Griffin Connections

WHAT IS GRIFFIN CONNECTIONS?

Griffin Connections is a free summer program offered by Los Alamitos High School that allows students to complete a required graduation course through a combination of online and virtual instruction taught by LAHS teachers. The program includes:

  • 80% independent online coursework and 20% live virtual instruction 
  • Courses that meet UC/CSU A–G  and NCAA requirements
  • Approximately 3 hours of coursework per day
  • Grades that become part of the student’s official LAHS transcript 

Why Students Participate in Griffin Connections?

Students participate to create room in their schedule for:

  • Advanced or specialized coursework (AP, CTE)
  • Participation in athletics, arts, or leadership programs

It is critical that families understand that only students who will be enrolled in a full six-period day during the 2026–2027 school year are eligible to participate in Griffin Connections. TA (Teacher Assistant) courses do not qualify as one of the six required periods.

This program is specifically designed to help students complete a graduation requirement during the summer while maintaining a full academic schedule during the school year. Students who are not planning to take six classes during the 2026–2027 school year are not eligible to enroll. 

Courses Offered Summer 2026

Students may enroll in the course appropriate for their current grade level:

  • Current Grade 9 students → World History
  • Current Grade 10 students → U.S. History
  • Current Grade 11 students → Economics & American Political Traditions 

Important: Student Self-Survey Requirement

Before submitting a Summer 2026 Course Intent Form, students must complete the Griffin Connection Self-Survey to determine if the program is a good fit. The survey evaluates whether students:

  • Can work independently for approximately 3 hours per day
  • Are self-motivated and able to manage deadlines
  • Have strong reading and writing skills
  • Are comfortable learning independently in an online environment

Mandatory Expectations for All Students

Griffin Connections is a rigorous academic program. Students must:

  • Attend One Required Readiness Module (Zoom) - dates are listed below
  • Attend Mandatory in-person class: June 8
  • Attend Mandatory virtual class days: June 15, June 22, July 6, July 13, July 20
  • Students should complete the Griffin Connections Course Self-Survey to help determine whether they are a good fit for a Griffin Connections Course.

Required Readiness Module Dates:

Tuesday, April 14, 2026 @ 7:00 AM            Wednesday, April 15, 2026 @ 4:00 PM

Friday, April 17, 2026 @ 4:00 PM           Saturday, April 18, 2026 @ 9:00 AM

Tuesday, April 21, 2026 @ 5:30 PM         Thursday, April 23, 2026 @ 7:00 AM

Next Steps for Interested Students…

If a student is interested in taking a Griffin Connections course, they should complete the following steps:

Step 1: Review Program Information. Families should carefully read the Griffin Connections Information Guide and complete the Griffin Connection Self-Survey to determine if the program is a good fit.

Step 2: Submit the Summer 2026 Course Intent Form by March 6, 2026
Students must complete the Course Intent Form and turn it in to the LAHS Front Office no later than Friday, March 6, 2026.

Step 3: Notification of Seat Status by March 13, 2026
Based on student interest and course demand, a lottery may be required if more students apply than there are available seats. All students will be notified by March 13, 2026, whether they have secured a seat in a course or have been placed on a waitlist.

Step 4: Submit Registration Form by March 20, 2026 (Required to Secure Seat)
Students who are offered a seat must return the Registration Form by Friday, March 20, 2026, to secure their placement.

Students who do not return the Registration Form by March 20 will be dropped from the course, and students on the waitlist will be offered available seats.

Summer 2026 Timeline and Registration Process

  • March 6, 2026 - Course Intent Form due to the LAHS Front Office 
  • March 13, 2026 - Students notified of registration status 
  • March 20, 2026 - Registration packet due to secure a seat 

Griffin Connections is an excellent opportunity for students who are strong, independent learners and who will maintain a full six-period schedule next school year. We encourage families to carefully review the eligibility requirements and program expectations before applying.

ADDTIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT COURSE STRUCTURE

Students commit to completing a full-year course (both semesters) in two, three-week semesters. Requirements include attending one in-person classroom day and two Zoom sessions for Semester I, and three Zoom sessions for Semester II.

Note: Students will NOT receive credit for a semester if they miss more than one day of online-classroom learning. The in-person meeting is mandatory for all students. Office hours may be used to make-up the seat time for one absence. 

  • Semester I: (June 8 - June 26, 2026)
    • Mandatory In-person Classroom Day: June 8
    • Mandatory Zoom Classroom Days: June 15 and June 22
    • Semester Drop Deadline: June 12, 2026
  • Semester II: (July 6 - July 24, 2026)
    • Mandatory Zoom Classroom Days: July 6, July 13, and July 20
    • Semester Drop Deadline: July 10, 2026
  • Live Zoom Class Meeting Days are 2 hours in length

For more information about Griffin Connections, contact Alyssa Reyes, Assistant Principal of Curriculum, Instruction, & Instructional Technology, areyes@losal.org