LPS students secure summer school diplomas

July 17, 2023

Dozens of Lincoln Public Schools students displayed grins as bright as the noonday sun during the morning of July 13.

The high school diplomas in their hands caused them to break out those shining smiles for all to see.

A total of 171 scholars in grades 9-12 achieved their goal of a high school degree at the conclusion of summer school activities. LPS teachers and administrators welcomed them to Lincoln High and Lincoln North Star for graduation ceremonies, which were the two sites for summer school this year. They provided both encouragement and applause to students as they concluded their high school careers.

Hailey attended summer school classes at Lincoln North Star this year. She beamed after receiving her diploma in the commons area of the high school.

“I’m really happy,” Hailey said. “I’ve been through a lot, so graduation is a great accomplishment for me. This is really special.”

She is planning to study both business and art at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kan., this fall.

The investment from staff members has also allowed students like Erin to start up their own successful academic engines. Erin will pursue a diesel technology degree at Southeast Community College next year, and she has earned a notable scholarship that will pay for most of her schooling. 

Erin said it was satisfying to secure her spot as a LPS alum. She began attending summer school classes after her eighth-grade year and continued stockpiling credits each of the next three summers. She completed her junior year at Lincoln Northeast this spring and will graduate a full year early from the district.

“It’s opened up a lot of good pathways for me for the rest of my life,” Erin said. “I’ll be able to start college this fall and once I finish that, I’ll be able to get into a good career and start earning money. It’s exciting because it’s a huge milestone in my life.”

Student Services Supervisor Karmin Pedroza served as principal of the summer school program at Lincoln North Star this year. She said the stories of Hailey and Erin showcased the determination of students to succeed. 

Students took classes at Lincoln High, Lincoln North Star, the Graduation Pathways site and the Bryan Community Focus Program building.

“I think going to school in the summer is a testament to the work ethic these students are displaying,” Pedroza said. “These students want to be here. We start summer classes the Wednesday after Memorial Day, so there’s not much of a break between the school year and summer school. It really is neat to see that they want to accomplish this.”

Pedroza said there are a variety of reasons for LPS students to take summer school classes. Some students want to obtain additional class credits in order to graduate early from high school, while others are catching up on credits they may not have obtained during the traditional academic year.

LPS students were able to attend summer classes free of charge this year due to the federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER I). Students from any LPS high school could enroll in the program.

The home schools of this year’s graduates included Lincoln High (42 students), Lincoln East (19), Lincoln Northeast (27), Lincoln Southeast (20), Lincoln North Star (41) and Lincoln Southwest (22). Of the 171 students who graduated, 145 were seniors and 26 were juniors.

Summer school students were able to take classes in multiple subjects. These included art, career education, computers, English, English language learners, family and consumer sciences, physical education/health education, mathematics, science, social studies, work experience, eLearning and special education.

Students could take classes either in traditional or eLearning settings. In-person learning took place in high school classrooms each morning. Students who chose the eLearning option could proceed through their selected courses at their own pace.

Pedroza praised staff members for their time commitment and devotion to helping LPS students learn throughout the summer. Teachers at Lincoln North Star stood in a line inside the school’s commons area on July 13 and gave loud applause each time a student picked up their diploma. They continued to deliver smiles to them during individual cap-and-gown ceremonies.

“One thing I’d like to do is highlight our staff,” Pedroza said. “They do an amazing job. They’re choosing to continue working after the school year ends, so they’re showing a tremendous amount of dedication. The work they’re doing here is making a huge difference for our students.”

Erin’s mother Amie said her daughter’s choice to attend summer school has led to many bright smiles in their family.

“It’s going to be amazing to watch her take the world by storm,” Amie said. “I’m super proud of her. She’s worked extremely hard to get here, and I know she’s going to keep doing great things in the future.”

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