Hacienda La Puente Unified School District
Hacienda La Puente Unified Receives Top Rankings in U.S. News & World Report’s ‘Best High Schools’
CITY OF INDUSTRY – Hacienda La Puente Unified School District is home to four comprehensive high schools, each offering a distinctive mix of programs and resources to support every student on their path to success. These schools ranked in the top 32% of schools in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Best High Schools rankings, released on April 23.
In partnership with global research firm RTI International, U.S. News evaluated approximately 25,000 public high schools and ranked 17,660 across the United States. Top performers were selected by weighted scores across six indicators of school quality, placing all four schools in the top 32% of the nation. Additionally, Glen A. Wilson ranked among the top 5% of all high schools in California for the second consecutive year.
“We are incredibly proud of all our high schools and their commitment to student success,” Hacienda La Puente Unified Director of High Schools Dr. Mark Anderson said. “These rankings underscore the hard work and dedication of our students, educators, staff, and school communities and highlight our commitment to providing vibrant programs and resources to ensure college and career readiness.”
Recently named a 2024 California Distinguished School and 2023 National Blue Ribbon School, Glen A. Wilson High follows a comprehensive instructional initiative framework designed to empower students by giving them the authority, capacity, and responsibility to own their learning for college and career readiness. The school offers students seven unique career technical education (CTE) pathways to inspire their passions. Students are encouraged to further pursue their interests through the more than 50 clubs on campus, including an award-winning Science Olympiad team.
Los Altos High is known for its vibrant school culture and community support. Students can gain hands-on experience in one of the six CTE pathways available to them, including a new aviation program launching in the 2024-25 school year and a 25-year-old engineering pathway. In addition to its strong academic focus, the school has a lively theater group, a top-notch dance team, and standout choirs that perform throughout the community.
“At Hacienda La Puente Unified, we are dedicated to fostering educational environments that support every student’s unique journey to success,” Board of Education President Christine H. Salazar said. “We would not have achieved this award without our outstanding AP programs, all of which have earned a spot on the AP School Honor Roll and received the AP Access Award for the 2022-23 school year for developing programs that create a college-going culture and ensure coursework is equally available to all students.”
William Workman High offers a range of CTE pathways, including a thriving music program, a state-of-the-art automotive pathway, and a cutting-edge multi-media pathway, and is also home to the only early college program within the District, the Workman Early College Academy Network. The program is made possible through its partnership with Mt. San Antonio College, allowing students to earn college credits on their campus. Students in this program have the opportunity to earn both a high school diploma and an associate’s degree upon graduation.
La Puente High School offers five CTE pathways, including the longstanding Public Safety Pathway, which has provided students with a three-year criminal justice, forensic science, and emergency dispatch program for nearly two decades. Students who pass the capstone project earn a Dispatch Certification, qualifying them to work as Police Dispatchers. Additionally, the school partners with Mt. San Antonio College to bring students the Upward Bound program, which provides academic services designed to boost educational success, including tutoring, mentorship, financial guidance, cultural enrichment activities, and more.
In addition to the high school recognitions, nine Hacienda La Puente Unified elementary and four middle schools scored in the top 28% of schools in the state based on the U.S. News & World Report’s best elementary and middle school rankings, released in November 2023.
“Our schools have created environments where students can thrive academically and grow personally, thanks to dedicated educators, innovative programs, and strong community support,” Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez said. “We are excited to continue building on this success and providing even more opportunities for our students to achieve their dreams.”
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HLPUSD_BESTSCHOOLS: Hacienda La Puente Unified’s four comprehensive high schools have ranked in the top 32% of schools in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Best High Schools rankings, released on April 23.