Fontana High School’s (FOHI) boys water polo team made history when it earned its first-ever CIF Division 5 Championship, clinching the title with a thrilling 15-11 win over Baldwin Park High School on Nov. 15. After years of dominating the San Andreas League, FOHI had its breakthrough year in CIF, led by a poised group of seniors determined to graduate with a legacy of winning. FOHI’s 2025 boys water polo team is made up almost entirely of seniors who have played together for years, inspiring a close collaboration and generating a confidence that helped them stay sharp through five tough rounds of a CIF tournament.
Fontana Unified School District is celebrating the success of their Advanced Placement (AP) Capstone program students, with 34 scholars earning the prestigious AP Capstone diploma during the 2024-25 school year, and six receiving an AP Seminar and Research Certificate. AP Capstone graduates demonstrate exceptional research, writing, and critical thinking skills by completing a two-year, college-level program that includes AP Seminar, AP Research, and four additional AP courses of their choice. This achievement signals to colleges and universities that these students are well prepared for rigorous, interdisciplinary work and are highly motivated scholars. Certificates are awarded to students who successfully complete AP Seminar and AP Research courses without taking the additional exams.
Fontana Unified Class of 2026 graduates who are undecided about where they will attend college now have one guaranteed option: California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB). CSUSB’s Direct Admit Program guarantees admission to the school for all eligible seniors who have completed their A-G admission and grade-point average requirements. Fontana Unified is one of six San Bernardino County school districts to participate in the partnership with CSUSB, which was announced in September. The program aims to increase college enrollment by removing obstacles in the application process.
Upland Unified School District’s incoming freshmen got a first look at the high school experience during Upland High School’s signature transition events, Highlander Day and Incoming Families Night, which introduce future Highlanders to the school’s vibrant academic, arts, athletic, and extracurricular offerings, helping students and families build excitement and confidence as they prepare for the year ahead. Highlander Day invites approximately 800 eighth-grade students to Upland High School for an immersive, hands-on introduction to high school life. Students spend the day touring classrooms, exploring Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways, participating in a club fair, meeting student-athletes, connecting with peer leaders, and taking part in a spirited pep rally led by Associated Student Body (ASB), cheer, and performance groups.
South Hills High School junior Angel Duarte is taking a leading role in developing student-led solutions to challenges affecting schools after being selected for the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, representing Covina-Valley Unified School District. A key project of the 2025-26 LACOE Student Advisory Council is the year-long L.A. County Student Civic Changemakers Challenge, which carries the tagline “Real Issues. Bold Solutions. Youth-Led.” Students from across the county were divided into teams and assigned one of four pressing societal issues to research. Teams will present their findings and proposed solutions at a culminating showcase in June 2026.
