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.
San Dimas High School’s ProStart culinary team continued to make history while establishing itself as one of the top culinary schools in the United States after earning a fourth-place finish at the 2026 National ProStart Invitational, held in Baltimore in the spring. The competition brings together top student chefs from around the country, whose culinary creations are judged by a panel of professionals and industry leaders. San Dimas High, the reigning 2025 National ProStart Invitational culinary champion, received the opportunity to defend its title after becoming the first back-to-back California ProStart Cup champions since 2011 – the last year a school from California finished in the national top 10. Now, San Dimas High, representing all of California, has finished in the top four nationwide in consecutive years.
The San Dimas High School Royal Corps music program is celebrating a pair of gold medal victories in recent Winter Guard Association of Southern California (WGASC) competitions, with the school’s brand-new junior varsity Color Guard winning its first championship, and the Percussion Ensemble earning the top prize for the first time since 2010. The revival of the Percussion Ensemble is led by San Dimas Class of 2024 graduate Hunter Peterson, who brings a youthful approach to the ensemble that remains steeped in Royal Corps tradition. Peterson currently attends Azusa Pacific University and is working toward a degree in music composition.
Cheers and confetti filled the Bonita Center for the Arts as nearly 100 family members, teachers and staff gathered to celebrate Bonita Unified English Learners (EL) who passed their English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) exams during a Districtwide ceremony on April 16. A total of 27 students were recognized during the ceremony, taking the stage to applause as they were honored for developing English proficiency and becoming eligible to be Reclassified Fluent English Proficient (RFEP). The students, who join a group of 81 reclassified ELs who were honored in the fall, received medals, certificates, and goody bags during the ceremony.
The Bonita Unified Board of Education approved two new administrative appointments at Bonita High School during its June 10 meeting, adding new leadership to the Bearcat community ahead of the 2026-27 school year. Lauren Choi and Kira Grund will join Bonita High School as assistant principals, bringing additional support to a campus leadership team focused on serving students and staff. These additions round out an administrative team that includes assistant principal Joy Lindsay and principal Kenny Ritchie.
Bonita Unified School District has been recognized as a “District on the Rise” by the Education Scorecard, according to data compiled through the collaborative efforts of the Center for Educational Policy Research at Harvard University and the Educational Opportunity Project at Stanford University. The data reflects math and reading test scores throughout the District for grades 3-8 since 2021, which have risen steadily. The scores are compared to other districts with similar socioeconomic status, demographics, and size. Bonita was one of just 12 school districts in California to be designated as a “District on the Rise” by the Education Scorecard in 2026.
By the time San Dimas High School Class of 2003 graduate Lisa Carson received her diploma, she was already planning her return to the campus she loved so much. As an Associated Student Body (ASB) student leader, Carson realized that school spirit and guiding future Saints toward a path to success was her future. Carson fulfilled her destiny when she became San Dimas’ activities director and ASB advisor in 2011. Following in the footsteps of her mentor, former San Dimas High activities director and current Ramona Middle School principal James Ellis, Carson has balanced academic rigor with powerful school spirit, a commitment that has earned her the 2026 Bob Burton Spirit Award from the California Association of Directors of Activities (CADA).
Three Bonita Unified School District employees were recognized as the District’s 2026 Employees of the Year for their service to the BUSD community, highlighting the range of roles that support student success across the District. Ramona Middle School Physical Education (PE) and Adaptive Physical Education (APE) teacher Peri Berkler was honored as the Certificated Employee of the Year; San Dimas High School Cafeteria Manager Christie Reilly was named Classified Employee of the Year; and Bonita High School Assistant Principal Joy Lindsay received the Management Employee of the Year award.
