Author: Margaret Barbee

Cafe The Scoop, located in Long Beach on Studebaker Road in Parkcrest Center, is home to a variety of coffees, matchas, desserts, and many other drinks. This Korean-inspired establishment opened in early 2025 and has introduced a new approach to coffee that is creative, fun, and personal. Additionally, they have a wide selection of merchandise, such as t-shirts and tote bags. 

Priced at around $7 each, the drinks may seem expensive, but they are actually reasonable when you consider the quality you are getting. Depending on your budget, $7 may feel like a lot of money, but compared to major coffee chains like Starbucks, the cost is roughly the same. The key difference is that at Cafe The Scoop, each drink is made with high-quality ingredients, creating rich flavors that are sweet to your taste buds. 

As I walked in, the ambience was just that of your typical modern coffee shop. Some TVs displayed orders and the menu, the air was filled with a delightful coffee smell, and classic white walls were covered in cute decor. Overall, the atmosphere was a nice place to sit down and enjoy your purchase. 

I ended up ordering the matcha einspanner with almond milk. It was an iced matcha topped with cream and a sprinkle of matcha powder. It was extremely good, and as someone who does not like matcha to be too sweet, it was just right. The mix of the actual drink and the whipped cream was a blend that paired well. I would definitely come back to the establishment, and if you are a fan of coffee, matcha, or drinks of that sort, this is definitely a place to add to your list. 

Olivia Calleja, senior at Poly, raves, “10/10 The matcha was delicious and had the perfect color, not too sweet or bitter. A little bit on the pricy side, but worth it. The atmosphere is clean and busy, and the workers are friendly.” 

Besides having delicious drinks, they are well-known for their great pastries and desserts. At The Scoop, their menu features freshly-baked cookies and an assortment of croissants. A few of their most notable croissant flavors are almond, hazelnut, churro, chocolate, and ham and cheese croissants, each baked to golden, flaky perfection. If you love your French croissants or simply enjoy a sweet or savory treat to go along with your drink, this is the spot to check out. 

Another one of their most popular desserts is their banana and strawberry puddings. The pudding cream is rich and flavorful, and the crunch of the vanilla wafers adds the perfect texture to the dessert. The banana pudding is also topped off with fresh bananas that add extra sweetness and a hint of brightness. Although I did not try this, many regulars at Cafe The Scoop enjoy pouring their banana pudding into their matcha drink. 

“When I add the banana pudding to the matcha, it creates a great blend of flavors that is delicious. I love going to The Scoop for awesome matcha and pudding,” said junior in CIC, Lauren Jung.

In the end, Cafe The Scoop is more than just a trendy shop. Their innovative drinks, fresh pastries, and friendly ambiance make it a spot worth visiting. For anyone looking to enjoy delicious drinks with a twist, this cafe is an easy recommendation.

I am currently a junior in the CIC pathway at Long Beach Poly High School, and I decided to interview students from some of the other pathways at Poly to gather their thoughts, feelings, worries, fears, and steps they are taking to prepare for college. In 11th grade, college is one of the biggest things on most students ’ minds, and in this day and age, college and universities are extremely competitive. There tends to be a lot of pressure surrounding not only the preparation for college but also the overall admissions process and commitment to a college. 

PACE junior Olatomiwa Oshodi said, “My extracurriculars are flag football, and I would like to attend UCLA. The fears I have are if I do bad or lose myself at college, the steps I would like to take are to be open with people, especially when I’m struggling, because that’s what I tend to forget to do. Mrs. Schol, even though it’s an ELA class, she helps us with ways to go for college and getting a job. I am excited to graduate. My advice for lower-classmen is to be active and not be by yourself. When there’s people in your area, it’s more easy and fun at school.”

Poly teachers have shown to be very adamant in encouraging students to pursue college and their future careers.  The school as a whole shows great pride in academics and sports, hence the motto “Home of the Scholars and Champions.” it has shown to be of great importance to provide students with the encouragement and resources that they need to succeed in life. Studies show that in 2023 alone, 62% of students had aspirations to attend college according to the Public Policy institute of California . Teachers and staff also educate students on the importance of A-G requirements for our California Universities and CSUs. Many of these factors have made it possible for so many students here at Poly to achieve their goals.

In another interview, Kara Teter, another junior in the CIC pathway, says, “A few extracurriculars I am in are the girls’ tennis team, girls’ golf team, and Christian club. Yes, I would like to attend a college or university. Steps I would like to take this year for college are to probably just being more involved in extracurriculars and study for the SAT. A few worries, I guess I have are I’m not sure which school I would really want to attend. I don’t have any one person who has really helped me with college.. But I l think the culture here at Poly encourages students to attend college, and I think that’s really helpful. I am excited for my tennis and golf season and for football games. I think good advice for lower-classmen is to keep habits, have a routine, and also it’s easy not to take your classes seriously and get a bad grade. That can hurt you later, and I would just say to stay organized and do your best to get A’s.”

My final interview concludes with Xavier, a PARTS junior, “ I’m not in any extracurriculars, yes, I would like to attend college. My worries and fears are doing the work, and I feel like Poly as a whole pushes students for college. I am excited to meet new people. My advice for a freshman would be to do the work.”

In summation, after getting a glimpse into my interviewees experience as students at Long Beach Poly on the college and career track, it is clear that many students across the spectrum of pathways are extremely motivated to achieve their goals, plan out their future, and the Jackrabbit spirit as a whole really aids in guiding students along with that.