A Well-Rounded Education Takes I-Poly Students Far : Next L.A. / A Look at issues, people and ideas helping to shape the emerging metropolis.

The students sometimes stay up all night, sending e-mail messages to pen pals around the globe--for English class.

For math, they track stocks in the world markets. For physics, they try to figure out how to navigate a ship that would sail to the Fiji Islands. An international studies lesson has them plan an imaginary tour of the islands, gathering information by calling embassies and sending faxes around the world.

At International Polytechnic High School, known as I-Poly, the ninth- to 12th-graders focus on international studies, getting a global perspective on cutting edge developments in areas such as technology, economics and politics. I-Poly is the only school of its kind in the country, said Principal Chris Dayian, but he expects others to follow.

“We want to see kids have that global vision,” he said. “We’re in the information age, and information is changing all the time.”

I-Poly opened in January, 1994, on the Cal Poly Pomona campus with 12 students. This year, the school has 117 students; in September, enrollment will grow to 250.

The tuition-free school is run by the Los Angeles County Office of Education and Cal Poly Pomona, with teachers and staff from the university and local school districts. I-Poly is the county’s third specialty school, along with Cal State Los Angeles’ performing arts high school and Cal State Dominguez Hills’ math/science high school.

Enrollment at I-Poly is open to high school students in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside and Orange counties. Selection is based on application, personal interview and essay.

The school prepares students to compete for careers and leadership roles in fields such as international affairs, global communications and worldwide computer networks.