Bonita Unified School District

  • Bonita Unified’s Annual Sports Fest Delivers a Celebration of Ability and Inclusion

    Under a sunny sky and with cheers of families echoing from the stands, Bonita Unified School District brought together students with special needs from across the District for its fourth annual Sports Festival on March 27, a day celebrating ability and inclusion. The event welcomed students to Saints Stadium at San Dimas High School for a day of track-and-field-style activities, including relays, long jump, ball toss and pool noodle javelin. The day began with an opening ceremony parade for each school participating. Students smiled and waved to families filling the stands, setting the tone for a day of spirited and friendly competition.

     

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  • Bonita Unified Middle Schools Recognized as California Distinguished Schools

    Bonita Unified School District’s two middle schools – Lone Hill and Ramona – have been designated as 2026 California Distinguished Schools by the California Department of Education (CDE) for their efforts to narrow the achievement gap and provide equity in education for every student.

     

    Both Ramona and Lone Hill middle schools, which are among 408 middle and high schools recognized by the CDE this year, have previously earned the Distinguished School designation. The program recognizes schools that are among the highest in the state for academic achievement; successful in closing the achievement gap; or serving rural and Title I communities and demonstrating exceptional outcomes. Eligibility for the honor was determined using metrics from the 2025 California School Dashboard data.

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  • Bonita Unified Elementary Students’ Creative Stories Come Alive via The Imagination Machine

    Oak Mesa Elementary School students saw their creativity take center stage during a campus visit by The Imagination Machine, which transformed student-written stories into lively performances that blended humor and the fundamentals of storytelling. Students gathered with anticipation in March as their classmates’ stories were introduced across three assembly sessions. This year, actors clad in paint splattered overalls brought seven stories written by Oak Mesa students to life through colorful costumes, music, and playful stagecraft. Over the school day, stories such as the mysterious “Ghost of Oak Mesa” and the heroic “Super Friends” were transformed into lively theatrical scenes.

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Bonita Unified Named Inland Empire Top Workplace for Third Consecutive Year

Bonita Unified School District has been recognized as a 2022 Inland Empire Top Workplace by the Inland Valley News Group, reflecting the District’s ongoing commitment to providing a culture of success that embodies its values of equity, mastery and a focus on results. This is the third year in a row that Bonita Unified has been named a Top Workplace by the Inland Valley News Group, which surveys more than 800 organizations and 30,000 employees annually about workplace culture.

Bonita Unified Band Director Performs in 2022 Rose Parade

In 1991, Bonita Unified band director Kelly Leyva showcased her musical talent on a world stage, marching in the Tournament of Roses Parade as a student in Los Angeles Unified School District’s All District Honor Marching Band. In a full-circle moment, Leyva returned to march the 5.5-mile parade route in the 2022 Tournament of Roses Parade on Jan. 1 – this time, as part of a 270-member marching band consisting of band directors from across the United States. As part of the Saluting America’s Band Directors project, Leyva and her fellow band directors performed in the Band Directors Marching Band and accompanied a colorful, animated float that embodied the theme “America’s Band Directors: We teach music. We teach life.”

Bonita Unified Band Director to Perform in 2022 Tournament of Roses Parade

In 1991, Bonita Unified band director Kelly Leyva showcased her musical talent on a world stage, marching in the Tournament of Roses Parade as a student in Los Angeles Unified School District’s All District Honor Marching Band. In a full-circle moment, Leyva will return to march the 5.5-mile parade route in the 2022 Tournament of Roses Parade – this time, as part of a 270-member marching band consisting of band directors from across the United States. As part of the Saluting America’s Band Directors project, Leyva and her fellow band directors will perform in the Band Directors Marching Band and accompany a colorful, animated float that embodies the theme “America’s Band Directors: We teach music. We teach life.” Leyva will play the mellophone, the same instrument she played in the parade 31 years ago.

Bonita Unified Board of Education Selects New Officers

Bonita Unified School District’s Board of Education held its annual reorganization meeting on Dec. 8, voting members into new leadership roles. The Board selected Derek Bahmanou as president, Glenn Creiman as vice president and Greg Palatto as clerk. Members Chuck Coyne and Jim Elliot round out the Board.

Bonita Unified Auto Shop Students Hone Technical Skills, Restore Truck

Bonita High School advanced auto shop students are getting a glimpse of La Verne’s past as they learn skills for the future, working in partnership with the La Verne Historical Society to restore a 1938 International D-35 pickup truck in time for the city’s 2022 Fourth of July parade. Under the guidance of Bonita High auto shop teacher Rob Zamboni, students are working toward a full restoration of the truck throughout the school year, rebuilding the engine and transmission, adding new tires and brakes, and refurbishing the interior and flatbed. The truck’s rustic exterior will be preserved to retain its authenticity. The restoration is a full one-year project.

Bonita Unified Special Education Students Gain Future-Ready Skills through WorkAbility I Program

Bonita Unified School District special education students are acquiring the tools for future success through Bonita’s WorkAbility I/Transition program, which provides comprehensive pre-employment training, paid work experience and job placement, while promoting self-advocacy and life skills exploration. More than 400 Bonita Unified students in grades eight to 12 have access to the program, which helps them find the right fit for them in the community and provides assistance with job applications and resumes. Working with the La Verne and San Dimas Chambers of Commerce, the District has established partnerships with local businesses to provide students with short-term and long-term job assignments.

Bonita Unified Auto Shop Students Hone Technical Skills, Restore Vintage Truck for Community

Bonita High School advanced auto shop students are getting a glimpse of La Verne’s past as they learn skills for the future, working in partnership with the La Verne Historical Society to restore a 1938 International D-35 pickup truck in time for the city’s 2022 Fourth of July parade. The vintage truck has a long and colorful history, representing a time when La Verne served as a hub for southern California’s booming citrus industry, and future three-time All-American halfback Glenn Davis led Bonita High to an undefeated season and its first football championship in 1942. Under the guidance of Bonita High auto shop teacher Rob Zamboni, students are working toward a full restoration of the truck throughout the school year, rebuilding the engine and transmission, adding new tires and brakes, and refurbishing the interior and flatbed. The truck’s rustic exterior will be preserved to retain its authenticity. The restoration is a full one-year project.

Bonita Unified Teachers Receive Mini-Grants from Rotary Club

Twelve Bonita Unified School District teachers were awarded mini-grants from the La Verne Rotary Club, providing financial support for educators who seek new ideas to enrich classroom experiences.The mini-grants, totaling $3,229.56, were presented to this year’s awardees during the Nov. 3 Board of Education meeting.

Bonita Unified Recognized in 2022 ‘Best K-8 Schools’ Rankings

Seven Bonita Unified elementary and middle schools have been recognized among the top performing public schools in California, according to the 2022 Best K-8 Schools rankings by U.S. News & World Report. Shull Elementary School and Oak Mesa Elementary School ranked in the top four percent and five percent, respectively, of elementary schools in the state. They are joined by Grace Miller Elementary, ranked in the top 12 percent, and Gladstone Elementary and Roynon Elementary, both in the top 13 percent. Ramona Middle School and Lone Hill Middle School were also recognized, ranking in the top 11 percent and top 16 percent, respectively. The inaugural K-8 rankings are based on student proficiency and performance in mathematics and reading.

Bonita Unified Offers Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing to Community

Bonita Unified School District is offering a free drive-thru COVID-19 testing clinic to students, parents, employees, and community members, held 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. The next clinic is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 20 at San Dimas High School, 800 W. Covina Blvd., San Dimas. The clinics will run through Saturday, Nov. 27. Appointments are not necessary to receive the PCR test, but every participant must complete a patient test request form.