Onward 2 High School: Summer Institute Newsletter Week 1 Highlights

The premier middle school to high school bridge program

Summer Institute Week 1 Highlights

July 12, 2026

A Welcome from Nancy Portillo, Executive Director

What an incredible first week!

We welcomed more than 500 middle school students from 120 schools across Los Angeles to the Onward 2 High School (O2HS) Summer Institute. In just five days, students formed new friendships, embraced challenges, explored engineering concepts, and began developing the confidence that will support their transition to high school and beyond.

Most importantly, they are beginning to see themselves as problem-solvers, innovators, and leaders. Every challenge, field trip, and team activity is intentionally designed to help students develop the confidence, skills, and sense of community that support long-term success in high school, college, and career. In just one week, we have already witnessed remarkable growth, curiosity, and perseverance.

🚗 Engineering in Action

Students launched into STEAM learning through two challenges: Balloon Car and Electric Car Challenge.

Working in their Pit Crew teams, students designed, built, tested, and improved their vehicles while exploring concepts such as force, motion, drag, and energy. The week concluded with an exciting showdown, where teams raced their creations and competed for trophies.

At the Summer Institute students are encouraged to ask questions, solve problems, test ideas, and learn through discovery!

⭐ Student Spotlight

One moment perfectly captured the spirit of the week.

During the Electric Car Challenge, a student excitedly watched their redesigned vehicle race across the track.

Student: "The car is going straighter than before!"

Teacher: "That's good! You must be getting close."

Student: "I'm such a great engineer!"

In just one week, students are beginning to see themselves differently.

That confidence, curiosity, and willingness to keep improving are exactly what we hope to inspire.

🎤 Messages That Inspired

Students heard from John Smet, Co-Founder of the Smet Foundation, who encouraged them to embrace the mindset: Build. Test. Analyze. Improve. Repeat.

His message reinforced the idea that failure is an essential part of the learning process.

Before the program began, Cindy Smet, Co-Founder of the Smet Foundation, gathered more than 50 Summer Institute staff members and shared a simple but powerful reminder: “Our job is to inspire.”

Both messages have guided our work throughout the week.

💰🔬 Learning Beyond the Classroom

Learning extended beyond engineering challenges this week through both problem-solving activities and real-world exploration.

During Budget Battle, students worked in teams to balance cost, quality, and performance while staying within a limited budget, discovering that every decision involves tradeoffs—a valuable lesson in engineering, finance, and life.

Students also visited the California Science Center, where they explored science and innovation through hands-on exhibits and interactive experiences. Cindy Smet, Co-Founder of the Smet Foundation and a member of the California Science Center Foundation Board of Trustees joined and encouraged students to be curious, discover, and have fun!

👔 Welcome to the World of Work

This summer, we are proud to employ 20 Onward Scholars students who successfully completed a competitive application and interview process to earn positions as Program Assistants. For many of our 9th, 10th, and 11th grade scholars, this is their first paid job.

From completing onboarding paperwork and learning workplace expectations to understanding taxes, professionalism, and communication, our high school Program Assistants are gaining valuable real-world experience that extends far beyond the classroom.

One program assistant summed it up best, "applying for the job and filling out all the paperwork was harder than the job itself!"

Students have embraced their new roles as colleagues, bringing enthusiasm, humor, and a growing understanding of the professional world.

🚀 Coming Next Week

Next week, students will:

Build and launch rockets
Explore gravity
Experience science in action during a harbor cruise field trip

We cannot wait to see what they discover next!

As we reflect on an incredible first week, we are grateful to our students, families, staff, and partners for making this journey possible. A special thank you to the O2HS Directors and Chief Operating Officer for their dedication and inspiration! And a very special thank you to the Smet Foundation team!

Week 1 has already demonstrated what can happen when students are given opportunities to explore, create, collaborate, and believe in themselves.

We can't wait to see what Week 2 brings. 🚀

Partner Schools

Thank You to Our Partner Schools

Thank you to our incredible host partner schools for helping make Summer Institute possible:

Bishop Mora Salesian High School*

Cathedral High School

Sacred Heart High School*

St. Anthony High School

St. Pius X–St. Matthias Academy

St. Mary's Academy

*Summer Institute programs will launch at Bishop Mora Salesian High School and Sacred Heart High School in 2027 following exciting campus renovations.