The nation’s Hispanic students are an incredibly diverse population, representing a mix of socioeconomic, language and cultural backgrounds. To highlight that diversity, Diplomas Count 2012 profiled individual students from the six largest Hispanic heritage groups represented in U.S. schools. Each of the profiles, featured below, is paired with a statistical portrait for that population group.
Dominican Republic

One Student, Two Cultures
Roger Sanchez’s ‘Afro-Latino’ heritage spurred questions from his new U.S. classmates.
Related Story: Dominican-Born Student Straddles Two Cultures
Federal
Language Learning Twice as Hard for Mayan Student
Luis Mis Mis had to learn two languages—Spanish and English—when he moved to the United States from Mexico.
Equity & Diversity
Native New Yorker Finds Spanish a 'Lost' Skill
A second-generation Puerto Rican, Alisa Rodriguez rarely uses her parents' native tongue now.
Federal
Student Travels 3,000 Miles to Reunite With Parents
Language was Adiel Granados' biggest hurdle after his long journey from El Salvador to Silver Spring, Md.
Equity & Diversity
Cuban-Born Student Readjusts to Miami's Cuban Culture
Lisbet Ascon came to Miami-Dade schools by way of Chile.
Federal
Guatemalan Transplant Thrives in Cross-Cultural School
After San Francisco International High School, Marlyn Martinez wants to study civil engineering.