Summer school helps LPS students prepare for successful careers

Juan, Angel and Steven are building their futures thanks to the constructive lessons they are learning at Lincoln Public Schools this summer.
 
The LPS students are pursuing their diplomas through a series of summer school classes at North Star High School. The three friends are planning to enter the military after earning their LPS diplomas in July. Angel and Steven have enlisted in the United States Marines and Juan will join the U.S. Army.
 
All three said summer school has been instrumental in helping them achieve their postgraduation goals. Angel and Juan each went to Southeast and Steven took classes at North Star during the academic year.

 
“I think summer school has provided an opportunity to improve my life,” Juan said. “It’s been a good thing. It’s going to be a good feeling to know I was able to accomplish this.”
 
“I’m excited because I’ll be able to get all of my credits done and be able to have a diploma,” Steven said. “Summer school has really helped me a lot. It’s been something that’s put me on a path to success. I think that’s the biggest thing.”
 
Angel is taking summer school classes for the second year. He said his prior experience with the program has helped him become more confident in 2024.
 
“It’s been better the second time,” Angel said. “Having gone through it once before, I know what to do this summer. I’ve definitely learned from the first time I went to it.”
 
Malinda Jean Baptiste is the team leader at Northeast High School’s counseling center during the academic year. She is spending the early summer at North Star helping students like Juan, Angel and Steven with their classes. She said summer school makes a life-altering difference for many people each year.
 
“It changes the entire trajectory of what they can do in life,” Jean Baptiste said. “They’re able to have so many more doors open for them when they have a high school diploma. It’s something that’s really important for them."

All current LPS students and non-LPS students who live within LPS boundaries are eligible for summer school. This year’s session ran from May 30-July 3 and was open to students in grades 9-12 during the 2023-24 academic year. Classes took place at both North Star and Lincoln High.

Many LPS teachers and administrators helped students with a wide variety of subjects. This year’s course list included language arts, math, science, social studies, family and consumer sciences, art, career planning/personal finance, physical education and technology options. In-person and fully remote eLearning classes and English language learners courses were also available for students.
 
Steven said it was helpful to have friends like Juan and Angel with him in the summer school program.
 
“It makes me feel like I’m not alone,” Steven said. “I’ve known both of them for a little while now, and it feels good to know that they’re right here with me. It’s a better feeling than thinking that I’m alone in this. It’s a big deal to know that we’re all doing this together.”
 
Angel is taking algebra and information technology classes this summer to earn his diploma. He said summer school is teaching him skills that will be beneficial in his future military and civilian careers. He would like to become either a metal worker or welder in the Army, and his long-term goal is to be employed in the aviation industry.
 
Juan is completing his list of high school credits with government politics and information technology courses. He said a diploma will provide him with more career options once he joins the Army. He would like to become part of either the infantry or military police after completing boot camp.
 
Steven is finishing his second year of summer school. He also enrolled in classes prior to his freshman year in order to gain extra credits for graduation. He would like to join an infantry unit in the Marines.
 
All three felt LPS had helped point their lives in positive directions. They said it was exciting to know they would enjoy future success because of their time spent in the school district.

 
“LPS has been really helpful,” Angel said. “I think it’s made me stronger. Going to summer school has helped me realize that there are a lot of things that I can do with my future.”
 
“It’s helped me have a lot of great experiences,” Steven said. “I’ve been able to spend time with a lot of good friends, and I think the teachers have shown me that they care and they want us to do well. Overall, I think it’s helped me become a better person.”
 
Jean Baptiste said that is why LPS staff members choose to help students like Juan, Angel and Steven achieve their summertime learning goals.
 
“It’s the best feeling when you see the graduates come in and get their diplomas,” Jean Baptiste said. “It’s a good day. It’s why we all do what we do. We want to help our kids succeed.”

Congratulations to our 2024 summer school grads! Look below to see our new LPS alumni.

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