Covina High School will bring students, families, and the community together for an afternoon of celebration, fun-filled activities, and connection as it officially dedicates its new Athletics and Aquatics Complex. The event will feature a dedication ceremony and facilities tours, followed by a variety of activities for guests to enjoy, including open swim for kids, an exhibition softball game, a student vs. staff kickball game, music, free food, and more.
For 30 years, Fontana Unified School District’s Fontana Leadership Intervention Program (FLIP) and Junior FLIP have helped more than 1,000 students overcome challenges and make positive choices, with the 2025-26 school year cohort reporting some of the programs’ strongest data yet. Led by the Fontana School Police Department (FSPD), FLIP uses a “court of your peers” model to help students break patterns affecting their attendance, behavior, or academic progress. The 16-week course provides students with tutoring, mentorship, and structured lessons focused on discipline, emergency preparedness, and the importance of attending school. Participants take part in field trips and leadership development activities, and receive support in making positive choices at school and home. Families are also connected with additional needed resources to ensure students are supported every step of the way.
Fernando R. Ledesma High School (FRLHS) and Mountain View High School (MVHS) have been named among the 2026 America’s Healthiest Schools by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, earning national recognition for their efforts to create healthier, more supportive environments that promote the well-being of students, staff, and families.The annual program recognized 1,376 schools across 35 states and the District of Columbia for implementing best practices that advance whole-child health. Schools are evaluated across up to nine areas, including physical activity, nutrition and food access, school health services, social-emotional health and learning, staff well-being, and family and community engagement.
Upland Unified School District will soon welcome new leadership, as the Board of Education has selected Dr. Shinay Bowman to serve as the District’s next superintendent. Current Superintendent Dr. Lynn Carmen Day announced her retirement in August and will continue to serve through the end of the calendar year.
Two Whittier Union high schools have been named Schools of Excellence by the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA), recognizing their leadership in creating welcoming and inclusive school communities. Whittier and Pioneer high schools were among 300 schools across the country to receive the two-year designation, highlighting parent, teacher, and student volunteers who work tirelessly to increase family engagement, advocate for teachers, support student achievement, and celebrate school spirit.
More than 7,000 students returned to El Monte Union High School District (EMUHSD) campuses on Aug. 19, kicking off a historic 2026-27 school year as the District and El Monte High School commemorate 125 years of serving students and the community. From music and spirited welcomes to colorful displays and student-led traditions, schools across the District brought their own personality to the first day of school. Associated Student Body (ASB) leaders, Link Crew members, band, cheer, and staff greeted students as they arrived. Several schools also welcomed new administrators who are beginning their first year leading their respective communities.
From young learners exploring classrooms for the first time to seniors preparing for a strong finish to their high school journeys, Bonita Unified School District welcomed approximately 10,000 students and 1,100 teachers and staff back to campus for the 2026-27 school year on Aug. 17. The celebrations began days prior, as schools held orientations for transitional kindergarten and kindergarten students along with back-to-school events, during which students met their teachers, began connecting with classmates, and participated in community-building activities. The festivities continued on the first day of school with senior sunrise activities, photo backdrops and colorful decorations across campuses, and welcome-back breakfasts.
Fontana Unified School District (FUSD) has launched its first-ever Fontana School Police Department (FSPD) Cadet Program, providing a pathway for public safety career technical education (CTE) graduates to return to the District for an exclusive opportunity to build their experience in the field. The program welcomed its first cadets: Zachary Flores and Nadia Whiting, two Jurupa Hills High School graduates who completed Fontana Unified’s public safety CTE pathway and are now gaining firsthand experience with the FSPD.
Covina-Valley Unified School District welcomed nearly 11,000 students back to campuses on Aug. 17 with posters, balloons, red carpets, and excitement for the start of the 2026-27 school year, setting the stage for another year of achievement, growth, and innovative learning opportunities. Cheerleaders, Associated Student Body members, and staff greeted students as they arrived on campuses, helping create an enthusiastic and welcoming start to the new academic year.
Upland Unified School District celebrated the opening of Pathways Prep Academy on Aug. 10, welcoming the inaugural class of 100 students to the West End region's first Early College High School. The historic milestone was marked with live music, dancing, and bursts of colorful confetti as students arrived to cheers from faculty, staff, community members, and local leaders before beginning a new educational journey that will allow them to earn college credits and an associate degree while pursuing their high school diploma. The VIP gala brought together Congresswoman Judy Chu, Upland Unified Board President Mary Locke, local educators, Upland community members, and a contingent from Atlanta’s nationally recognized Ron Clark Academy, whose innovative educational model helped inspire the creation of Pathways Prep.
