PUENTE Information

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The mission of the Puente Project is to increase the number of educationally disadvantaged students who enroll in four-year colleges and universities, earn degrees, and return to the community as leaders and mentors for future generations.

Why Puente?

Puente classes function as families, or familias, with students acquiring competency in various genres including autobiography, reflection, research, persuasion, literary analysis, expressive, and community-based writing.  Students are taught techniques for collaborative peer review and create portfolios of polished assignments.  Puente’s writing program not only builds language-arts skills, but also teamwork, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills, all of which are key to enabling enrollment at a public or private university.
The Puente counselor works hand-in-hand with the Puente teacher to function as an interdisciplinary team. The team meets regularly, and as needed, with Puente students both inside the classroom and out.  The Puente counselor also works closely with parents, providing regular parent workshops throughout the school year.
 
The Puente team of teacher, counselor, and parent all work together and become empowered advocates for students’ educations.
English
 
The English Component includes rigorous writing practice through a two-year English class sequence taught by the Puente teacher to all Puente students. These classes provide a supportive environment and student centered curriculum which integrates Latinx and multicultural literature and themes of identity within the framework of college preparatory English classes. Puente English is a UC recognized a-g course and should be added to your course catalog upon implementation. 
Counseling
 
The Counseling Component includes a comprehensive guidance curriculum implemented by the Puente counselor to all Puente students during the duration of their enrollment. The Puente counselor works closely with Puente students to support their academic, college & career, and social/emotional development.
Leadership
 
The Community Leadership Component is a vital link between the local community and the school program. The community leadership program encourages students to pursue professional and leadership goals that amplify Community Cultural Wealth