Puente Project
The Puente Project is a national award-winning program that works to improve the college-going rate for students usually underrepresented in colleges and universities. Its mission is to increase the number of educationally disadvantaged students who enroll in four-year colleges and universities, earn college degrees and return to the community as mentors and leaders to future generations. The program is interdisciplinary in approach, with writing, counseling and mentoring components. Puente staff train high school instructors and counselors to implement a program of rigorous instruction, focused academic counseling, and mentoring by members of the community.
Started in California in 1981, the program has since expanded to 33 high school sites throughout the state. The Anaheim Union High School District is well represented with a Puente Program in the following schools: Anaheim, Katella, Magnolia, Savanna, and Western High Schools. Puente is open to all students.