COVINA, CA – 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.

“I am excited to spend my final year in high school with my closest friends,” South Hills High senior Mila Schmidt said. “I am looking forward to learning as much as I can before I graduate. I feel like South Hills has prepared me for life after high school.”

This year, high school students can choose from one of the District’s 25 career technical education pathways, including a new engineering pathway at Northview High School. Students also have access to innovative academic opportunities, including Spanish and Mandarin dual language immersion programs, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs, and advanced coursework through Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and dual enrollment.

“This year, I’m looking forward to the academic challenges, especially in English, which is my favorite subject,” Sierra Vista Middle School eighth-grader Sunnie Haro said. “I really like being part of the Where Everybody Belongs program. It’s fun to help people and to let them know how they fit in, then get them where they need to go.”

Covina-Valley Unified staff and community partners came together on Aug. 11 for the fourth annual Back to School Extravaganza, helping students prepare for the new school year with a complimentary pancake breakfast, haircuts, backpacks, and other school supplies. Free health and wellness screenings provided additional support to help students start the year healthy, prepared, and ready to learn.

“My favorite part of this event is the pancakes and school supplies,” Manzanita Elementary fourth-grader Aron Barrientos said. “This school year, I’m excited to learn new stuff in math and science. I really like science.”

District staff and faculty gathered on Aug. 14 for the annual Welcome Back Convocation, providing an opportunity to reconnect and prepare for the year ahead. State Senator Susan Rubio also delivered remarks to help inspire staff for the 2026-27 school year.

Over the summer, Covina-Valley Unified completed facilities improvements across the District to ensure all campuses were clean, updated, and ready to welcome students. Projects included annual maintenance and cleaning, field and track replacements at the District Field, continued work on the Covina High School Athletic Complex, building upgrades and football lighting improvements at Northview High, and more.

“It was fantastic to welcome our students, staff, and families back for what is sure to be another incredible school year at Covina-Valley Unified,” Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Blackmore said. “We look forward to continuing to offer an innovative education that inspires every student’s unlimited potential throughout the school year. We can’t wait to see all that will be accomplished.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

CVUSD_FIRSTDAY1: A Workman Avenue Elementary School student celebrates the first day of the 2026-27 school year on Aug. 17.

CVUSD_FIRSTDAY2: South Hills High School cheerleaders welcomed their fellow students back to campus for the first day of the 2026-27 school year on Aug. 17.

CVUSD_FIRSTDAY3: Sierra Vista Middle School Where Everybody Belongs members greeted their classmates on the first day of the 2026-27 school year on Aug. 17.