Glen A. Wilson High School Principal Dr. Danielle Kenfield and Wedgeworth Elementary School Principal Dr. Paulina Cho have been named two of the nine school leaders from the 2023 cohort of National Blue Ribbon Schools honored with the 2023 Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership from the U.S. Secretary of Education on Oct. 16. All nine recipients have served as catalysts within their districts, fostering positive school cultures and successfully finding new ways to engage students, families, educators and staff. The U.S. Department of Education will present the award to the administrators during the National Blue Ribbon Schools ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 16 in Washington, D.C.
Hacienda La Puente Unified’s Project Life Experience About Democracy (LEAD) program, designed to foster informed citizens by identifying community issues, developing solutions and participating in real-world civic action, has won the California School Boards Association (CSBA) Golden Bell Award for its excellence in amplifying the student voice and promoting change. This unique program, founded in 2014, was developed as an extracurricular experience for students to get involved in local politics and collaborate with various neighborhood affiliations year-round. The award-winning program continues to grow and is now available at eight HLPUSD schools within the San Gabriel Valley.
The program, founded in 2014, was developed as an extracurricular experience for students to get involved in local politics and collaborate with various neighborhood affiliations throughout the year, including the City of La Puente and its Parks and Recreation Department. Project LEAD is also a multi-year recipient of the California Department of Education’s Civic Learning Award.
Four Hacienda La Puente Unified schools were named 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education, recognizing public and private elementary, middle and high schools' academic excellence and success in closing achievement and opportunity gaps. Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez and Board of Education President Christine H. Salazar celebrated with the community at Glen A. Wilson High School during a District viewing party. The Hacienda La Puente Unified schools were four of only 33 schools in California and 353 schools nationally to be recognized as 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools.
Hacienda La Puente Campus Ranked in Top 4% of California Schools
Hacienda La Puente Unified’s Glen A. Wilson High School has been listed among the top-performing public schools in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-24 Best High Schools rankings. Glen A. Wilson earned a spot in the top four percent of schools, with more than 17,500 schools ranked. The assessment by U.S. News & World Report shows that Wilson Wildcat students have demonstrated outstanding outcomes in math, reading and science, have a high percentage of students taking and passing Advanced Placement courses, and a 96% graduation rate.
La Puente High School students now have an opportunity to immerse themselves in dance and nurture their creative talents, as the school’s popular dance program has been expanded into a three-year career technical education pathway. It is one of three exciting new visual and performing arts programs making their debut in the 2023-24 school year, joining a three-year Graphic Design pathway and a partnership with the Youth Cinema Project, which comes to La Puente High after successful pilot programs at the elementary and middle school level. Applications to join the pathways are still being accepted. For information, go to the La Puente High website.
The energy was electric as Hacienda La Puente Unified students were ushered onto campus with friendly cheers from teachers and staff, motivational speeches, musical performances and lively welcome rallies to celebrate the first day of school on Aug. 9. Across the District, each high school campus varied its celebrations to match their school spirit. The District’s elementary and middle schools greeted families onto campus to help students find their classes, meet their new principals and teachers, and get acclimated to their surroundings.
HLPUSD Announces Leadership Changes for the 2023-24 School Year
Hacienda La Puente Unified’s Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez introduced longtime educational leaders Elizabeth Kane and Samuel Yi as the new principals at Orange Grove and Sierra Vista middle schools, respectively, during a July 27 Board meeting. Additionally, the District appointed Lisa Mannino as the Interim Principal at Lassalette School. The District also announced two additional leadership changes, assigning Orange Grove Middle School principal Dr. David Nieto to take over as the principal at Sparks Middle School and Sierra Vista Middle School principal Ann Hanson to serve as the principal at Newton Middle School.
Hacienda La Puente Unified Siblings Take Passion for STEM to MIT
Sarah, Jessica and Michelle Lam, sisters who thrived in their educational pursuits at Hacienda La Puente Unified, demonstrated remarkable achievements during their time at Glen A. Wilson High School. Fueled by their passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), they embarked on a journey to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) after completing their studies at HLPUSD. Engaging actively in numerous programs, clubs, and pathways, they each graduated with a 4.6 GPA. Michelle, who was part of the District’s Class of 2023, will attend MIT this fall to pursue a mechanical engineering degree alongside her sister, Jessica.
Hacienda La Puente Unified has appointed Dr. Rosa Isiah as its new Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, effective July 1, 2023, bringing her extensive experience as a longtime educational leader who actively promotes equity, access, multilingual education, and a strong focus on closing opportunity gaps for historically marginalized communities to the District. Isiah, whose appointment was unanimously approved by the Board of Education during a meeting on June 22, was selected following an extensive search and hiring process, including an interview led by Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez, where they discussed the importance of quality public education, serving diverse communities and the District’s dedication to inspiring deep learning.
Hacienda La Puente Unified Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Dr. Judy Fancher was stunned and overwhelmed with joy as colleagues and supporters from every stage of her career greeted her with a standing ovation during a surprise retirement party held June 14 to thank Fancher for her vast contributions over the past 10 years and wish her well as she transitions into a new phase of her life. The Hacienda La Puente Board room was transformed into a Parisian paradise to honor Fancher, who was moved to see so many current and former colleagues come together to celebrate and honor her time at the District, which was highlighted by innovative practices and strong gains in student achievement.
