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Hacienda La Puente Unified School District

  • Hacienda La Puente Unified Produces First Districtwide Musical with Broadway Bound Summer Conservatory Program

    Hacienda La Puente Unified students are tapping into new passions for singing, acting, and dancing while strengthening confidence and leadership skills as they perform together in the District’s first-ever musical performance through the new Broadway Bound Summer Musical Theatre Conservatory. More than 130 elementary, middle, and high school students will showcase Roald Dahl’s “Matilda” with three performances on Saturday, June 28, and Sunday, June 29 at Citrus College’s Haugh Performing Arts Center. Naya Sanchez, a rising Grazide Elementary School fifth-grader, said she always wanted to act and perform, and when her mom saw the flyer announcing the District’s Conservatory and summer production, she seized the opportunity.

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  • Hacienda La Puente Unified to Stage First Districtwide Show with Roald Dahl’s “Matilda”

    More than 130 Hacienda La Puente students spanning elementary to high school will perform in the District’s inaugural Broadway musical performance of Roald Dahl’s “Matilda,” thanks to HLPUSD’s newly launched Broadway Bound Summer Musical Theatre Conservatory. Through the program, students are receiving an elevated, professional Broadway experience with approximately 75 students performing on stage, and more than 50 students in the orchestra or backstage.

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  • Hacienda La Puente Unified Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez to Conclude Tenure, Begin New Chapter at Culver City Unified

    Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez will conclude his tenure at Hacienda La Puente Unified School District on June 30, after accepting the role of superintendent for Culver City Unified School District. He will begin his new position on July 1. Dr. Jiménez has led HLPUSD with distinguished service since his appointment in 2020, guiding the District through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and spearheading transformative initiatives that elevated the District’s standing on both state and national levels.

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Hacienda La Puente Unified Middle Schools Named 2025 Schools to Watch, Showcasing Excellence

The California League of Middle Schools (CLMS) recognized four Hacienda La Puente Unified School District schools for their exceptional contributions to academic excellence, social and emotional support, and hands-on programs that prepare students for future success. Grandview College Preparatory Academy and Sparks Middle School are among 46 California schools to be newly designated as Schools to Watch, with Newton and Orange Grove middle schools being among 44 others to be redesignated. All schools were honored during the National Schools to Watch conference from March 6 to 7.

Hacienda La Puente Unified Celebrates Lunar New Year with Student Arts Performances

Hacienda La Puente Unified brought the Year of the Snake alive during a visually stunning and melodious Lunar New Year’s celebration on Feb. 18 featuring the student talents of Glen A. Wilson and Los Altos high schools, and Mesa Robles and Newton middle schools, who honored the holiday’s cultural heritage with song and dance. Wilson High senior Taylor Hornell, who attended previous District Lunar New Year celebrations, said he was eager for an opportunity to kick off the cultural festivities and provided opening remarks in Mandarin, with others speaking in English and Korean.

Hacienda La Puente Unified Celebrates 10th Annual State of the District, Highlights District Growth

Hacienda La Puente Unified’s community came together for the 10th annual State of the District event on Feb. 6, which highlighted the District’s commitment to engaging students to become lifelong learners while celebrating key milestones achieved in the past year. The theme of the night was “Transformative Learning, Pathways for Student Success,” with Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez sharing how the District continues to evolve and invest in rigorous academic curricula and technological advancements to prepare students for future opportunities in rewarding, in-demand careers.

Hacienda La Puente Unified’s Glen A. Wilson High School Coders Win Congressional App Challenge

A savvy and enterprising group of Glen A. Wilson High School computer science students combined their knowledge and talent to create an AI-powered app designed to let users detect the possibility of skin cancer from their mobile phones. The app, named FOCAL, was recently recognized as a U.S. House of Representatives Congressional App Challenge winner by Linda Sánchez, California’s 38th District Representative. The FOCAL team, led by Wilson senior Julina Liu (database administrator), juniors Ethan De la Cruz (AI developer) and Alvin Cheng (back-end developer), and sophomore Nolan Huang (front-end developer), as well as their faculty advisor, Wilson computer science teacher Courtney Bushyeager, will be recognized by Sánchez during a special ceremony at Glen A. Wilson High’s Media Center on Thursday, Jan. 30 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Hacienda La Puente Unified Youth Court Program Earns Prestigious Golden Bell Award for Fostering Student Growth

A Hacienda La Puente Unified restorative justice youth court program that promotes an innovative, proactive approach to reducing out-of-school suspensions has been recognized by the California School Boards Association (CSBA) with its prestigious Golden Bell Award. The Youth Court Program offers students in grades 6-12 a peer-driven alternative to suspension. By encouraging accountability, reflection, and understanding of their actions' impact, along with support from Tobacco Use Prevention Education (TUPE) resources, the program has contributed to a 40% decrease in out-of-school suspensions for grades 6-12 during the 2023-24 school year.

Workman High School to Spark Holiday Cheer with Toys for Tots Celebration

Various school clubs will collaborate to create a warm, festive atmosphere for all attendees. Families will be welcomed as they enjoy the holiday spirit and receive thoughtfully chosen gifts, including skateboards, board games, toys, headphones, and much more. Guests are encouraged to open their gifts during the event. The event is funded by the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and donations from the school community are organized by active-duty USMC member and Workman High School English teacher Travis Bui. District officials and administrators are invited to attend and celebrate the season of giving.

Hacienda La Puente Unified Unveils New, Inclusive Playground at Lassalette Elementary with Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

Hacienda La Puente Unified celebrated the grand opening of Lassalette Elementary School’s new inclusive playground with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 18, bringing together HLPUSD administrators and the Trojan community to mark this space where Lassalette students of all abilities can play together. The project, financed by the District’s general fund, was designed to enrich the playground experience for all students with the new space featuring a range of accessible equipment tailored to individuals with physical disabilities. The welcoming outdoor space—designed by the District’s Executive Director of Special Education, Dr. Mayra Helguera—offers a variety of play options, including traditional and wheelchair-accessible swings, slides, sensory play areas, and an inclusive merry-go-round.

Hacienda La Puente Unified Recognized for Transformative Learning, C-STEM Excellence at UC Davis Conference

Hacienda La Puente Unified educators and leadership team showcased the District's innovative work in Computing, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (C-STEM) during a plenary panel at the University of California, Davis's 14th Annual C-STEM Conference on Oct. 4. HLPUSD was recognized with numerous awards at the conference, including Los Altos Elementary School being named a 2024 C-STEM Distinguished School, Sparks Elementary School principal Gilbert Barraza being awarded C-STEM Administrator of the Year, and Sierra Vista Middle School math teacher Kien To being named a C-STEM Teacher of the Year. These achievements underscore the District’s dedication to fostering excellence in STEM education and its commitment to providing students with the tools and opportunities they need to excel in a rapidly advancing technological world.

Workman High’s Early College Partnership with Mt. SAC Accelerates Students’ Journeys to College and Career

Hacienda La Puente Unified’s Workman High School students are accelerating their college and career paths with the Workman Early College Academy Network (WECAN), a program offering free college classes on the high school campus through a partnership with Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC). Now in its third year, the program allows students to earn college credits alongside their high school requirements, enabling them to participate fully in sports, extracurriculars, and their high school experience while progressing toward a college degree.

Hacienda La Puente Unified Students Explore Pathways to Success During College and Career Fair

Hacienda La Puente Unified School District (HLPUSD), in partnership with Assemblymember Lisa Calderon, hosted the Annual 56th Assembly District College and Career Fair on Sept. 14, drawing hundreds of high school and middle school students eager to explore future academic path and career options. Held at La Puente High School, the event featured more than 60 college and career booths designed to provide valuable resources and guidance for students planning their next steps. Among the highlights was a dedicated room showcasing career technical education (CTE) pathways, where high school CTE student volunteers from all four HLPUSD comprehensive high schools, HLPLUSD CTE Coordinator Dr. Lawrence Fitz, and HLPUSD CTE educators, offered middle school families interactive demonstrations, engaging displays, and detailed information about the exciting career options available through CTE programs.