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Secondary Programming

Building Bridges to College, One Student at a Time

For many students, the path to college feels distant or uncertain. Puente Secondary changes that — not by telling students what they're capable of, but by building an environment where they discover it themselves. Through a two-year college preparatory English class, dedicated academic counseling, and a community leadership program rooted in cultural pride, Puente students develop the skills, the identity, and the network to make college not just possible, but expected.

The Puente Secondary Program is designed to help students graduate, become college eligible, and enroll in college through the efforts and support provided by a Puente-trained team.

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We Lead with Impact

Puente's secondary program outcomes are measured, tracked, and continuously improving,because accountability to students is built into how Puente works. The data below reflects the real-world impact of an integrated model that combines rigorous academics, dedicated counseling, and community leadership. For educators and administrators considering Puente for their campus, these numbers tell a clear story: when students are supported in the right ways, they exceed expectations — and then some.

82%

of Puente high school graduates enroll in 2-year and 4-year college programs

 

(compared to 66% of California high school graduates statewide)

78%

of Puente students complete A-G course patterns
 

(compared to 54% of all California high school graduates and 47% of all California underrepresented students)

92%

 of Puente four-year college applicants gained admission to universities

8 in 10

Secondary Puentistas are First Generation Scholars

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“Puente didn’t just help me succeed in school—it helped me believe I belonged there.”

Meet Our Secondary Programming Staff

Headshot of Melinda Martinez, High School Teacher Training Coordinator. A woman with shoulder-length dark hair smiles warmly, wearing a dark top against a blurred green foliage background.

Melinda Martinez

High School Teacher Training Coordinator

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Headshot of Josefina Canchola, Director of Secondary Programs. A woman with short auburn hair and black-rimmed glasses smiles broadly, wearing a bright blue off-shoulder top and pearl necklace against a soft outdoor background.

Josefina Canchola

Director of Secondary Programs / Associate Director of Partnerships

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Headshot of Phillip Leyva, Middle School Teacher Training Coordinator. A man with curly dark hair smiles, wearing a gray-blue crewneck sweater under a black blazer against a blurred outdoor background.

Phillip Leyva

Middle School Teacher Training Coordinator

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Headshot of Gizelle Roberson, Middle School Counselor Training Coordinator. A woman with short dark hair and large silver hoop earrings smiles broadly, wearing a black-and-white patterned jacket against a blurred green foliage background.

Gizelle Roberson

Middle School Counselor Training Coordinator

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Headshot of Monica Velasquez, Secondary Program Assistant. A woman with long dark wavy hair and rose-tinted clear-frame glasses smiles, wearing a black turtleneck against a bright teal background.

Monica Velasquez

Secondary Program Assistant

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Ready to Bring Puente to Your Campus?

Puente's secondary program is expanding across the country, and we're looking for schools ready to invest in their students' futures. Whether you're a principal, counselor, or district administrator, we'd love to talk about what Puente could look like on your campus. The program comes with full implementation support, ongoing professional development, and a statewide network of educators who have been doing this work for decades.

The Puente Project

Center for Educational Partnerships

University of California, Berkeley

Email: info@thepuenteproject.org

Phone: 510-642-7677

Northern California Office: 

Center for Educational Partnerships

201P Sproul Hall 

Berkeley, CA 94720

Southern California Office: 
1 N. Indian Hill Blvd., Ste 300

Claremont, CA 91711

Stay in touch!

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