BUENA PARK, CA – Beatty Middle School students learned how they can train guide dogs, build advanced robots, delve into foreign languages and plan their careers when Sunny Hills and Buena Park high school representatives visited on March 7 and 8.

Gordon H. Beatty Middle School students got a glimpse of their futures as Coyotes and Lancers as they spoke with students and faculty from both schools, who provided insight on how to prepare for the transition to high school in 2023-24.

“These visits were very important because it’s the start of how our students will begin to prioritize their goals leading to higher education,” Beatty Middle School Principal Joaquin Valdez said. “It’s all about allowing our students to think ahead and understand what’s available to them and how they’ll take on these high school opportunities.”

Each info session discussed registration, first-year curriculum, honors classes and extracurricular activities, as well as tutoring available through the Advancement Via Individual Determination program.

“I am immensely excited about Sunny Hill High School because I think it’s a great school and I’m excited about its world language offerings – I would love to take Chinese or German because I love foreign languages and their cultures,” eighth-grader Anthony G. said. “Hearing this presentation was a positive experience – it provided me with a clear idea of the pathways, which I could not get from reading a pamphlet.”

Guest high school students also shared how their favorite programs are setting them up for success – including Sunny Hills High School’s agriculture program, which allows students to raise animals that can be entered into contests at the Orange County Fair for cash awards.

“I am looking forward to attending Buena Park High School because I heard that their women’s water polo team is very good, and I want to try out for it,” eighth-grader Leia M. said. “I especially look forward to taking courses within their foreign language program, in particular to Spanish, and being a part of the school culture as a Coyote.”

Buena Park High School also highlighted its Academy for Early College, which allows students to take college-level courses while still in high school.

“Though we are sad that our eighth-graders are leaving Buena Park School District, we take comfort in the fact that we know we prepared them for the rigorous academics that are expected of them in high school, college and beyond,” Interim Superintendent Dr. Yvette Cantu said. “This visit from Sunny Hills High School and Buena Park High School was a phenomenal chance for our students to get an idea of what is in store for them on their academic journeys.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

HIGHSCHOOL1: Two Gordon H. Beatty Middle School students look through information packets, which outline some of the core academics and extracurricular activities available to them when they enter either Sunny Hills or Buena Park high schools. Representatives from both schools visited Beatty to prepare students for the 2023-24 school year.

HIGHSCHOOL2: Gordon H. Beatty Middle School eighth-grader Lauren G. said she is excited to study history and take honors courses when she attends Sunny Hills High School at the start of the 2023-24 school year. Lauren G. and others were given the opportunity to learn about various programs directly from visiting Sunny Hills High School students.