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.
AVID's mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society.
AVID is:
A structured college preparatory system working directly with schools and districts
A direct support structure for first generation college goers, grades 4-16
A structure for typically low income, underserved students
A school wide approach to rigorous curriculum
Teaches skills and behaviors for academic success
Creates a positive peer group for students
Develops a sense of hope for personal achievement gained through hard work and determination
AVID Elective
Each AVID student for one period a day, they learn organization and study skills, work on critical thinking and asking probing questions, get academic help from peers, and participate in enrichment and motivational activities that make college seem attainable.
Each year the AVID program takes students on college tours to schools such as UC Berkeley, UC Davis, Sacramento State, and University of Pacific.