How NACP went From Cultivating Community to Creating Family Tradition

03Nov
by Samli Gonzalez

My family has been involved with New Academy Canoga Park since the very beginning. I remember my older sisters collecting signatures and attending community town halls when the school was first gathering support to make the dream a reality. When it came time to enroll my daughter in school a few years ago, it was an easy choice. All of my nieces and nephews had great experiences at NACP and from what my siblings shared with me, I was confident that my daughter could also succeed here. 

I believe that everything happens for a reason and when my daughter first started school, I had this surreal moment that confirmed to me that she was in the right place. I remember walking into an auditorium and seeing a bunch of banners with pictures of students, sharing what they wanted to be when they grew up. I noticed some of my nieces and nephews in these photos and was surprised because many of them are already in their 20’s. I immediately texted one of my nieces because her photo said that she wanted to be a marine when she grew up and now she is one! It felt very sentimental to see these old photos of my family and it reminded me of how important school is in molding your future. NACP is doing a great job of building a future for our kids because from first hand experience, I can say that NACP students truly grow up to achieve their dreams. 

Aside from having a legacy of NACP students in my family, my own experiences are also a testament to what an amazing school this is. My daughter’s first year at NACP is the most memorable because it set the tone for her entire experience here. Her teacher was nurturing and a great communicator. It wasn’t only the students who loved her, but so did the parents. She became one of my friends and we still keep in touch to this day. It felt special to connect with her on a personal level and I think it says a lot about how relatable teachers and staff are at NACP. It’s a place that’s about more than academics, they really try to understand you. So I would tell parents who are considering enrolling their children at NACP that this isn’t just a school, it’s a community.

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Samli Gonzalez

Samli Gonzalez

Samli Gonzalez believes that being a parent is the best thing that’s ever happened to her and it’s what’s made her who she is today: hard-working, successful, and happy. She loves being a mom of 3 beautiful girls! Samli sees education as a powerful tool to help us grow and be better members of society. She’s Guatemalan and, in her free time, enjoys crafting, writing, and listening to music.

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