We are Napa Valley College's Puente program established by this college in 2004. The Puente Program combines accelerated English and Counseling classes with a mentor program.
Napa Valley College is proud to sponsor the Puente Project. The Puente Project is an academic preparation program whose mission is to increase the number of educationally disadvantaged students who: enroll in four-year colleges, earn college degrees, and return to the community as mentors and leaders for future generations. Puente provides three areas of service to students: teaching, counseling, and mentoring. Puente trains school and college staff members to conduct this program at their sites. Puente serves students in 56 community colleges and 36 high schools throughout California. Puente's staff training programs have benefited over 40,000 students directly and over 400,000 indirectly. Puente is open to all students. The one-year program at Napa Valley College begins with English 90 in the fall semester. English 90 is preparation for English 120, College-level English. The Puente approach is unique in that the reading is focused on Latino and Mexican-American literature, essays and cultural writings in both the fall and spring semester classes. Students are strongly encouraged to enroll in the Writing Center along with the fall composition course to further assist them. See http://www.ucop.edu/puente/ for more information and the reports of success for students enrolled in this program. Contact Marina Lira at mlira@napavalley.edu to enroll in the Puente Program. Download Application!