Twenty-one students are studying this year at the Latvian summer high school Kursa, an increase of five from last year, according to co-director Tamāra Rūse. The school opened its five-week program June 29 at the West Coast Latvian Education Center.

One student will graduate from the high school this year, Rūse said. The graduation ceremony is scheduled Aug. 2.

The students hail from California, Colorado, Oregon and Washington.

This summer Kursa students are concentrating on preparing for the West Coast Latvian Song Festival, which is set Aug. 28-Sept. 1 in San Francisco. Many of the students will be participating in the event, Rūse said.

Students also are experiencing special activities while at Kursa, including a July 3 visit to the University of Washington in Seattle, where Guntis Šmidchens is leading the Baltic Studies Summer Institute.