FONTANA — Fontana Unified School District once again set a benchmark as 33 of its schools received California Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Coalition Awards for their dedication to fostering inclusive, supportive school environments that promote student success during the 2024-25 school year.

This is the fifth consecutive year Fontana Unified has increased the number of schools recognized, highlighting the District’s ongoing commitment to building social-emotional skills and providing educators with strategies to enhance student outcomes. All 33 schools will be recognized at the 2025 California PBIS Coalition Conference, held Oct. 8-10 in Sacramento.

PBIS is a nationwide framework designed to establish consistent expectations and supports across a school community. Using a tiered, evidence-based approach, PBIS emphasizes teaching and reinforcing positive student behaviors. By guiding behavior proactively, the framework aims to help students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

“Our continued progress in PBIS reflects how we are helping students grow, develop strong social-emotional skills, and succeed in all aspects of their education,” Superintendent Miki R. Inbody said. “Every recognition represents the dedication of our staff to creating environments where students are supported, empowered, and prepared to reach their full potential.”

Since 2015, the California PBIS Coalition has recognized schools across four levels: platinum, gold, silver, and bronze for effective implementation of its strategies. This year, 10 Fontana Unified schools earned platinum recognition, while 13 secured gold and 10 silver.

Fontana Unified’s investment in PBIS has led the District’s list of awarded schools to grow from 21 in 2020-21 to 33 in 2024-25. This also marks the second year in a row that Fontana Unified has produced double-digit platinum schools.

Platinum recognition is reserved for schools that demonstrate the highest commitment to creating supportive learning environments. Cypress, Date, Juniper, and Live Oak elementary schools; Dolores Huerta International Academy; and Alder, Fontana, Harry S. Truman, Sequoia, and Southridge Tech middle schools all received platinum PBIS status.

O’Day Short (previously Randall Pepper), Oleander, Poplar, Redwood, Sierra Lakes, and West Randall elementary schools, along with Dorothy Grant Innovations Academy; Almeria and Wayne Ruble middle schools; and Citrus/Eric Birch, Fontana, and Jurupa Hills high schools all secured gold honors from PBIS.

Almond, Beech Avenue, Canyon Crest, Mango, Maple, North Tamarind, and Shadow Hills elementary schools, as well as A.B. Miller, Henry J. Kaiser, and Summit high schools, all received silver-level recognition.

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

FUSD_PBIS1: O’Day Short Elementary School Principal Dr. Michelle Avila welcomes students to school. O’Day Short Elementary, previously named Randall Pepper Elementary, secured gold-level recognition with the release of the 2024-25 California PBIS Coalition Awards.

FUSD_PBIS2: Juniper Elementary School students prepare for class. Juniper was among 10 Fontana Unified schools to earn platinum recognition from the California PBIS Coalition for its commitment to creating a positive and supportive learning environment.