Summer Programs Give Students a Jump Start on Academic Year
For more than 1,300 Central Valley students, this summer break wasn’t all about fun — it included strengthening their math and science skills to prepare them for the new school year and beyond.
UC Merced’s Center for Educational Partnerships offered a wealth of summer programming led by its three offices: K-20 Regional Alliances, State College Preparatory Programs and K-14 Federal Programs.
“We at CEP recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to student success, and that is why, in partnership with school districts, we customize our summer academies to meet the academic needs of each student, positioning them for postsecondary success,” said Orquidea Largo, associate vice chancellor and chief outreach officer.
The Office of K-20 Regional Alliances hosted three Summer Math Academies on campus and throughout the Valley.
Through strong intersegmental partnerships, dedicated educators and support from regional K-16 collaborators, more than 480 students were served, each gaining critical math skills, academic confidence and exposure to higher education environments.
“These efforts not only addressed immediate learning goals but also contributed to a broader vision of sustained student success, educator development and community engagement throughout the region,” said McKenna Salazar, executive director of the Office of K-20 Regional Alliances and WE Will! K-16 Educational Collaborative.
This summer, seventh- and eighth-grade students from Madera Unified School District participated in a five-week Math Academy hosted at UC Merced. The academy offered students early exposure to Math 7 and Math 8 content designed to strengthen foundational skills and build confidence to better prepare students for the school year and success on state assessments.
In addition to student support, the initiative also served as a professional learning opportunity for educators. Math teachers from Madera Unified School District were selected to lead instruction, and high school students from the district were hired as learning assistants, gaining valuable experience through paid internships.
“This impactful effort was made possible through funding from the Central San Joaquin Valley K-16 Partnership, demonstrating a shared commitment to academic preparation, career exploration and educational equity in the region,” Salazar said.
Students from the Parlier and Corcoran Unified School districts took part in the Summer Math Academy held at Fresno Pacific University. The program was designed to strengthen skills, build confidence and accelerate academic progress for grades 4 through 10. Funding for the academy was provided through the Fresno-Madera K-16 Collaborative, supporting regional goals to strengthen college and career readiness across the Central Valley.
Students from the McFarland Unified School District participated in the Summer Math Academy hosted at California State University, Bakersfield. The academy provided targeted instruction to students in grades 4 through 8, focusing on key math concepts and building academic confidence. The partnership between McFarland Unified and CEP — now in its second year — was made possible through funding from the Kern K-16 Collaborative, advancing efforts to support college and career readiness across the region.
Results from student surveys at the end of each of the K-20 Regional Alliances academy indicated:
98% of students said the math academy increased their confidence in math;
99% of students said the math academy increased their knowledge in math; and
99% of students said if given the opportunity they would attend another math academy.
CEP’s mission, according to its website, is “to provide student, school and parent-centered services that ultimately result in students having the greatest number of postsecondary choices from the widest array of options upon graduation."
The Office of State College Preparatory Programs led five distinct summer programs reaching nearly 300 students.
In June, the 1300 Campaign Summer Youth Leadership Academy, an intersegmental residential academy between UC Merced, California State University, Stanislaus, and the Improve Your Tomorrow college access program, served students as far north as Stockton and far south as Visalia. The program aims to increase the number of young men of color attending University of California and California State universities.
The Explore STEM! Conference, a multi-day collaboration between CEP and the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society, provided seventh- through 10th-grade students with hands-on STEM activities led by UC Merced faculty and graduate students. Students met with faculty members, took lab tours and attended workshops.
Eighth-grade students from Fresno Unified School District participated in the African American Student Leadership Academy, a residential program focused on creating awareness of the University of California. Students were provided English and mathematics enrichment, A-G college access workshops and a nature experience in Yosemite National Park.
In collaboration with the Calvin E. Bright Success Center, CEP hosted high school students at the Gateway Academy. The academy provided students with workshops on college readiness, A-G requirements, social and emotional health, career readiness, financial aid, group projects and presentation skills. The academy was facilitated by Gateway Ambassadors, graduate student assistants and professional staff.
In collaboration with the School of Engineering, CEP hosted Campos Engage in Engineering, a residential engineering academy for rising seniors in high school. Students conducted a full research project on robotics and competed against each other. Students had the opportunity to present their projects to the Campos Foundation, which included eight engineers who visited campus to speak to the students. The program was facilitated by undergraduate students and staff.
CEP’s K-14 Federal Programs’ federally funded academic outreach programs offered approximately 350 students from underserved communities throughout the Central Valley summer opportunities to promote college readiness and academic success.
Ninth- through 12th-grade students from the Upward Bound – Gustine and Upward Bound Math and Science – Orosi programs participated in the Summer Residential Program at UC Merced to strengthen their math skills. They explored STEM topics through collaborations with the campus’ Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers chapter and Valley Institute for Sustainability, Technology and Agriculture. Students lived on campus, allowing them to gain firsthand exposure to college life, university expectations and the academic environment.
In partnership with Fresno City College and the Fresno Unified School District, Upward Bound students from Hoover and Sunnyside high schools participated in dual enrollment courses to earn college credit and provide a smoother transition to college-level coursework.
Students from Fresno, Roosevelt, McLane and Edison high schools in the Talent Search program were offered the opportunity to earn original geometry credit and advance to higher-level math courses by their senior year. Courses were held at Fresno City College and provided students with a college campus experience and reinforced a college-going mindset.
Incoming freshmen from the Farmersville and Corcoran high school Talent Search program took part in a Math Academy aimed at building foundational skills to introduce them to the rigor of high school academics.
Talent Search students from high schools in the Merced Union High School District and Livingston, Delhi and Le Grand participated in a four-week Summer Math Academy hosted at UC Merced. This immersive program boosted academic readiness while inspiring students to pursue postsecondary education.
“These summer initiatives reflect the CEP’s unwavering commitment to educational equity by offering meaningful enrichment experiences and early exposure to college life,” said Amelia Herrera Bomhoff, director of K-14 Federal Programs. “Together, these programs serve as a powerful catalyst for academic advancement and post-secondary success in Central Valley communities.”