All three comprehensive high schools in Covina-Valley Unified School District have been ranked among the top 25% of public high schools nationwide and the top 35% in California by U.S. News & World Report, underscoring the District’s unwavering commitment to student success. U.S. News evaluates schools based on six key indicators of achievement and quality: college readiness, state assessment proficiency, state assessment performance, underserved student performance, college curriculum breadth, and graduation rates.
Mountain View High School students, staff, and the El Monte Union community celebrated the completion of the school’s Modernization Project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 9. The event highlighted major campus upgrades including classrooms, athletic facilities, redesigned landscaping and outdoor seating, and infrastructure improvements. The ceremony featured speeches from Principal Jose Bañas, Associated Student Body President Heidi Scanlan, El Monte Union High School District Board of Trustees President Florencio Briones, and Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga, followed by a taco dinner for the community.
Upland Unified School District is transforming student wellness with dedicated wellness centers on all 14 campuses, providing safe and welcoming spaces that nurture mental health, foster connection, and ensure every student feels seen and supported, all through a bold initiative funded by District resources and grants. Each wellness center is tailored to meet the unique needs of its school community, but all share a calming atmosphere and dedicated staff who provide individualized and group support. Beginning in elementary school, students can visit centers to practice calming strategies such as deep breathing, light yoga stretches, or taking a short break with a book. At the middle school level, counselors lead proactive social skills groups and teach stress management strategies. High school wellness centers focus on student check-ins, emotional regulation, and quick “brain breaks” that allow students to reset and return to class ready to learn.
Three recent Bonita Unified graduates looking to learn more about protecting the environment and the importance of processing recycling materials and organic waste spent the summer as interns for Waste Management (WM), assisting the Baldwin Park-based company in its efforts to ensure corporations and businesses are complying with green waste mandates issued by the state of California. San Dimas High School Class of 2025 graduates Jacob Hidalgo and Krishna Ramnani teamed up with Bonita High School Class of 2025 graduate Isabel Rodriguez for the one-month internship, working with Waste Management representatives to canvass areas and contact companies that have failed to comply with Senate Bill (SB) 1383, which requires all residents and entities to put green waste – such as fruits, vegetables, and coffee grounds – in yard waste containers.
Covina High School junior Gatsbee Gumban, known by his teammates as “The Great Gatsbee,” has been named the Sports Illustrated National High School Boys Athlete of the Week for Aug. 18-24, a recognition that highlights his extraordinary football performance. In a game against La Puente High School on Aug. 21, Gumban rushed for 337 yards and scored four touchdowns, powering the Colts to a 49-35 victory and earning him the national recognition. Beyond his athletic ability, Gumban is known for his kindness and humility both on and off the field, consistently supporting his teammates, classmates, and school community.
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.
For the first time, Fontana Unified School District (FUSD) will host the annual Regional College and Career Fair on a District campus Jurupa Hills High School. Presented in partnership with Chaffey Joint Union High School District (CJUHSD), the fair will serve as a one-stop shop where thousands of K-12 students and families can connect with more than 70 colleges, universities, and employers to explore post-graduation pathways. The Regional College and Career Fair is part of Fontana Unified’s ongoing commitment to boosting college and career readiness by removing barriers and increasing access to information and financial support.
The Bonita Bearcats and San Dimas Saints will compete for the coveted silver Smudge Pot, an oil-burning tool once used to protect fruit trees from frost and a nod to the cities’ roots in the Southern California citrus industry. Overall, the Bearcats have a 27-24-1 lifetime record against the Saints. A complete history of the rivalry game, including scores, records, and archival photographs, can be found at .
Whittier Union High School District’s five comprehensive high schools have been ranked in the top 20% of public high schools nationwide and the top third in California by U.S. News & World Report, reflecting the District’s commitment to doing Whatever It Takes to prepare students for college, careers, and life. The rankings are based on six factors: college readiness, state assessment proficiency, state assessment performance, underserved student performance, college curriculum breadth, and graduation rates.
In an emotional tribute to three community leaders whose vision and dedication transformed the lives of generations of students, the El Monte Union High School District (EMUHSD) officially dedicated the newly renovated multi-purpose building and gymnasium at Fernando R. Ledesma High School (FRLHS), renaming it the Freddy and Bernie Arteaga and Frank Ogaz Center on Aug. 27. The evening ceremony brought together families, staff, alumni, and community members to honor the Arteaga brothers and the late Frank Ogaz for their decades of service to students. The celebration featured heartfelt speeches, special recognitions, a ceremonial unveiling and ribbon-cutting, and a community taco dinner.
