Empowering Students, Families, and Communities With Hearts Rooted in Equity and Service PUENTE is building a stronger Los Angeles with educational programs for our students, families, and community members in Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles. This newsletter details how PUENTE is responding to today’s needs with our multi-generational spectrum of services. At this critical time for our changing city, we are empowering thousands of students each year. Our teachers are dedicated to improving lives, and our hearts are rooted in equity and service. Together, we are building bridges to educational milestones that are relevant and life-changing. — PUENTE Interim CEO, Jerome Greening PUENTE SPRING 2019Raising Student Achievement “The moment I step into PUENTE’s building, I feel calm. I know my son and daughter are in good hands. I can’t tell you how nice it feels, not to have to worry about their education. PUENTE offers more than we even expected.” –Liliana Aparicio, PUENTE Charter School parent PUENTE Charter School is responding to the community’s demand for high-equality educational options. Led by Dean of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Norma Moreno, PUENTE Charter School is using data to raise student achievement through the NWEA-MAP assessment tool as well as new individual learning plans that create a cycle of improvement for each student. We are continuing our expansion of PUENTE Charter School. Using a phased roll-out, we will welcome our inaugural class of 2nd graders next academic year, and we will continue to add one grade level each year. By 2022-23, PUENTE Charter School will complete its expansion and serve 360 students in grades TK-5. To make room for the full Elementary School while maintaining all the Learning Center’s other services, we will be upgrading and renovating our facility over the next two years. The re-imagined building will help PUENTE position itself to address the community’s changing educational demands for many years to come. “Finishing my second year with our College Access students is bitter sweet. I have learned a lot from these kids, and I have seen them grow into confident young men and women who are ready to excel. Nearly all of my students are finalists for scholarships. I am so proud of their dedication.” –Guillermo Rincón, College Access STEM Program Instructor PUENTE is working to close the opportunity gap for high school students in Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles. 91% of the 12th grade students in our College Access STEM Program will be attending post-secondary education this fall. Our instructors have worked with this group of students for the last two years, leading them through STEM enrichment classes, taking them on college campus visits, and connecting them with internships. PUENTE Charter School College Access: Closing the Opportunity GapPartnering for Student Success PUENTE Adult Education “Success requires knowledge, commitment, and perseverance. In our HiSET class students accomplish this goal by pushing themselves to the limit.” – Roberto Quiros, HiSET Test Preparation Instructor Our adult education programs have benefited from innovative partnerships with Los Angeles Unified School District’s Adult Education Division as well as with Los Angeles City College. Together, we have increased enrollment at PUENTE by over 10% to serve a projected 2,050 adult students this academic year. We have added courses to meet community need. Our new HiSET Test Preparation class accelerates our students’ ability to achieve their high school certifications. To increase access, we are offering this important class in Spanish. Over 20 students are projected to pass the HiSET exam by June. “Our students are diverse in their educational backgrounds. Some come to us with no high school credits and have to start from scratch. Other students are immigrants who are seeking an official US high school diploma, since the credits from their home country are not recognized here. At PUENTE, we make sure that students succeed by meeting them where they are at and helping them get what they need.” -Gloria Rojas, High School Diploma Lab Instructor All students pursue their education while fulfilling many other responsibilities. Our adult students in particular must balance commitments such as working full-time and being parents. In our High School Diploma Individual Instruction Lab, Gloria Rojas has worked with her students to navigate these challenges for over 25 years. This academic year, Gloria’s lab plans to award high school diplomas to 12 graduates. Program Highlight: High School Diploma LabPUENTE Earns 2019 Gold Seal of Transparency This designation, awarded by Guidestar, is achieved by just 0.5% of charities nationwide. We’re proud of how we spend your money! At PUENTE, we know our donors expect us to use our funds wisely, and we are committed to fulfilling that trust by maximizing the funds dedicated to educational programs, program support, and communications. Thank you for your generosity. 501 S. BOYLE AVENUE, LOS ANGELES, CA 90033 (323) 780 8900 donate@puente.org PRESCHOOL • CHARTER SCHOOL • AFTER SCHOOL • SUMMER CAMP • COLLEGE AND CAREER • ESL • HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA AND HISET CERTIFICATION • DIGITAL INITIATIVES PUENTE Surpasses Fundraising StandardsNext >