The mission of San Diego Met High School is to prepare students for college and the workforce through active learning, academic rigor, and community involvement in a small school setting. Because personalization is a key component of the school culture, advisories of 20-25 students work with the same teachers for all four years. Advisers, parents, and students design a customized academic learning plan to concentrate on achieving proficient-level mastery of the California State Content Standards and developing students' personal and career interests. This article discusses how a strong academic foundation, combined with exposing students to the workforce through internships and permitting them to earn the privilege of taking college classes at Mesa Community College, gives San Diego Met graduates choices and opportunities they would not have in a more traditional school setting.