CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA – Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez will conclude his tenure at Hacienda La Puente Unified School District on June 30, after accepting the role of superintendent for Culver City Unified School District. He will begin his new position on July 1.

Dr. Jiménez has led HLPUSD with distinguished service since his appointment in 2020, guiding the District through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and spearheading transformative initiatives that elevated the District’s standing on both state and national levels.

“Serving the students, teachers, staff, and families of Hacienda La Puente Unified over the past five years has been one of the highest honors of my career,” Dr. Jiménez said. “This community’s resilience, heart, and unwavering commitment to education, all with the common goal to provide a better future for their students, has left a remarkable impression on me. I remain dedicated to supporting HLPUSD until the end of my tenure and will close this chapter with the same compassion, purpose, and pride that have defined my time here.”

Dr. Jiménez’s leadership was instrumental in launching pivotal programs for students to explore pathways that would define their futures. The speech and debate program is offered at each school site, and students have won national recognition and awards; La Puente quad students in the Youth Cinema Project have produced short films, which have premiered at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival, earning nominations in the categories of best picture and best actor; and computer, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics offerings have been expanded to prepare students for the ever-changing workforce demands.

At the high school level, students have access to a brand-new aviation career technical pathway program and an early college academy partnership with Mt. San Antonio College, giving them the opportunity to graduate with an associate of arts degree along with their high school diploma.

“Dr. Jiménez, I just wanted to say thank you for your dedication and for your leadership and the way that you’ve supported our students and staff,” Queenie Liang, a Glen A. Willson High School student, said during the June 24 Board of Education meeting. “Thank you for introducing life-changing programs and thank you for showing up to our competitions to cheer us on and to support us. Though you’re leaving our District, the impact that you’ve made here will stay with us.”

In addition to impactful student programs, HLPUSD has earned numerous state, national, and international recognitions through Dr. Jiménez’s partnership with teachers, staff, and executive cabinet. With the implementation of New Pedagogies of Deep Learning (NDPL), the District was recognized as an International NPDL District of Distinction, one of only three school districts worldwide to receive this honor, along with two schools recognized as International NPDL Schools of Distinction and nine teachers named NPDL Teachers of Distinction. The District was also awarded the California Department of Education Pivotal Practice Award for innovative teaching practices implemented during the pandemic.

Throughout Dr. Jiménez’s tenure, six of its seven middle schools were designated as Schools to Watch by the California League of Middle Schools; two schools were recognized as California Distinguished Schools; nine earned Civic Learning Awards; five were named on the Educational Results Partnership Honor Roll; and in 2023, four schools were honored as National Blue Ribbon Schools by the United States Department of Education – the highest number awarded to any district in California or the nation in that year.

Under his leadership, schools have seen a significant improvement to their state test scores, particularly in math. The District has also developed and implemented dual immersion programs in Spanish and Mandarin, including their expansion into middle and high schools. Hacienda La Puente Adult Education also expanded program offerings across its three centers.

Beyond academic and instructional improvements, Dr. Jiménez has prioritized equity and access for all students and their families, championing initiatives that promote well-being and community engagement.

Through the Community Schools Partnership Program Grant, HLPUSD secured more than $21 million in funding to provide integrated support and resources at 17 school sites, directly benefiting students and their families.

Modern improvements to HLPUSD schools and the community have also been completed, including the grand opening of a new campus for Wedgeworth Elementary School, a new kitchen at La Puente High School, and opening soon, the Workman High School Sports Complex.

The HLPUSD Board of Education is currently in the process of recruiting a new interim or permanent superintendent to lead the District in the upcoming school year.

“I am so proud to have worked alongside our Board of Education and dedicated executive cabinet, and how our collaboration has brought transformative learning opportunities for our students,” Dr. Jiménez said. “I wish for continued success for our students…keep reaching for the stars and I know all of your dreams will come true.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS

DRJIMENEZ1: HLPUSD Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez will conclude his tenure at Hacienda La Puente Unified School District on June 30 and will begin his new role as superintendent for Culver City Unified School District on July 1.

DRJIMENEZ2: Queenie Liang and her Glen A. Wilson High School speech and debate peers show off their medals, a program that was implemented during Dr. Jiménez’s tenure at HLPUSD.