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:
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98% of students said the math academy increased their confidence in math;
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99% of students said the math academy increased their knowledge in math; and
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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."
