The mission of the Puente Project is to increase the number of educationally underserved students who enroll in four-year colleges and universities, earn degrees and return to their communities as leaders and mentors to succeeding generations. Puente is open to all students. Puente students sign up for a transfer program that will help them to develop necessary skills to accomplish their goals.

There are four main components to the program:

1. English instruction: Puente students will be enrolled in two consecutive writing courses: ENGL 001 for the Fall semester and ENGL 002 in the Spring. Both courses focus on Latino authors, culture, and issues.
2. Counseling: Puente students work closely with their Puente counselor until they graduate. The counselor tracks their progress and helps to develop and monitor an educational study plan and for personal/career counseling. This allows students to make the right choices through their college experience. In addition to the English courses, students will enroll concurrently in counseling/study skills classes.
3. Mentoring: Each Puente student will be paired with a mentor from the professional community. Students will be required to meet with mentors on a regular basis for sharing of experiences, job shadowing, and networking.
4. Activities: Puente students are required to attend a statewide conference and take field trips to a variety of UC campuses, attend lectures, plan social events, and become involved in the Puente Club events. Students considering applying to enter the program who are employed should work no more than 20 hours per week so that they will be able to take advantage of all the project has to offer. Students will be asked to be available on some Thursday evenings or weekends for program activities.

The REALM Program provides Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) majors an extended orientation, followed by summer and regular term classes geared to fast-track them to transfer along with comprehensive student support services including mentoring, tutoring, and supplemental instruction. The program also focuses on engaging students in campus life through science clubs and community service activities Students are also provided with university visits, scholarship workshops, assistance applying for summer research opportunities, and national conferences.

The Student Success Program provides services to assist students in meeting their educational goals through academic, career, and personal counseling, workshops, individual, and group support meetings. Student Success is a district-wide program that fosters a learning environment that provides all students with equitable resources necessary to succeed in their academic endeavors. The goal is to ensure that students are prepared with the necessary tools to follow and complete their educational plans. In addition, we may also provide printing access, laptop checkout, textbook assistance, testing supplies, snacks, field trips, and mobile Wi-Fi hot spots.   

• Develop intellectual and academic competence
• Develop personal identity
• Decide on or achieve clarity about a career goal
• Maintain personal health and wellness
• Create a sense of personal value for each student
• Consider, examine or internalize what they believe and value
• Develop multicultural awareness and learn to tolerate, affirm and appreciate differences among people
• Develop civic responsibility as a responsible citizen 
• Create a sense of community and connectedness to the college

The TRiO/Upward Bound Math and Science Program is designed to strengthen the STEM skills of participating students, with the goal to help students recognize and develop their potential to excel academically by encouraging them to pursue post-secondary STEM degrees, and ultimately obtain STEM careers.

TRIO/UBMS program provides academic resources to low-income and potential first-generation college students in an effort to close the achievement gap. 

Federal TRIO Programs Current-Year Low-Income Levels

Program Services

• Weekly After School Tutorials at each of the four target high schools for supplemental academic support in the core subject areas
• Monthly Saturday Session at COS that focus on academic, career, personal development, and STEM curriculum
• Motivational and cultural guest speakers
• Academic advising, counseling, and mentorship
• College admissions, financial aid, financial literacy, and scholarship workshops
• Educational and cultural field trips
• College campus visits
• Community service projects

Summer Academy
The summer is spent re-enforcing academic-year instruction and providing students with the following services to help them succeed in their future endeavors:

• Six-week Summer Academy at COS
• Students are enrolled in college-level coursework in the areas of math, lab science, composition, literature, and career exploration
• Educational and cultural field trips

During the Summer Academy, the TRiO/UBMS Program provides academic tutoring, school supplies, transportation, and meals to participating students at no cost to them or their parents/guardians.

Voluntary Field Trips

Throughout the school year, the district may sponsor voluntary field trips and excursions in which students may want to participate. Be advised as stated in the California Code of Regulations, Sub Chapter 5, §55220(h), if students participate in a voluntary field trip or excursion, they are deemed to have held harmless the District, its officers, agents and employees from all liability or claims which may arise out of or in connection with students’ participation in this activity.