More than 30,000 students returned to classrooms across Fontana Unified on Aug. 6, kicking off a landmark year celebrating 70 years as a unified school district and a legacy of excellence in education dating back to the opening of its first elementary school in 1888. Across Fontana Unified’s 46 schools, students were greeted with music and balloons, while staff and student leaders cheered them on as they began the new academic year. Students returned to expanded opportunities in career technical education and visual and performing arts (VAPA), further integrating their career aspirations and interests with classroom learning.
Bonita Unified students looking to learn more about careers as auto and diesel technicians received an opportunity to explore the world of auto mechanics and vehicle inspection during Citrus College’s Automotive and Medium/Heavy-Duty Truck Technology Summer Academy, one of several career technical education (CTE) programs attended by BUSD students this summer.
Whittier Union High School District commenced its 2026-27 school year with spirited back-to-school events held over three days, holding rallies and celebrations for more than 9,200 students, welcoming the incoming Class of 2030, and ushering in a renewed commitment to excellence, achievement, and growth.
Texas A&M University – Kingsville (TAMUK) is achieving record student persistence and retention rates by building a campuswide culture where every employee plays a role in helping students succeed. Fall-to-spring retention reached an all-time high of 92.6% in the university’s most recently reported cohort, up from 78% just two years earlier. Fall-to-fall persistence has also climbed from 62% in 2022 to 76.3%. TAMUK President Dr. Robert Vela attributes those gains to a culture of care they have intentionally built through participation in Caring Campus, which helps community colleges and universities create environments centered on meaningful relationships rather than transactional interactions.
After dedicating more than two years to community service and personal growth, Covina High School rising junior Jolin Zeng has earned the 2026 Congressional Gold Medal Award, joining just 877 young Americans ages 14 to 24 to receive the prestigious honor this year. To earn the Gold Medal Award, Zeng completed more than 1,300 hours across four areas, including nearly 570 hours of voluntary public service, 290 hours of personal development, 479 hours of physical fitness, and an eight-day cultural expedition. Her accomplishments far exceeded the required total of 800 hours.
Fontana Unified School District has welcomed the 2026-27 school year with six dedicated administrators assuming new leadership roles as principals across several campuses, including the newly opened Oak Grove Preparatory Academy.
Bonita Unified will begin the 2026-27 school year on Monday, Aug. 17 with new principals at Chaparral-Vista High School and Ekstrand Elementary School, bringing a combined 38 years of experience to their new roles. Kendra Lewis will serve as principal of Chaparral-Vista High School and Kara Duros will lead Ekstrand Elementary School; both appointments were approved by the Board of Education at its Aug. 5 meeting.
Upland Unified School District's Board of Education voted unanimously during its July 28 meeting to place a $236.7 million school improvement bond measure on the Nov. 3 ballot, asking voters to consider funding campus modernization, facility upgrades, and repairs across the District.
Upland Unified School District celebrated the opening of Pathways Prep Academy on Aug. 10, welcoming the inaugural class of 100 students to the West End region's first Early College High School. The historic milestone was marked with live music, dancing, and bursts of colorful confetti as students arrived to cheers from faculty, staff, community members, and local leaders before beginning a new educational journey that will allow them to earn college credits and an associate degree while pursuing their high school diploma. The VIP gala brought together Congresswoman Judy Chu, Upland Unified Board President Mary Locke, local educators, Upland community members, and a contingent from Atlanta’s nationally recognized Ron Clark Academy, whose innovative educational model helped inspire the creation of Pathways Prep.
Covina-Valley Unified School District welcomed nearly 11,000 students back to campuses on Aug. 17 with posters, balloons, red carpets, and excitement for the start of the 2026-27 school year, setting the stage for another year of achievement, growth, and innovative learning opportunities. Cheerleaders, Associated Student Body members, and staff greeted students as they arrived on campuses, helping create an enthusiastic and welcoming start to the new academic year.
Fontana Unified School District (FUSD) has launched its first-ever Fontana School Police Department (FSPD) Cadet Program, providing a pathway for public safety career technical education (CTE) graduates to return to the District for an exclusive opportunity to build their experience in the field. The program welcomed its first cadets: Zachary Flores and Nadia Whiting, two Jurupa Hills High School graduates who completed Fontana Unified’s public safety CTE pathway and are now gaining firsthand experience with the FSPD.
