Borrego Springs, CA – July 2, 2025 — The sun wasn’t the only thing shining in Borrego Springs this week--BASIC’s summer Learning Academy launched its 9th year with a vibrant Parent Orientation that filled the UCI Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center with excitement, gratitude, and anticipation.

Families arrived to a warm welcome and left with backpacks stuffed with program t-shirts, water bottles to beat the desert heat, and free books to spark summer reading at home. Students and parents toured classrooms, met their teachers, and asked thoughtful questions about the month ahead.

“It’s always inspiring to see families so engaged from day one,” said Ken Collard, BASIC’s new Learning Academy Dean of Students. “This program is about more than academics—it’s about building confidence, connection, and momentum for the school year ahead. We’re not only closing gaps, we’re moving students steadily toward grade-level success—and that can change the entire trajectory of their education.”