Laguna Niguel Jr. Academy’s Annual Mt. High Trip: A Tradition of Growth and Adventure
For over 25 years, Laguna Niguel Junior Academy (LNJA) has offered students the annual Mountain High trip—an enriching experience that aligns with the school’s mission to foster physical, mental, social, and spiritual growth.
As a small school without a traditional sports program, LNJA provides this trip as an alternative way for students to develop resilience. Each winter, students in grades three through eight participate in four weeks of skiing and snowboarding lessons at Mountain High Resort. Thanks to discounts from the resort and generous sponsors, the trip remains accessible to all students.
“I would never have learned how to snowboard if it wasn’t for this trip. It’s exciting to learn how to snowboard with your friends and get to learn new tricks,” shared Lorenz, a student benefiting from the tradition.
Beyond learning a new sport, students develop confidence and perseverance. Many start with little experience but leave with newfound skills. Teaching principal Aime Cuevas highlighted the trip’s camaraderie: “It’s wonderful to see some of our bigger kids assisting some of our younger kids when they are just learning how to ski.” Third-grader Leyla echoed this sentiment, saying, “I’m really happy that on the second day of our trip I learned how to ski all by myself. On my first day, I didn’t know how to ski.”
The trip also strengthens relationships between students, teachers, and parents. Many parents chaperone, supporting and forming lasting connections. One parent noted, “Our experience at Laguna Niguel Junior Academy has been exceptional. The school not only exposes kids to the outdoors but teaches them safety by adding a class every year to help them learn to ski or snowboard at their personal levels.”
LNJA embraces challenges as opportunities for authentic learning. Third- through fifth-grade teacher Christine Moningka explained: “LNJA embraces mistakes and failures, for this is when authentic learning takes place. When our students are on the mountain, there are moments of frustration and moments when they want to give up. But with all challenges, we push through and don’t give up. It’s a mountaintop experience—a shared experience between classmates, friends, teachers, and parents.”
Year after year, the Mountain High trip provides LNJA students with unforgettable experiences, life lessons, and cherished memories. More than just a ski trip, it’s a tradition fostering courage, camaraderie, and growth.
By Taji Saleem
How La Sierra Academy is Preparing Students for Success with AVID
In the summer of 2021, amid ongoing pandemic restrictions, La Sierra Academy launched an initiative aimed at equipping students with the skills and confidence needed for life beyond high school. The answer? AVID—Advancement Via Individual Determination—a nationally recognized program designed to prepare students for college and career success.
AVID is no small endeavor. According to its official website, the program is implemented in 8,000 schools across 47 states, impacting more than two million students. The results speak for themselves: 95% of AVID students complete four-year college entrance requirements, 90% of applicants are accepted into four-year colleges, and 84% of those who enroll persist into their second year.
At its core, AVID provides students with structured academic support and college-readiness strategies while also offering professional development for educators. Whether they are AVID elective instructors or subject-area teachers, faculty members receive training to integrate AVID’s proven methods into their classrooms. This helps foster a culture of high expectations and achievement.
La Sierra Academy is proud to be AVID-certified, with all administrators and full-time teachers for grades 7 to 12 trained in the program’s methodologies. This year, the school took another exciting step forward by introducing AVID 12 into its curriculum to ensure that students receive continuous support throughout their high school journey. To celebrate their achievements, the AVID seniors will join about 1,800 peers from Riverside and San Bernardino school districts at the Toyota Arena in Ontario—a testament to their hard work and dedication.
As La Sierra Academy continues its AVID certification journey, the school remains committed to professional learning and best teaching practices. The hope is that every student will be equipped with strong educational tools to achieve the opportunities that lie ahead.
By Victoria Karsten
Kids Konnect
The Mustard Seed of Faith
Emma sat frozen at her desk, staring at the math test in front of her. The numbers blurred together as anxiety gripped her. No matter how hard she studied, math just never made sense. "You can do this," she whispered, but doubt whispered back louder.
Emma’s grandmother had always told her that faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains (Matthew 17:20). But this mountain felt impossible to climb.
As she gripped her pencil, she closed her eyes and silently prayed, “Lord, help me trust You, even when I feel weak.”
Taking a deep breath, she started with the easiest problem. One question at a time, she worked through the test. When she got stuck, she didn’t panic—she skipped ahead and returned later. Faith the size of a mustard seed. Emma knew she had studied. She focused, trusted, and did her best.
The next day, her teacher handed back the tests. Emma hesitated before looking. When she finally did, her eyes widened—she had passed! It wasn’t perfect, but it was better than she had ever done before.
Emma smiled, realizing something important: the victory wasn’t just in the grade, but in trusting God through the challenge. Her faith, like a mustard seed, had grown just a little more.
By Taji Saleem
