Gilbert High School is celebrating two years of its Sports Intervention Program, aimed at re-engaging at-promise 11th- and 12th-grade students. In its second year of implementation, campus staff have noted an increase in student interest in their education, leading to improved grade point averages and higher attendance rates.
Developed in response to students’ expressed needs, the program, often referred to as SIP, leverages sports as a tool for academic success and social-emotional development.
Gilbert High School is an alternative high school in the Anaheim Union High School District. Many of its students encounter challenges such as low grades, attendance issues and complex socio-economic factors, hindering their involvement in campus sports teams.
“These obstacles often stem from complex issues like family difficulties, housing instability, underemployment, mental health and community violence,” Principal Lara said. “When they come to continuation and alternative education programs, they find that few, if any, offer sports programs.”
The high school’s co-ed program provides a pathway for students to reconnect with school through sports. Unlike traditional eligibility criteria, SIP rewards students based on continual improvement in academics, attendance, attitude and effort. This flexible model fosters a sense of connectedness to education while promoting essential life skills such as resilience and teamwork.
Most valuable player
Principal Lara highlighted the transformation of senior Miguel “Mikey” Huitron at Gilbert. Initially, Mikey skipped classes and felt hopeless, but he has since emerged as the captain of the school’s soccer team and earned the most valuable player award.
“The SIP program … helped me make new friends and gave me a reason to come to school,” Mikey said. “My coaches were always supportive and saw me as a team captain. They would always check on me to make sure I was doing well in school. I went from never coming to school, to never missing a day.”
The high school senior is completing his internship with “Gilbert Mercadito,” the Anaheim Union High School District’s first permanent food pantry on the high school campus and is expected to attend Santa Ana College in the fall.
Improved grades, attendance
The principal credits the guidance of educators Veronica Ortega-Gamez, Jenni Camerna and Monse Avila, whose vision founded the program. School administrators recently conducted a grade analysis of the student athletes who are participating in SIP and found that they achieved an average GPA increase of 1.2 points — and all demonstrated improved attendance rates.
“Our Sports Intervention Program has shifted our campus culture, bringing joy and excitement back into our students’ lives,” Lara said. “It’s about more than just sports; it’s about building connections, mentoring, and supporting our most disengaged students.”
The campus now offers flag football and basketball on top of soccer and provides opportunities for the athletes to compete with five other alternative high schools in Orange County.