Elementary School Opens Success Center

San Juan Elementary is the first school in South County to offer a Healthy Start after-school program for children and their parents.

At the Center for Student Success, which opened last week, students can sign up for homework tutors, afternoon sports and computer, music and science courses. Their parents, meanwhile, can enroll in such classes as English as a second language, literacy, CPR and computer training.

“We are very pleased and gratified with the number of individuals and entities in the community that have stepped forward to collaborate with this program,” said Jackie Price, spokeswoman for Capistrano Unified School District. “The kids are the ultimate winners.”

The center also offers referrals to health care and other services at the Camino Health Center and the county Health Care Agency’s Arroyo Clinic.

“The program’s philosophy is that we want our students to achieve academic success,” said Meg Desmarais, the program’s coordinator. “To achieve that, basic services need to be met.”

Parent Zonia Martinez praised the program, saying it offers San Juan Elementary families a range of much-needed resources not previously available.

“I live here. I love the kids and think it’s very important that they have access to things that help increase their self-esteem,” Martinez said.

The center was built last year with a $400,000 grant from the State Board of Education. Similar programs were already operating in Santa Ana, Orange and Yorba Linda schools.

The center is open 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Information: (714) 496-3064.