Surrounded by steel-framed structures on a dirt lot, Fontana Unified School District (FUSD) staff, community members, and dignitaries took turns signing their names or well wishes onto the final steel beam of the District’s new secondary academy before it was hoisted into place during a traditional “topping off” ceremony on April 11. Located in the growing north end of Fontana at Citrus Avenue and Casa Grande Avenue, the academy will serve seventh- through 12th-grade students once it opens in August 2026. The 150,000 square-foot school will accommodate up to 1,200 students and is designed as a student-centered campus, emphasizing collaboration, creativity, and hands-on learning.
Fontana Unified School District Board of Education Vice President Danielle Holley and Board Member Mary Sandoval have been named 2025 Women of Distinction by Assemblymember James Ramos in recognition of their leadership in education and service to the Fontana community. Each year, Assemblymember Ramos presents Women of Distinction awards to celebrate those women in Assembly District 45 whose dedication to service, excellence, and leadership have had a profound impact on their communities. Thirteen women earned recognition this year, including Holley and Sandoval.
Three Bonita Unified employees, known for guiding students in the classroom, supporting athletes on the field, and cultivating creative environments, were celebrated as the District’s 2025 Employees of the Year for their lasting impact across the District and their school communities during the Board of Education’s April 9 meeting. Bonita High School teacher, athletic director, and coach Darren Baumunk was honored as the District’s 2025 Certificated Employee of the Year; Mary Udria, a certified occupational therapy assistant in Specialized Services, was named as the Classified Employee of the Year; and Bonita Center for the Arts theater manager Melissa Stone received the Management Employee of the Year award.
Mountain View High School (MVHS) empowered students to take control of their financial futures during its inaugural Financial Literacy Fair on April 10, an interactive event led by the school’s U.S. Bank student interns, which offered hands-on activities and peer-to-peer lessons in recognition of Financial Literacy Month. Organized by MVHS’ 12 student interns at U.S. Bank, the fair guided students through key financial topics such as budgeting, SMART goals, the 50/30/20 rule, credit cards, and FICO scores. Ten interns presented tri-fold posters with short scripts, engaging students in real-world scenarios and personal finance strategies. Each intern was paired with a U.S. Bank mentor at their station, offering guidance and answering questions throughout the day. The remaining two interns served as emcees, directing attendees to stations and helping the event flow smoothly.
Henry J. Kaiser High School’s award-winning Kaiser Artistic and Theatrical Society (KATS) program is wrapping up its 2024-25 season with a production of “Chicago.” KATS offers Kaiser High students advanced theatre instruction, preparing them for success in performance and technical roles. Tickets for the performances can be purchased at the door.
l Monte Union High School District broke ground on a transformative modernization of its Rosemead Center Adult Education Complex on April 16, marking a major milestone in its ongoing efforts to expand educational opportunities. The $18 million project—funded by voter-approved Measure HS—will feature a two-story expansion, modern classrooms, upgraded infrastructure, and extensive site improvements to the campus, which houses both the Adult Transition Program (ATP) and El Monte-Rosemead Adult School (EMRAS). Designed to foster independence, skill-building, and academic achievement, the revitalized complex will serve thousands of adult learners annually in the western San Gabriel Valley, including young adults continuing on alternate pathways to a high school diploma.
At a crossroads with her education, California High School Class of 2018 graduate Abigail Villanueva had completed her bachelor’s degree in biological sciences and public health at the University of Southern California, with a goal of enrolling in medical school. But before she could apply to a college, Villanueva needed to gain clinical experience in a medical setting. Taking the advice of a friend and former Whittier Union Adult School (WUAS) student, Villanueva enrolled in the WUAS medical assistant program, a comprehensive two-quarter course where students gain essential clinical and administrative skills through hands-on training that prepares them for real-world scenarios, clinical training, and internships.
Bonita Unified School District continues to distinguish itself as one of California’s top-performing districts, with all 10 of its elementary and middle schools ranking in the top 32 percent of schools statewide in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best K-8 Schools list. The Best K-8 Schools rankings are based on U.S. Department of Education data from more than 79,000 public schools nationwide. The rankings evaluate performance in mathematics and reading/language arts, considering student background and achievement. Ties in overall scores were broken by student-teacher ratios. Each of Bonita’s eight elementary schools – Allen Avenue, Ekstrand, Gladstone, Grace Miller, La Verne Heights, Oak Mesa, Roynon, and Shull – placed in the top 32% of 8,773 elementary schools in California. Grace Miller, Roynon, and Oak Mesa elementary schools ranked in the top 15%, and Shull placed among the top 4%. In the middle school rankings, Lone Hill Middle School and Ramona Middle School placed in the top 21% and 11%, respectively, of California’s 7,160 middle schools.
