FONTANA, CA – Fontana High School students are preparing to become the next generation of health care professionals through the school’s Nursing Assistant Program, with students in the 2025-26 school year earning a notable 99 percent pass rate on the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) state exam.

This pass rate positions Fontana High graduates for success beyond high school, preparing them to pursue their education in prestigious nursing programs or enter the workforce immediately as certified nursing assistants.

“The nursing program has impacted my confidence in an immense way,” senior Ashley Serrano Avelar said. “I am going into the medical field with knowledge that will support my future goals. I know I’m going to be a nurse one day, so being offered the opportunity to become a CNA while finishing high school was a very valuable resource.”

After graduating, Serrano Avelar plans to continue her education at a four-year university, eventually earning a master’s degree and becoming a nurse practitioner.

Serving as the capstone course of the school’s Health Science Medical Technology Career Technical Education pathway, the Nursing Assistant program provides students with extensive hands-on training in patient care. Through a partnership with Citrus Nursing Care, located across the street from campus, students complete a total of 100 hours of clinical training during the first semester. Second semester students transition into the Acute Care Nursing Course to complete their pathway.

During their clinical rotations, students gain real-world experience by taking vital signs and assisting patients with daily activities such as dressing, feeding, and personal care, allowing them to apply the skills they learn in the classroom directly in a professional healthcare setting.

“The most impactful hands-on experience for me has been helping those with physical disabilities because it shows how important your role as a CNA is to help them do daily activities they would struggle with on their own,” senior Diego Anastacio said. “The Nursing program has definitely cemented my ambition to continue into the medical field.”

Anastacio plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in human biology or public health and then apply to medical school, where he said he hopes to match with a residency program as a Hospice or Emergency Room doctor.

In addition to earning CNA certification overseen by the California Department of Public Health, students also receive CPR certification through the American Heart Association. These certifications give students in the program an advantage while pursuing goals for their higher education.

“I am incredibly proud of the motivation and potential my students have shown,” Nursing Assistant program teacher George Tiwari said. “Not only do they learn the skills required to become a CNA, but they also learn how to interact with patients and other healthcare professionals. The program really pushes them out of their comfort zones and prepares them for the realities of college and the workforce.”

To prepare students for clinical work, the program features a state-of-the-art medical lab on campus equipped with hospital beds, mannequins, and professional medical equipment. In this college-level training environment, students practice essential skills and procedures before working with patients during their clinical rotations.

“The Nursing Assistant program is a shining example of the programs and opportunities available to Fontana Unified students,” Superintendent Miki R. Inbody said. “We are proud to provide students with opportunities to develop both college- and career-ready skills while exploring meaningful careers that make a difference in their communities.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

FUSD_NURSING1: Fontana High School Nursing Assistant Program students earned a 99 percent pass rate on the Certified Nursing Assistant state exam.

FUSD_NURSING2: During their clinical rotations, Fontana High Nursing Assistant Program students gain real-world experience by taking vital signs and assisting patients with daily activities such as dressing, feeding, and personal care.