Covina-Valley Unified will host its annual State of the District event, showcasing the District’s innovative programs and opportunities that prepare students for college, careers, and life. The event, emceed by Interim Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Blackmore, will feature a complimentary breakfast and the premiere of a showcase video celebrating the spirit, excellence, and dynamic offerings of Covina-Valley Unified.
El Monte Union High School District (EMUHSD) and two of its campuses—Arroyo High School and El Monte High School—have been recognized among California’s top-performing institutions, earning placement on the Educational Results Partnership’s (ERP) 2025 Honor Roll. The ERP Honor Roll recognizes schools and districts that consistently demonstrate high levels of student achievement, California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) scores, improvement over time, and reduced achievement gaps among historically underserved student populations. Approximately 21% of eligible districts statewide earned this distinction in 2025.
Fontana High School’s (FOHI) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (MCJROTC) marksmanship team has begun the 2025 National Sporter Air Rifle League season with precision and focus, securing four consecutive wins and maintaining its standing among the nation’s leading teams. Guided by coach LtCol Denny Meelarp, Fontana MCJROTC has earned a reputation for consistent excellence, qualifying for the national championships four years in a row and routinely placing among the top seven teams nationwide. The program emphasizes discipline, technique, and student independence, with Meelarp encouraging cadets to take ownership of their training.
When eighth-grader Lily Morales set her sights on reviving the cheer program at Traweek Middle School, she sparked a movement that led to the school’s first Pep Squad in 20 years, giving students new opportunities to lead, connect, and build school pride. When new teacher Heaven Velasquez introduced herself to her classes last school year and mentioned her lifelong cheer experience, Morales, a seventh-grader at the time, saw an opportunity.
Bonita Unified ProStart culinary students rubbed elbows with some of the top executive chefs and restauranteurs in the state as they displayed their award-winning skills at the California Restaurant Foundation’s (CRF) biggest fundraiser of the year, The Grateful Table, which raised nearly $300,000 to support California Cares, a relief fund for California restaurant workers. Held in September at the Del Mar Racetrack, The Grateful Table saw ProStart students from San Dimas and Bonita high schools work side by side with many renowned California chefs, including guest of honor Guy Fieri, to prepare a gourmet meal while BUSD ProStart alumni worked the front of the house, providing an exquisite experience for the event’s VIP guests and donors. San Dimas and Bonita were the only schools chosen to participate in this year’s event.
Pathways Prep Academy, a new 9-12 charter high school opening in the 2026–27 school year, is coming to the city of Upland and expanding high school options in the West End region of San Bernardino county. Pathways Prep Academy is a “middle college,” a specialized high school model that allows students to earn up to two years of college credit tuition-free while completing their high school diploma, giving them a head start on college and career readiness. Upland Unified’s Board of Education recently approved the charter petition, and enrollment applications are now open. Designed to prepare students for success in both college and career, Pathways Prep Academy features small class sizes, capped at 25 students, and a smaller than average counselor-to-student ratio to ensure individualized academic and personal support. The program will cater to first generation high school students who are traditionally underrepresented or less successful in college settings, creating a supportive pathway to higher education.
The Fontana High School Marching Steelers brought their energy and precision to Palm Desert Civic Center Park on Oct. 5, performing for one of their own—Blink-182 drummer and Fontana High alumnus Travis Barker. As the runners laced up for the “Run Travis Run” 5K charity event, the Marching Steelers performed pep tunes on Barker’s arrival and rallying the crowd at the start and finish lines. The event, part of Barker’s “Hit The Pavement” wellness tour, benefitted the nonprofit Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE), which supports disaster response and community resilience around the world.
From the moment California High School social science teacher Christine Segura graduated from Cal High in 2012, she sought to return to the school and district that she loved so much. Since being hired fulltime in 2021, Segura has expanded her responsibilities, serving as yearbook advisor, assistant volleyball coach, and as Co-Lead for Cal High’s Business Academy pathway. Now, Segura will begin a new role as an education advocate after receiving a Teach Plus California Policy Fellowship, making her one of just 20 California teachers to receive a fellowship in 2025. Teach Plus is a national nonprofit dedicated to empowering teachers to lead key policy initiatives that advance equity, opportunity, and student success.
At MiraCosta College in California, staff have made a concerted effort to support student success – an effort that will be further strengthened by the college embarking on a Caring Campus Refresh, re-engaging staff in the principles necessary to create a supportive and caring educational environment for students. From walking a student across campus to ensure they find the right building, to staying with a student until a problem is fully resolved, classified professionals are already creating meaningful interactions that leave lasting impressions. Caring Campus is based on research that shows relationships such as these lead to measurable increases in student persistence, retention, and success.
Whether in the classroom or out in the community, California High School senior Carter Crail leads with purpose, earning admiration for his academic excellence, strong character, and dedication to continuous growth. Crail boasts a 4.47 GPA, with 26 semester units of honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses going into his senior year alone. Crail’s dedication to civic service is rooted at home. He grew up being inspired by his mom, a lifelong community servant, and said he believes in supporting the community that nurtured him.
