Shull Elementary School students explored sensory activities and danced alongside classmates during the school’s inaugural Inclusion Fair on Oct. 9, introducing students to resources that support different learning needs and encouraged them to help every peer feel welcome. Students visited stations led by school staff, discovering tools that help students with disabilities participate and succeed socially and academically. The fair culminated a week of classroom lessons about recognizing differences, avoiding assumptions, and identifying barriers that can keep others from joining in.
Bonita Unified comprehensive high schools continue to excel, with soaring graduation rates and more students taking and passing Advanced Placement (AP) exams than ever before, placing both Bonita and San Dimas high schools among the top schools in the state and nation, according to the U.S. News & World Report’s 2026-27 High Schools Rankings. The U.S. News rankings, in partnership with Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International, evaluated nearly 18,000 schools across the country using six indicators of quality: college readiness; curriculum breadth; state proficiency scores; performance in reading, math, and science; underserved student performance; and graduation rates. Bonita High School and San Dimas High School rank in the top nine percent and 15 percent, respectively, of public high schools nationwide – improving slightly from the schools’ scores in the 2025 rankings.
Bonita Unified School District will celebrate California Clean Air Day and National Walk, Roll and Bike to School Day with two Walk and Roll events at La Verne Heights Elementary School in La Verne and Allen Avenue Elementary School in San Dimas. Families will be encouraged to walk, bike or roll to school rather than travel by car.
Against a backdrop of new, clean-burning electric vehicles (EV) and flanked by District school bus drivers and mechanics, Bonita Unified School District officially debuted its fleet of all-electric school buses and brand-new Level 2 EV charging stations during a green ribbon-cutting held at the District Yard on Sept. 17. As Superintendent Matt Wien and BUSD Board of Education members looked on, BUSD Transportation Director James Foster and Southern California Edison (SCE) Senior Manager of Medium/Heavy Duty PMO Ailsa Yew cut the ribbon, introducing a new era of clean energy transportation to the District.
Bonita Unified students honored first responders and remembered those affected by the Sept. 11 attacks during the 54th annual Smudge Pot rivalry game, which opened with a pregame ceremony and moment of silence on the 25th anniversary. The Sept. 11 matchup at Mt. San Antonio College’s Hilmer Lodge Stadium brought Bonita and San Dimas high schools together for an evening of community and remembrance. For students whose parents serve as first responders, the tribute carried a personal connection.
With a new school year underway, Bonita High School’s ProStart culinary program continues to grow by leaps and bounds, inspiring a new generation of student chefs and hospitality workers. Since becoming Bonita Unified’s first-ever California ProStart Cup champion in 2024 and competing nationally, Bonita High’s culinary students have maintained a high level of achievement and innovation.
Bonita High’s culinary success continued over the summer at the California Restaurant Foundation’s annual Culinary Clash in Orange County, an event that pairs restaurant leaders with ProStart student sous chefs for a two-month mentorship experience, with the creations brought to life at a high-energy tasting event.
Bonita Unified School District will open the 54th annual Smudge Pot rivalry game between Bonita and San Dimas high schools with a special pre-game ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11, including a moment of silence and recognition of local first responders and members of the military.
From young learners exploring classrooms for the first time to seniors preparing for a strong finish to their high school journeys, Bonita Unified School District welcomed approximately 10,000 students and 1,100 teachers and staff back to campus for the 2026-27 school year on Aug. 17. The celebrations began days prior, as schools held orientations for transitional kindergarten and kindergarten students along with back-to-school events, during which students met their teachers, began connecting with classmates, and participated in community-building activities. The festivities continued on the first day of school with senior sunrise activities, photo backdrops and colorful decorations across campuses, and welcome-back breakfasts.
Bonita Unified will begin the 2026-27 school year on Monday, Aug. 17 with new principals at Chaparral-Vista High School and Ekstrand Elementary School, bringing a combined 38 years of experience to their new roles. Kendra Lewis will serve as principal of Chaparral-Vista High School and Kara Duros will lead Ekstrand Elementary School; both appointments were approved by the Board of Education at its Aug. 5 meeting.
Bonita Unified students looking to learn more about careers as auto and diesel technicians received an opportunity to explore the world of auto mechanics and vehicle inspection during Citrus College’s Automotive and Medium/Heavy-Duty Truck Technology Summer Academy, one of several career technical education (CTE) programs attended by BUSD students this summer.
