As a fifth-grader, Sofia Vasquez found math intimidating.
That changed when her older sister began tutoring her.
Her sister, now 15, had previously attended the Bruce W. Woolpert Algebra Academy, a free weeklong summer program that prepares students entering eighth grade for advanced math courses. This year, Sofia followed in her footsteps.
Now the Rolling Hills Middle School student says the subject that once frustrated her has become one of her favorites.
“I like how math can be challenging,” she said.
Sofia is among 165 students taking part in this year’s academy, now in its 17th year. The program, created by former Graniterock CEO Bruce Woolpert, has grown from just 40 students in its first year into a regional effort serving students from Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties.
Rolling Hills Middle School teacher Nick Bugayong has watched that growth firsthand.
Bugayong joined the academy 16 years ago, the same year he began teaching at Rolling Hills. Since then, he has seen the program expand to four locations—Graniterock, Driscoll’s, Joby Aviation and Taylor Farms’ One Main Street conference center in Salinas—while adding partnerships with educators, colleges and local businesses.
The academy brings together students from 17 middle schools in five school districts, including Pajaro Valley Unified, Hollister Unified, Aromas-San Juan, North Monterey County and Salinas Union High School District.
Its goal, Bugayong said, is to strengthen students’ understanding of the foundational algebra concepts they will encounter in eighth-grade math while connecting them with peers who share their interests.
“It increases their exposure and connection with other schools and other students who have the aptitude and appreciation in math,” he said.
The curriculum focuses on core algebra skills such as solving equations, linear equations and slope—concepts Bugayong said high school teachers and college professors consistently identify as stumbling blocks for students.
“The things that the high school teachers and college professors have pinpointed as being struggles for the students is what the academy hits,” he said.
The academy also exposes students to potential career paths through its corporate partners. In addition to tours at host companies, participants visit Cal State Monterey Bay, where they learn about college opportunities and STEM careers.
For Bugayong, those experiences are as valuable as the math lessons.
“The unique thing about the program is you don’t know what’s going to stick with the kids,” he said.
Over the years, he has watched former participants excel in advanced math classes, organize math nights at their schools and return to the academy as high school mentors. Others have gone on to attend Cal State Monterey Bay before returning as teaching assistants.
“They become leaders in their school,” he said. “You don’t know exactly what it’s going to produce, but it’s going to produce something.”
He said enrichment opportunities like the academy are especially important for students who are eager for academic challenges.
“It’s rare sometimes to find an enrichment program that pushes students who might not get challenged elsewhere during the summer, during even the school year,” he said.
This year’s academy is staffed by 48 instructors, eighth-grade teachers, college students and high school mentors, maintaining a 1-to-4 staff-to-student ratio designed to provide individualized support.
“The strength of the Algebra Academy is the combination of high expectations and strong support,” Executive Director Christy Sessions said. “That small-group approach ensures every student has the guidance and encouragement they need to grow their skills and confidence.”
For 14-year-old Sara Anaya, also a Rolling Hills student, the academy was an easy decision.
She enrolled after encouragement from both her mother and a teacher.
“But also because I just genuinely enjoy doing math,” she said. “I thought it would be fun.”
She says math comes more naturally to her than most other subjects, but one of her favorite parts of the academy has been meeting students from other schools.
“You just get to be around different types of people and interact with different personalities,” she said. “I feel like if you just come in with an open mind, you’ll have more fun.”
Rose Ann Woolpert, a Graniterock owner and academy board member, said those relationships are central to the program’s mission.
She pointed to the importance of mentors throughout history and literature, saying Bugayong exemplifies that role for the academy’s students.
“Nick is the ultimate mentor bringing up these kids,” she said.
She hopes participants return to their own campuses ready to encourage younger students, just as Sofia’s sister inspired her.
“We want you to be mentors,” Woolpert said of the program’s participants. “We want you to go back and share your stories about math to your brothers and sisters and your classmates and about how great it is to learn math.”
Ultimately, Woolpert said, the academy is about opening doors.
“We’re about building futures,” she said. “That’s our mission statement. And we want these kids to come back and work for us, and they do.”
