WEST COVINA, CA – West Covina Unified students returned to campus for the 2019-20 year on Aug. 15, ready to learn new languages, jumpstart their college education and strive for success thanks to expanded learning opportunities and the promise of new and upgraded facilities.

Many schools welcomed students and families with cheers and signs of encouragement, as well as backdrops for first-day photo ops. Clad in red shirts, West Covina High School’s Link Crew greeted freshmen and made themselves available to answer questions and provide support throughout the day.

“West Covina Unified is founded on the belief that every student receive a rigorous, high-quality education that inspires college- and career-readiness and fosters positive community engagement,” WCUSD Superintendent Charles D. Hinman said. “We are looking forward to furthering these efforts in 2019-20 and inspiring lifelong success.”

Mt. SAC Early College Academy welcomed its second freshman class this year, introducing a new group of students to the rigors of the District’s flagship dual-enrollment high school. The Academy, which opened in fall 2018, provides students the opportunity to earn up to two years of transferable college credit as they pursue their high school diploma.

West Covina Unified also expanded its highly successful Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program by adding Mandarin instruction at Orangewood Elementary.

The inaugural kindergarten class, led by native Mandarin speaker Yuyan Chen, will follow a 50:50 Mandarin-to-English instructional model and use Simplified Chinese characters.

Several West Covina Unified schools are undergoing construction as the District completes Measure ES-funded projects, including an event center and sports complex at Edgewood High School; a science and career technical education building at West Covina High School; and facilities modernization at Mt. SAC Early College Academy.

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West Covina Unified welcomed its inaugural Mandarin Dual Language Immersion kindergarten class for the 2019-20 year on Aug. 15.