Programs: Academic programs: hola's mission to support each student in their journey to and through college is anchored by its dynamic smart start elementary, bridges middle school and pat high school education programs. These are led by dedicated and qualified staff who invest daily in the educational well-being of each student through individualized academic support and tutoring, college and job preparation, as well as a wide variety of enrichment offerings in leadership, entrepreneurship, steam (science, technology, engineering, arts and math), healthy living and more. (for further program accomplishment descriptions, see schedule o)academic programs--continued: hola aims to ensure that the 325+ students enrolled in hola's afterschool academic programs receive a comprehensive educational experience offering them the opportunities to explore the world far beyond the limits of their classrooms and neighborhoods. These students are further supported through hola's college success program that supports graduating seniors and hola's 200+ alumni that have now attended over 80 colleges and universities across the country. For the high school graduating class of 2017, 100% graduated from high school began post-secondary education in the fall; all of these youth are first-generation college students. Over the last four years, hola has maintained an accumulative 99% high school graduation rate, a 97% college persistence rate and through its formal scholarship fund, this spring hola awarded a record $578,692 in scholarships to seniors and alumni for the 2017-2018 academic year. Without hola's programs, these underserved youth would likely be unable to pursue post secondary opportunities.
arts programs: through its myriad arts programs, last year hola provided more than 600 youth with the opportunity to channel their energy and emotion into creative endeavors that develop their powers of self-expression, instill self-confidence and fuel their interest in learning. Each year, hola's visual arts department provides 100 free art classes and workshops in more than 20 different art forms, field trips, visiting professional artists, public art projects, mentorship and more. Hola's thriving music program provides youth with a el sistema-based youth orchestra as well as an ensemble-based music studio program comprised of private and small group instruction and jazz and rock bands. (for further program accomplishment descriptions, see schedule o)arts programs--continued: students enrolled in hola's art programs also benefit from year-round academic tutoring and support, positive youth development opportunities and wrap-around services. Through this support, hola has seen some outstanding results. According to hola's 2017 visual arts program survey, 98% of students strongly agreed/agreed that they felt they had become better artists as a result of the program and 96% felt they could talk to artist mentors and/or hola staff about difficult issues. Furthermore, by the end of the year 100% of music students showed increased understanding of music theory, history and composition, and 100% showed knowledge of proper instrument care.
athletics programs: hola provides free and exceptional athletics programming that promotes personal development, health and fitness, commitment to athletic excellence, and exemplary sportsmanship. Throughout the year, more than 1,100 at-risk youth with limited access to athletic activities and safe spaces to play have the opportunity to participate in dynamic athletics offerings that incorporate physical activity, positive role models, psychosocial youth development and the opportunity to learn teamwork and skills that will last a lifetime. (for further program accomplishment descriptions, see schedule o)athletics programs--continued: hola's comprehensive athletics program offers a wide variety of team and individual sports that include soccer and basketball leagues and clinics, a summer active camp, physical education and health classes and more. Hola's myriad athletics offerings are hosted within a welcoming and engaging space that includes a state-of-the-art turf soccer field and a full-court gym made possible through hola's best-in-class partnership with the city of los angeles department of recreation and parks. Of those students completing the 2017 core youth development survey, 88% reported that participating in hola's athletics helped them do better in school and 88% reported improved attitudes toward and knowledge of nutritional health.
