With a new school year underway, Bonita High School’s ProStart culinary program continues to grow by leaps and bounds, inspiring a new generation of student chefs and hospitality workers. Since becoming Bonita Unified’s first-ever California ProStart Cup champion in 2024 and competing nationally, Bonita High’s culinary students have maintained a high level of achievement and innovation.
Bonita High’s culinary success continued over the summer at the California Restaurant Foundation’s annual Culinary Clash in Orange County, an event that pairs restaurant leaders with ProStart student sous chefs for a two-month mentorship experience, with the creations brought to life at a high-energy tasting event.
Sierra Vista Middle School students commemorated the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001 by honoring the National Day of Service and Remembrance with acts of kindness, patriotic posters, and activities and assignments focused on the importance of remembrance and hope. Eighth-graders created and distributed bracelets early in the week, challenging their classmates to do something kind on or before 9/11. The challenge engaged all 820 Sierra Vista students and encouraged them to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
Whittier Union High School District’s five comprehensive high schools continue to shine, according to the 2026-27 U.S. News & World Report High School Rankings, which again place Whittier Union schools in the top 20% in the nation and top 25% in California, emphasizing the District’s motto to do Whatever It Takes to prepare its students for success in college and career. Driving the success is a Districtwide commitment to student achievement, including increased participation and success in Advanced Placement (AP) classes, record-high graduation rates, a dual enrollment partnership with Río Hondo College, career technical education (CTE) pathways, and strong California A-G subject completion rates, which are mandatory for students to be eligible to attend UC or Cal State universities.
