Now Enrolling!
The Puente Program is a national award-winning program that has helped tens of thousands of educationally disadvantaged students to enroll in four-year colleges and universities, earn degrees, and return to the community as leaders and mentors to future generations.
Puente students, or Puentistas, enroll in two linked courses during the fall (English 1A & Counseling 24) and spring (English 5 & Counseling 57) semesters, and work closely with their counselor, English instructor, and mentor to prepare for transfer to four-year colleges and universities. The writing curriculum focuses on the development of college-level essay writing, reading, research, and critical thinking skills, a necessary foundation for educational success. All students welcome!
The Puente Program will continue to accept students on a rolling basis until all slots are filled. We expect a high number of interest forms this year; please complete the interest form early, as capacity is limited.
To join, please complete the Puente Program Interest Form.
The Puente model is composed of three integrated joint components:
English Instruction
Puente students take two consecutive writing classes, English 1AS (Composition & Reading) in the fall semester and English 5 (Critical Thinking in Reading and Writing) in the spring semester. These classes provide a supportive and stimulating environment for Puente students with an emphasis on developing writing skills through an exploration of the Latinx experience.
Counseling
Puente students work closely with their Puente counselor to explore career options, develop an academic educational plan, and identify their goals through the Puente Development courses, Counseling 24 (College Success Skills) and Counseling 57 (Career and Life Planning), as well as individual counseling sessions. Students visit campuses of the University of California and other four-year colleges and attend an annual Puente student transfer conference.
Mentoring
Puente students are matched with an academically and professionally successful mentor from the community. Mentors share with the students how they managed to succeed in the educational system, how they succeed as professionals while maintaining their cultural identity, and how they now balance family, career, and community-related activities, and provide resources for student assignments and projects.
Major: Political Science
Puente has been amazing and very helpful with my college experience. Coming out of highschool and being clueless about how to apply to classes, financial aid and to be ready to transfer, Puente was there for me to lead me to the right path to sign up for the right classes and apply for financial aid. Not only are the teachers and mentors amazing, but also my classmates are very supportive and encouraging to each other so we create a familia with each other. I recommend all students to join the Puente Program to be able to have a supportive community in your college experience.
Major : Undeclared
I am currently enrolled in College of Alameda seeking to become an Automotive Engine Performance Tech.
Puente is a great program, Puente has helped me through college since day one. Puente became part of me and little by little I began to build a relationship with all my peers. Not only did I build a relationship with my peers but I also began to feel a good communication with my teachers. I would honestly recommend this program to students who will be enrolling as freshman’s, it will help you a lot!
Major: Business Administration
The Puente Program has been a big part of my college experience because they create a sense of FAMILIA, you are not left behind and they go out of their way to help you in any way possible. The best thing is that you have a counselor with who you meet with twice per semester to make sure you are on track. Puente has been and is a great experience. Come and join the Puente Program at College of Alameda to have a wonderful experience of your own!
Major: Undeclared
I am a first-time student in my 40s. When I first started College of Alameda, I did not have a clue what I was doing. If it wasn’t for the Puente Program, I believe I would have fallen behind. Puente is always there to help in any way. They have great administration, counselors, classes, and lots more. I am so thankful to have Puente be a part of my college journey.