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.
Fontana High School’s dedication to ensure students thrive after graduation has been recognized through their Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program, with the school being named as one of four finalists for the college prep program’s inaugural AVID Global Achievement Site Team of the Year award. The winner will be announced at the AVID 2025 National Conference in December.
Bonita High School senior Savannah Morua, Chaparral-Vista High School senior Rachelle Torres, and San Dimas High School senior Jacob Pardus stepped into new leadership roles during the Bonita Unified Board of Education meeting on Oct. 8, cheered on by their peers as they took the oath of office to serve as the Board’s student representatives for the 2025-26 school year. Morua, Torres, and Pardus – who are all part of their campus’ Associated Student Body (ASB) or Renaissance leadership classes – will serve as the voices of their peers on a District level, attending regular Board meetings to provide reports on campus news and share feedback or concerns.
Fontana Unified School District’s robotics team from Redwood Elementary School competed in the World Robot Olympiad (WRO), Asia Pacific Open Championships in Manila, Philippines in September, going up against student groups from Asia, Europe, and Africa while serving as United States ambassadors. Redwood Elementary School sixth-grader Dalayza Ponce and fifth-graders Isabella Ruiz and Kylie Moorefield – collectively known as Two Bunny Robots – embarked on the international trip after their top five finish in the WRO National Tournament in July. With a 13th place finish in Manila, the international experience helped equip the Redwood Elementary students with the confidence to continue pursuing their passions.
Las Palmas Middle School teacher and Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Coordinator Christy Thiel has been named one of only four finalists nationwide for the AVID Staff Developer of the Year Award, which honors educators for outstanding contributions to professional learning, student success, and the advancement of the AVID program. In 2008, Thiel became the school’s first AVID elective teacher and coordinator when the program offered only one section for seventh-graders. Seventeen years later, more than 330 students make up the 10 sections of AVID at Las Palmas, spanning sixth through eighth grade, including three AVID Excel sections for students in need of additional language support.
El Monte High School history teacher Sara Quezada, a 37-year educator known for her innovative teaching and steadfast dedication to students, has been named El Monte Union High School District’s 2025-26 Teacher of the Year. Quezada, who has spent the last decade inspiring learners at El Monte High, was honored during a Board meeting on Oct. 15.
