LOS ANGELES — Babies in the classroom? That’s a reality for parenting and pregnant students at Learn4Life’s Alta Vista Innovation High School in Inglewood, taking part in the Helping Our Parenting-students Excel (HOPE) Program. The program provides students with a safe space for parents to watch their children as they complete credits needed to graduate. It’s also common to see supervising teachers holding babies as they help students. Students also receive mentorship, a parenting class and free baby clothing, diapers and more.

The number of teen births has declined over the years. In 2021, over 12,000 babies were born to parents ages 15-19, according to the California Department of Public Health. In 2016, more than 21,000 teens gave birth. But now, teens have more resources than ever to stay in school.

Only about 50% of teen mothers receive a high school diploma by the time they are 22 years old, according to a Child Trends report.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this article incorrectly referenced the California Department of Education instead of the California Department of Public Health. The error has been corrected. (Aug. 30, 2023)