Whittier High School has successfully renewed its six-year accreditation status from the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ASC-WASC), demonstrating that the school has the capacity, commitment, and competence to support high-quality student learning and ongoing school improvement. The ASC-WASC accreditation status received by Whittier High School is for six years, running through June 2032, with a mid-cycle progress report due during the 2028-29 school year. This is the highest level of ASC-WASC accreditation, and the third consecutive six-year/mid-cycle report accreditation status the high school has received.
After four years of excellence both inside and outside the classroom, four El Monte Union High School District (EMUHSD) students earned coveted QuestBridge Match Scholarships, securing early admission to some of the nation’s most respected universities with combined award amounts totaling more than $1 million. Arroyo High School seniors Samuel Ye and Thomas Mach, along with South El Monte High School seniors Ailani Rodriguez and Henry Liem, are among 2,550 of the nation’s highest-achieving students receiving this honor. They will represent EMUHSD at top universities in the fall, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Northwestern University, Claremont McKenna College, and Princeton University.
More than 350 Covina-Valley Unified students with exceptional needs, from transitional kindergarten through the Adult Transition Program, gathered at the District Field on Feb. 5 for the second annual Sports Festival, a high-energy event centered on inclusion, accessibility, and community. Students sported their schools’ shirts as they rotated through a variety of activity stations, including frisbee golf, javelin throw, basketball, soccer courses, bean bag toss, long jump, ribbon dance, and races, along with sensory areas, face painting, and cool-down spaces. Students earned bracelets and medals, heading home with flair and smiles.
Bonita High School continues its annual tradition of providing IRS-certified accountants-in-training to help local taxpayers with incomes below $69,000, through its no-cost Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Bonita High’s VITA program has assisted families in filing their tax returns for more than 20 years, hosting monthly Tax Days dedicated to the services, as well as individual appointments throughout tax season.
Southridge Tech Middle School eighth-grader and community leader Cyrus Moss, who led the effort in the successful renaming of O’Day Short Elementary School to pay tribute to the Short family and formally recognize their place in Fontana’s civil rights history, has been selected to serve as Grand Marshal for the 58th Annual San Bernardino County Black History Parade & Expo.
Upland High School (UHS) celebrated the completion of its new athletic field on Feb. 18 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking a major milestone for the school and broader community. The event honored the generous community partners and donors whose support made the project possible.Local dignitaries, school officials, students, and community members gathered to commemorate the occasion and honor Ralph Cavallo, a beloved community leader who was instrumental in bringing the project to life and who died in early February.
For the second time since 2024, the College Board has recognized three Whittier Union high schools for their continued excellence in developing a college-going culture on campus and creating paths to success in higher education by placing the schools on its 2026 Advanced Placement (AP) Honor Roll. La Serna, Pioneer, and Santa Fe high schools were once again recognized for increasing participation in their AP programs, giving students opportunities to earn college credit while attending high school, and maximizing college readiness. La Serna and Pioneer each received a silver-level award, while Santa Fe received a bronze award.
Fontana Unified School District (FUSD) celebrated academic achievement, strong character, art, and cultural pride at its fourth annual Black History Month celebration on Feb. 7, honoring the achievements and contributions of Black students and families across the District. More than 1,300 Black students in grades 3–12 were recognized for academic success, including high GPAs and excellent attendance. An additional 130 students and parents received Historical Figures Character Awards recognizing their leadership, service, and community engagement.
Sierra Vista Middle School students represented Covina-Valley Unified at the Lone Hill Math Competition on Jan. 24, demonstrating resilience, teamwork, and strong mathematical skills. Competing against five other local schools, the Sierra Vista sixth-grade team earned first place overall, while the seventh-grade team secured third. Each team consisted of four students who volunteered through the Sierra Vista Math Club. Students competed in both individual and team-based rounds, tackling advanced math problems that tested critical thinking, collaboration, and speed.
The Rotary Club of San Dimas continued its annual tradition of supporting Bonita Unified teachers by awarding mini-grants to help fund special projects and classroom learning. Rotary Club president Mike Wallace and secretary Steve Scott presented mini-grants totaling $3,200 to seven teachers during the Feb. 4 Board of Education meeting.
