Led by Chaparral Academy of Technology (CHAT) Principal Tim McCaffrey and buoyed by chants of “Show Us CHAT,” the school officially revealed its Epic Campus makeover, which has transformed the elementary school’s culture and climate, on May 13. Standing atop the school’s rooftop, Fontana Unified School District (FUSD) maintenance workers dramatically pulled away plastic tarps to unveil a series of newly-rebranded teal and purple Roadrunner mascots casting watchful eyes over the school and surrounding neighborhood, while faculty, staff, scholars, and parents cheered. Earlier this school year, Jostens Renaissance named Chaparral Academy the grand-prize winner of its second annual Epic School Revamp Contest. The win came with a $150,000 prize package that included a full campus rebrand.
Fontana Unified’s Class of 2025 will embark on a range of post-graduation paths, including continuing their education at top universities such as UCLA, Barnard College, Boston University, UC Berkeley, and UC San Diego; joining the armed forces; or launching directly into the workforce. Many graduates are equipped to pursue high-wage, high-demand careers through Fontana Unified’s 39 career technical education pathways.
Jurupa Hills High School junior Ashley Suarez has been chosen to serve as Fontana Unified’s Board of Education student representative for the 2025–26 school year, as the District continues its commitment to student empowerment and shaping future leaders. Suarez was selected following a competitive application and interview process with the Board on April 23. In her role as student representative, she will provide the Board with valuable insight on behalf of the District’s student body.
Truman Middle School teachers Christopher Leach and Kurtis Yinger have been recognized for their commitment to student success, earning regional or state-level honors for their impact inside and outside the classroom. Leach, a language arts teacher, was named a finalist for the California League of Middle Schools Educator of the Year award. Yinger, a history teacher, was recognized as a History-Social Science Educator of Excellence by the Inland Empire Council for Social Studies (IECSS).
Henry J. Kaiser High School’s award-winning Kaiser Artistic and Theatrical Society (KATS) program is wrapping up its 2024-25 season with a production of “Chicago.” KATS offers Kaiser High students advanced theatre instruction, preparing them for success in performance and technical roles. Tickets for the performances can be purchased at the door.
Fontana Unified School District Board of Education Vice President Danielle Holley and Board Member Mary Sandoval have been named 2025 Women of Distinction by Assemblymember James Ramos in recognition of their leadership in education and service to the Fontana community. Each year, Assemblymember Ramos presents Women of Distinction awards to celebrate those women in Assembly District 45 whose dedication to service, excellence, and leadership have had a profound impact on their communities. Thirteen women earned recognition this year, including Holley and Sandoval.
Surrounded by steel-framed structures on a dirt lot, Fontana Unified School District (FUSD) staff, community members, and dignitaries took turns signing their names or well wishes onto the final steel beam of the District’s new secondary academy before it was hoisted into place during a traditional “topping off” ceremony on April 11. Located in the growing north end of Fontana at Citrus Avenue and Casa Grande Avenue, the academy will serve seventh- through 12th-grade students once it opens in August 2026. The 150,000 square-foot school will accommodate up to 1,200 students and is designed as a student-centered campus, emphasizing collaboration, creativity, and hands-on learning.
Three Fontana Unified School District elementary schools have been recognized for their excellence in closing the achievement gap with their selection for the prestigious 2025 California Distinguished Schools (CDS) Program. Beech Avenue, Date, and Shadow Hills elementary schools were named California Distinguished Schools by the California Department of Education (CDE) on March 25 in recognition of their academic growth and commitment to fostering positive school climates. Twenty-two Fontana Unified schools have earned the California Distinguished Schools award since its inception in 1985, with Shadow Hills receiving the distinction three times in its history. The schools earned the distinction under the program’s Closing the Achievement Gap category, based on data from the 2024 California School Dashboard. They will be honored at the California School Recognition Programs Awards Ceremony in Anaheim on Friday, May 30.
Fontana Unified’s new academy will provide students and families with access to small class sizes and high-quality academic instruction, supporting the District’s commitment to meeting the needs of its community, particularly the rapid growth in the north end of Fontana. The innovative three-in-one campus will serve as a school, community engagement hub, and gallery space, honoring the history of Fontana while showcasing original student work. Design features include STEM labs and maker spaces, robotics and fabrication labs, media production studios, outdoor learning areas, a graphic design studio, a research hub and study lounge, and a gymnasium.
Students in the Fontana Unified Theatre Conservatory will perform in the California Theatre of the Performing Arts’ upcoming showcase of “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.” The FUSD Theatre Conservatory partners with Theatrical Arts International Foundation Inc. to provide students with the opportunity to showcase their talents and gain real-world stage experience in a professional production. The general public can purchase tickets through Ticketmaster or by calling 909-885-8263.
