Bonita Unified School District’s culture of excellence – which includes strong academic performance, high graduation rates and robust college readiness efforts – have earned its two comprehensive high schools a place among the top-performing public high schools in the state and country, according to the 2022 Best High Schools rankings by U.S. News & World Report. Among approximately 1,600 high schools in California, Bonita High School ranked in the top nine percent of schools and boasts a 98 percent graduation rate; San Dimas High was listed among the top 15 percent of schools, and has achieved a graduation rate of 97 percent.
Río Hondo College students were celebrated by professors, administrators, friends and family members as they decorated the college campus with adoring signs, bouquets of colorful flowers and congratulatory gifts celebrating the achievements of the Class of 2022. This year, 1,700 students earned Bachelor of Science, Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees. Of those degrees, 1,157 are Associate Degree for transfer, meaning they are eligible for admission to the California State University system. The 2022 graduation ceremony marked the fourth class of students to receive Bachelor of Science degrees from the College, with 21 Río Hondo College students receiving their degrees.
Baldwin Park Unified Unveils Renovated Soccer Field at Middle School
Baldwin Park Unified hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 20 to celebrate the unveiling of Olive Middle School’s renovated soccer field. More than 20 city and local dignitaries gathered for the event, which featured a special performance by the school’s band. The field renovation is one of the last projects to be completed using Measure K funds, passed by voters in 2006.
Banning High School Seniors Celebrate College Decisions
Banning High School seniors celebrated their college and career decisions during a 'Commit to Your Future Day' event on May 2, which included a fully decorated gym with an assortment of hand-painted college banners and graduation backdrops. Banning Unified will continue its end-of-year festivities with a Class of 2022 Parade of Graduates and its annual Senior Academic Excellence Awards Night, where it honors top-performing students with awards and scholarships.
Baldwin Park Unified, City Announce Youth Workforce Program
In partnership with the City of Baldwin Park, America’s Job Center of California, Goodwill of Southern California and the Baldwin Park Business Association, Baldwin Park Unified is launching a NextGen Youth Workforce Program to provide additional job opportunities to students and residents in Baldwin Park from ages 14 to 24. A kick off celebration was hosted on May 25 to formally recognize the program. The program will begin with 70 students who will receive work experience and training with local businesses and potential employers.
Baldwin Park Unified’s Elwin Elementary Closes with Final Farewell
Baldwin Park Unified hosted a farewell event for the Elwin Elementary School community on May 25 to celebrate and honor the legacy of the school and its students, teachers, staff and alumni. More than 300 Elwin Elementary community members reminisced on the years gone by while enjoying an outdoor barbeque with current students and families. The Board of Education took action on March 22 and approved the closure of Elwin Elementary School after the 2021-22 school year because of continued declining enrollment.
Baldwin Park Unified Celebrates Class of 2022 Graduates
Decked out in caps, gowns and tassels, nearly 1,000 Baldwin Park Unified Class of 2022 graduates celebrated the final moments of their high school journeys during commencement ceremonies held on June 1 and 2. With raucous crowds of family and friends cheering wildly, Baldwin Park, Sierra Vista and North Park high school grads gave each other farewell hugs, listened to inspirational speeches, and proudly walked on stage to receive their diplomas, with many acknowledging their supporters with waves and smiles. The Class of 2022 boasted many distinguished scholars who will move on to universities such as Stanford and Washington University in St. Louis.
Almeria Middle School eighth-grade student Alejandro Irineo waited two years for the chance to showcase his archery skills at the national level. Taking advantage of his opportunity, Irineo shot his way to a sixth-place finish in the middle school boys division of the 2022 Olympic Archery in Schools (OAS) National Championship. Facing off against dozens of highly skilled competitors from California and Florida at the April 23 championship, Irineo started strong, hitting a bullseye on his first shot, and ended stronger, making 11 of his 19 bullseyes in the final five rounds of the 12-round competition. Irineo finished with 342 total points, only 18 points shy of a perfect score.
El Monte Union High School District will host commencement ceremonies for the District’s five comprehensive high schools, alternative high school, adult school and transition center. The ceremony schedules are as follows: Granada Adult Transition Center at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 2 at the Adult Transition Center; Fernando R. Ledesma High School at 5 p.m. Thursday, June 2 at Fernando R. Ledesma High School; Arroyo High School at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 2 at Bergstrom Stadium; Mountain View High School at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 2 at Viking Stadium; El Monte High School at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 2 at Lion Stadium; South El Monte High School at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 2 at Eagle Stadium; and Rosemead High School at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 2 at Panther Field.
Covina-Valley Unified will host commencement ceremonies to honor approximately 1,000 graduates from the District’s three comprehensive high schools and alternative high school. Covina-Valley’s 2022 graduates have been accepted to colleges and universities including the University of California, Berkeley, Columbia, Stanford, USC and UCLA.
