Hacienda La Puente Unified Students Explore New Horizons Through Summer Programs

The summer months in Hacienda La Puente Unified have students flourishing through comprehensive academic and enrichment opportunities that support students in all their needs and interests, from Speech and Debate and the Youth Cinema Project (YCP) summer programs to our annual sports and Computer and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (C-STEM) Robotics summer camps.

The District has a variety of summer school classes and programs, including middle school math enrichment programs and the District's Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP).

This year, Speech and Debate is being offered for the first time to high school students, and 150 middle and high school students are passionately working on their upcoming performances.

Students who are selected by coaches from Advantage Communications will perform for Hacienda La Puente Unified employees, middle and high school peers, and their families during the summer camp showcase, which will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 18, at Orange Grove Middle School.  

YCP kicked off its summer program on July 8 and will run to Wednesday, July 31. The program's culminating event will feature standout student films that will be presented during the YCP summer camp showcase at Sparks Middle School. Details regarding this event will be released soon.

After three weeks of coding, building, and endless creativity, our (C-STEM) Robotics Summer Camp students showcased their expanded knowledge with a showcase, which was joined by Director of TK-8 Dr. Angela Lin, Assistant Superintendent of Education Services Dr. Rosa Isiah, Board of Education member Nancy Loera, and other District administrators.

Teachers across the District also teamed up with Technology Teachers on Special Assignments (TOSAs) Ricardo Recinos and Teresa Magpayo Castro for professional development training where educators learned, programmed, and prepared to better support students in the 2024-25 school year.

Academic summer programs across the District aim to keep students engaged, while HLPUSD high schools provide academic and enrichment opportunities that support students' social-emotional and physical well-being. Incoming freshmen across the District have access to fall sports camps to learn new skills and get to know the coaches and teammates, helping them shake off those jitters and create a welcoming climate for newcomers. High school students of all grade levels are also encouraged to engage in summer camps to find new interests and explore endless possibilities.

"Hacienda La Puente Unified's numerous summer programs are vital to keeping students motivated and inspired to take on new opportunities," Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez said. "The new 2024-25 school year is sure to be one of the best years on record for Hacienda La Puente Unified, with staff and educators supporting students in the classroom and on stage, on the sports fields, and across our campuses. HLP students are not only being set up for success but also being challenged to push what they believe is achievable." 

PHOTO CAPTIONS

HLPUSD_SUMMER1: Hacienda La Puente Unified C-STEM students enhance their coding, communication and critical thinking skills during a summer camp class in June.

HLPUSD_SUMMER2: Speech and Debate students prepare for vocal exercises during Speech and Debate summer camp at Orange Grove Middle School on July 9.

HLPUSD_SUMMER3: Youth Cinema Project summer program students and filmmaker mentors prepare to hear classmates pitch their public service announcements on July 17.