Hacienda La Puente Unified Expands Arts Education with New Programs, Bringing Transformative Opportunities for Students

CITY OF INDUSTRY – Hacienda La Puente Unified School District (HLPUSD) is expanding its Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) program thanks to $2.7 million in funding from Proposition 28, the California Department of Education’s Arts and Music in Schools initiative, strengthening art, dance, music, and theatre arts instruction across the District.

HLPUSD has launched new arts programs across all grade levels as part of a five-year strategic plan. As part of the plan, students in TK through fifth grade at all 17 elementary schools now receive tailored instruction in art, dance, and music. Thanks to Prop 28 funds, HLPUSD hired 12 new VAPA instructors at elementary schools, ensuring creativity remains a key part of education for its youngest learners.

Additionally, all District second grade students are taking part in a 12-week theater arts residency, culminating in a student-written performance aligned with English language arts standards. HLPUSD fourth graders also now have the option to participate in a strings program with a fully developed orchestra, with the program set to expand to include all fourth through 12th graders in the District by 2030.

“Expanding our VAPA offerings is a transformative step for our District,” VAPA Coordinator Benita Scheckel said. “We are creating adults who are creative, collaborative, out-of-the-box critical thinkers ready to communicate kindness, empathy, and sensitivity in a rapidly ever-changing global environment.” 

Hacienda La Puente’s VAPA program, Extended Learning Opportunities Program, Ethnic Studies, and career technical education (CTE) departments are teaming up to expand opportunities for students. Middle schoolers at Orange Grove and Sparks can now enjoy a new Mariachi program led by the Grammy-winning Mariachi Divas. District VAPA teachers are also creating arts lessons integrated with Ethnic Studies for elementary schools, while CTE arts courses are being strengthened across the District.

The District has also partnered with several organizations to expand its VAPA programming, including the Pasadena-based A Noise Within theatre company, Conga Kids, and the Youth Cinema Project. Conga Kids offers African diaspora dance to all fifth graders with plans to expand into middle school physical education classes, while the Youth Cinema Project has expanded an elementary through high school pathway for aspiring filmmakers. 

“I love the Youth Cinema Project program at our school,” Sparks Middle School seventh-grade student Emma Torres said. “YCP brings the excitement of filming to students through writing, acting, editing, and creativity. It really inspires students to think bigger and better.”

This summer, all K-12 students will have a chance to participate in HLPUSD’s first District-wide musical theatre conservatory program, where they will work alongside industry professionals to create a large-scale musical theatre performance. 

“Our commitment to expanding Visual and Performing Arts education is about nurturing creativity and self-expression in our students from an early age,” Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez said. “Research shows arts education not only fosters creativity but also enhances academic performance, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. At Hacienda La Puente, our programs are enriching our students’ academic experience, supporting their overall success, and providing pathways for personal growth and development.”

 

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

 

HLPUSD_VAPA1: Youth Cinema Project students explore the world of filmmaking during a summer camp class at Sparks Middle School on July 17.

 

 

HLPUSD_VAPA2: Fifth-grade students at Cedarlane Academy explore the fundamentals of music during a VAPA class on Sept. 17. 

 

HLPUSD_VAPA3: Hacienda La Puente Unified’s VAPA team tour elementary school campuses and meet administrators during the first week of the 2024-25 school year on Aug. 9.

 

HLPUSD_VAPA4: Palm Elementary School students hit the stage for their performance of “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” on Oct. 18.