There are two conditions that run parallel to each other that underscore the need to better understand the experiences of these students: a historic increase in the Latina/o student population and a continuing achievement gap for these students across the educational pipeline. Latinos are currently the largest racial-ethnic minority group in the U.S. (16.3% of the total U.S. population), and about 25% of all public school children are Latina/o (Kena, Aud, Johnson, Wang, Zhang, Rathbun, Wilkinson-Flicker, & Kristapovich, 2014). While Latina/o students represent a large segment of the student population, they are also overrepresented in the dropout category.  In fact, it is estimated that 41% of Latina/o students dropout at some point in their educational careers.  Certainly, programs and interventions are needed to ensure young children’s “school readiness” as the foundation for future academic success.  By participating in this focal point project, the team will aim to contribute to the national conversation on eliminating the educational barriers that Latina/o students must overcome by highlighting the strategies that result in academic success.