September 16, 2026

Dear Parents, Guardians, Students and Community:

At Hollister High School, our commitment to student learning continues beyond the traditional school year. Summer school provides valuable opportunities for students to strengthen their skills, recover credits, prepare for upcoming coursework and, for some, complete the requirements for a high school diploma. At the Sept. 8 meeting of the San Benito High School District Board of Trustees, our summer school administrators and program leaders presented an overview of the 2026 Summer School Program. Their report highlighted four programs that addressed a range of student needs: the Regular Day Program, Extended School Year Special Education, Migrant Evening Program and English Learner Summer Seminar. While the primary focus of summer school is to provide instruction for students who are credit deficient, these offerings also create opportunities for continued learning and academic preparation. Our summer program guidelines emphasized a productive, efficient, academically rewarding and fiscally responsible approach to serving students.

Under the leadership of Summer School Principal Vanessa Klauer and Assistant Principal Heather Nichols, the Regular Day Program operated on our main campus from June 15 through July 10, with classes from 8 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. The program offered 31 sections, including credit recovery in English, mathematics, social studies, biology, health and Spanish. Students also had access to Geometry and World Studies Jump Ahead courses, online Academy physical education and art, English Learner seminars and Edgenuity coursework. These options provided multiple ways for students to address academic needs and continue progressing toward their goals.

The reported outcomes demonstrated the impact of that work. A total of 1,077 students participated, an increase of 158 over the previous summer. Students passed 1,656 courses, 192 more than last year, and accumulated 8,415 credits. The report also noted that 83 students participated in dual enrollment. Behind each of these numbers is a student investing time and effort in their education. Academic instruction was complemented by the Student Support Hub, which provided check-ins, opportunities for mental breaks, calming techniques and calming stations. Staff continued connecting with students who had received support during the regular school year, recognizing the importance of providing a place to pause and regroup during an intensive summer session.

One of the summer’s most meaningful accomplishments was the graduation of 34 seniors, which administrators reported increased the overall graduation rate by 4 percent. A summer graduation ceremony in the Student Union gave families and friends an opportunity to celebrate their graduates and see them walk across the stage. That milestone is a powerful reminder that additional time, support and determination can make an important difference in a student’s educational journey.

Led by Dylan Svihus, the Extended School Year Special Education program served 41 students. Life Skills teachers Mitch Huston, Xavier Rodriguez, Adriana Duran, Corinne Geier and Sandy Swint were joined by 20 instructional aides and three registered behavior technicians in supporting students throughout the program. Program highlights included visits to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park and San Benito County Historical Park, along with swimming activities. These experiences complemented the program’s continued learning opportunities and provided meaningful ways for students to participate beyond the classroom.

The Migrant Evening Program, led by Marisol Mota, offered another avenue for students to make academic progress. Classes were held on the main campus from 6 to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday, from June 15 through July 10. Course offerings included Government, Economics, Algebra Support and Art. The evening program’s enrollment chart in the board report showed growth from 168 students in 2025 to 182 students in 2026. Students earned 1,000 credits this summer, reflecting their commitment to continued learning during the evening hours. Support beyond the classroom was also an important part of the program. Food Services provided dinner each evening, and early transportation communication helped staff arrange transportation in a timely manner. Five of the program’s six teachers were Hollister High School teachers, further connecting summer instruction with our school community.

Under the leadership of JoAnne Kaplansky, the English Learner Summer Seminar provided targeted opportunities to strengthen academic skills. The English-focused seminar for long-term English Learners served 13 incoming freshmen from the Hollister School District during the first two weeks of summer school. Two teachers used a co-teaching model as students focused on narrative and argumentative writing, read a novel and prepared for English 9 and reclassification. Students earned five elective credits, and case managers shared information about reclassification and program services. The results were encouraging: 92 percent met the English language arts criteria for reclassification, while 54 percent met both the English language arts and English Language Proficiency Assessments for California criteria. These results reflect progress toward meeting reclassification requirements.

A separate Algebra 1 support seminar operated throughout the four-week summer session, serving 10 students from the Hollister School District. That program also used a two-teacher co-teaching model, provided five elective credits and focused on preparing students for Algebra 1. In addition, Jazmin Luna and Silbana Martinez Perez provided in-class support for 16 emerging-level newcomer students across multiple subjects. Their work included translating assignments, helping students prepare for assessments and checking in with long-term English Learners. The report noted a 96 percent passing rate for the supported newcomer students. Student feedback highlighted benefits beyond course preparation: participants enjoyed meeting new people, learning about the high school, developing writing skills and becoming familiar with the locations of their classes. Those connections are a valuable part of helping students prepare for the school year ahead.

Our summer programs reflect a shared commitment to helping students move forward. I extend my appreciation to our administrators, teachers, instructional aides, program staff, student support personnel, Food Services and transportation teams for their work. I also thank our families for supporting summer learning and commend our students for their persistence and dedication. Whether a student recovered a needed credit, strengthened a skill, prepared for high school or earned a diploma, each accomplishment deserves recognition. Together, these efforts remind us that learning, opportunity and celebration continue throughout the summer—and that every day is a great day to be a Baler!

Sincerely,

San Benito High School District Superintendent

Dr. Shawn Tennenbaum

Striving, Thriving, Shining Bright