There is perhaps no better measure of a summer program than whether students want to come back the next day.
This summer, they did.
For Maria Valencia, Chief of Programs of Brilla Schools Network, that was one of the most meaningful signs that the second year of the Brilla Solis Summer Program was delivering on its promise: give more students a place to keep learning while experiencing the joy, freedom, and discovery that summer should bring.
Building on Year One
The vision was shaped by lessons from the program’s first year. Schedules were simplified, fun was woven more intentionally throughout the day, and Brilla teachers and staff took on a greater role in leading the program. The result was an experience that felt distinctly Brilla.
The vision came to life in the students’ experience. They were engaged and excited, teachers brought energy and joy to each day, and attendance was stronger than the year before.
“Students showed up every day,” Mrs. Valencia said.
And they had plenty to show up for.
Students continued building academic skills while spending time with friends and favorite teachers, choosing activities that interested them, and exploring beyond the classroom. On a trip to Castle Fun Center, Operations Lead Shantell Kuilan created a “map of fun” so students could spend less time waiting in lines and more time enjoying the day.
Those details reflect the philosophy behind the program: keep children at the center of every decision.
The People Behind the Experience
Creating a summer that felt both purposeful and joyful required many people working toward the same goal. Alejandro Santiago played a key role in the program’s planning and execution, from monitoring attendance and coordinating trips and events to supporting families and staff throughout the summer. Brilla teachers, El Camino coaches, site managers, and operations staff brought the program to life each day, creating an environment where students felt known, supported, and excited to participate.
A significant part of the program’s growth was made possible through Bloomberg Philanthropies Summer Boost initiative. The funding allowed Brilla to serve more students and elevate the overall experience, pairing continued academic learning with field trips, special activities, enrichment, and other opportunities that made summer feel like summer. That investment helped Brilla move beyond simply providing a summer program to creating a richer experience designed around what students need to learn, grow, and thrive.
Families made that growth possible, too. “Without their trust, we wouldn’t be able to serve their children,” Mrs. Valencia shared. Families signed up early, asked about the program, and entrusted Brilla with something important: a meaningful part of their children’s summer.
Looking Ahead
At the heart of the program’s future is access: opening more doors and giving students experiences that expand what they imagine for themselves.
Years from now, the hope is that students remember a summer when school felt different. A summer when they learned, explored, laughed with friends, tried something new, and discovered that growth and joy do not have to compete.
And perhaps they will remember something even simpler: they couldn’t wait to come back.
Brilla Public Charter Schools 