As the school bell at McNair High School blasted its 2:15 p.m. farewell signal to students Thursday, some teenagers darted for their cars, the bus or the sidewalk they traditionally traverse home.

There were 480 freshmen, however, who filed into classrooms for the latest installment of a two-week crash course preparing them for high school life.

"We're learning a lot about high school and problems that can come up," said freshman Breyana Semien, 13. "We know about how we get credits, stuff like that. I didn't know if we needed it at first, but it's been pretty good."

Freshman orientation is the first installment of Lodi Unified School District's newest after-school program at McNair and Bear Creek high schools.

The program is funded by a $2.5 million grant that will bring $250,000 to each high school for the next five years, the program's principal Neil Young said.

The after-school program is being implemented with two major components: a one-hour tutoring session and a two-hour block of what educators call "enrichment." The grant requires tutoring sessions be held in classrooms of no more than 20 students per teacher.

"Students who enroll are required to attend the tutoring session from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., in subjects they choose or think they need," said Sarah Solari, McNair vice principal and the site's after-school administrator. "The enrichment part is optional until 5:30 p.m., but we think the activities are going to bring kids in."

The enrichment block will be team practice or league games for athletes. Other students will have choices such as a book club, slam poetry, break dancing or music. Study hall also will be an option.

"I think it's good, and it helps everybody," said freshman Michael Lua, 14. "I've learned some things that I maybe wouldn't have without (the after-school program)."

Lodi Unified has operated the program at its elementary and middle schools for the past couple years, but this will be the district's first chance to provide comprehensive tutoring and learning-based activities to high schoolers on a daily basis, Young said. The program is being offered to every Bear Creek and McNair student and is mandatory for students who participate in sports.

"One of the main components is that we're going to use the tutoring for our student-athletes to make sure they remain eligible to play," Young said. "We want to stress to them that academics come first."

McNair High tennis coach Bruce Briggs said he thinks the athletics component will be a success.

"I think it will really help them prepare for that extra-curricular part of life," Briggs said. "It will be an invaluable program."