, Santa Cruz, UC Scout is guided by the campus’s values of equity, community, and educational excellence. UC Santa Cruz ranks second among all UC campuses in the percentage of SAPEP students supported, with 22% of all participants connected to programs based at UCSC. This means that UC Santa Cruz and UC Scout share the same deep commitment to advancing access and success for educationally disadvantaged students.
UC Scout Plan Types
Basic provides exclusive video lessons for supplemental learning. Basic courses provide additional instruction, help students brush up for an upcoming test or AP® exam, or just learn for fun.
Plus provides credentialed teachers with video lessons, curricula, and access to Canvas LMS. Plus courses enable schools to expand their A-G course catalog and AP® course list, and increase access to online, hybrid, and flexible learning options.
On Demand provides self-paced, asynchronous online high school courses for A-G credit.
With On Demand, students receive support from a credentialed UC Scout teacher and can apply the credits toward high school graduation or college admission requirements.
UC Scout’s Vision
UC Scout’s 2023-2026 strategic plan serves as a roadmap for intentional growth, anchored in their mission to expand opportunity and support student success across California. The four strategic pillars at the heart of this plan guide everything they do—from where they focus their efforts to how they measure progress.
Four Strategic Pillars
Increase their impact on underserved students and schools in California
While they’re proud of the momentum they have built over the past year, they recognize that meaningful change takes time, and their work is far from finished. The accomplishments and priorities that follow reflect both how far they have come and where they’re headed next.
Raise awareness of their program’s value within an evolving landscape
Improve their platforms and processes to promote user success
Cultivate an equitable, collaborative culture internally and externally
UC Scout Now
Elevated the Student and Teacher Experience
Improved onboarding, interactivity, accessibility, and instructional quality to create a more engaging and supportive learning environment.
Expanded Visibility and Impact Across California
Strengthened UC Scout’s presence through earned media and strategic outreach to broaden their reach statewide.
Launched a Modern, User-Friendly Website
Debuted a redesigned website to streamline access to courses and resources for students, families, and educators with over 180k first-time visitors in 2024-25.
The Year Ahead
Strengthen Teacher Support and Training
Invest in teacher support to ensure strong implementation, greater confidence, and improved student outcomes.
Explored Emerging Technologies to Advance Learning
Piloted AI tools and new technologies to enhance instruction, grading, and course development.
Enhance Student Equity and Success
Continue to prioritize equity, accessibility, and personalization to support student engagement and achievement.
Increase Access Through Innovation
Explore tools and platforms that simplify adoption and expand access for schools and districts.
Expand Partnerships and Outreach
Build strategic partnerships to expand access and impact across the state.
- Arianna Macias UC Scout French Student UC Scout’s flexibility helped me learn at my own rhythm, ensuring a deeper understanding of the material.” “
