Pathways Prep Academy, a new 9-12 charter high school opening in the 2026–27 school year, is coming to the city of Upland and expanding high school options in the West End region of San Bernardino county. Pathways Prep Academy is a “middle college,” a specialized high school model that allows students to earn up to two years of college credit tuition-free while completing their high school diploma, giving them a head start on college and career readiness. Upland Unified’s Board of Education recently approved the charter petition, and enrollment applications are now open. Designed to prepare students for success in both college and career, Pathways Prep Academy features small class sizes, capped at 25 students, and a smaller than average counselor-to-student ratio to ensure individualized academic and personal support. The program will cater to first generation high school students who are traditionally underrepresented or less successful in college settings, creating a supportive pathway to higher education.
Upland Unified School District’s StepUp Preschool prepares its youngest learners for school and life through an inclusive introduction to education. With approximately 150 spaces available each year, StepUp offers an innovative learning environment where children with special needs and their neurotypical peers learn side by side. StepUp Preschool is designed for three-year-olds and serves as a bridge into California’s universal transitional kindergarten for four-year-olds. Students are eligible to begin on their third birthday, and families may choose between morning (8:30 to 11:30 a.m.) or afternoon (noon to 3:30 p.m.) sessions, Monday through Thursday.
Upland Unified School District is transforming student wellness with dedicated wellness centers on all 14 campuses, providing safe and welcoming spaces that nurture mental health, foster connection, and ensure every student feels seen and supported, all through a bold initiative funded by District resources and grants. Each wellness center is tailored to meet the unique needs of its school community, but all share a calming atmosphere and dedicated staff who provide individualized and group support. Beginning in elementary school, students can visit centers to practice calming strategies such as deep breathing, light yoga stretches, or taking a short break with a book. At the middle school level, counselors lead proactive social skills groups and teach stress management strategies. High school wellness centers focus on student check-ins, emotional regulation, and quick “brain breaks” that allow students to reset and return to class ready to learn.
Upland Unified School District kicked off a successful start to the 2025-26 school year, marked by a heartwarming welcome for its youngest learners and the unveiling of an ambitious plan for program innovation. The District's commitment to fostering a strong sense of community and delivering exceptional education was evident as members of the administrative team visited all 317 homes of new transitional kindergarten students, personally welcoming them and providing home deliveries that included Upland Unified-branded shirts.
Upland Unified School District is transforming school meals from the ground up with a robust, innovative farm-to-school program that connects students with fresh, healthy, and locally grown produce, straight from local farms and gardens at each of the District’s 14 campuses. Every school site in the District now features a regenerative garden, maintained with the help of student interns from federally funded agriculture programs, Upland Unified students, and volunteers. These spaces serve as more than just gardens; they are outdoor classrooms and community hubs that foster hands-on learning, sustainability, and healthy eating habits.
Upland Unified School District (UUSD) is broadening its acclaimed Career Technical Education (CTE) program with the launch of three new pathways in Elementary Education, Agriscience, and Emergency Medical Responder. These additions will provide students with hands-on training and industry-relevant experience to prepare them for high-demand careers or further education. Building on its robust CTE program, UUSD’s new offerings will be taught by experienced industry professionals and provide students with practical, career-aligned instruction. The District currently offers 12 established pathways in Film, TV, & Video Production; Photography; Computer Science; Health Careers & Patient Care; Sports Medicine; Automotive Technology; Engineering Design; Residential & Commercial Construction; Welding & Materials Joining; Stage Technology and Production; Hip Hop Dance; and Modern Dance.
Celebratory cheers and thunderous applause filled Toyota Arena in Ontario as Upland Unified School District awarded diplomas to 778 graduates from Upland and Hillside high schools, sending the Class of 2025 on to their next chapter on June 5. The evening featured performances by the Upland High School concert and pipe bands and choir, as well as addresses from valedictorians and twin brothers Kaden and Kyle Huang, salutatorian Srinivas Gollapudi, Associated Student Body president Elyas Tejeda, and senior class president Alicia Mora.
Upland Unified School District has been recognized as “Favorite School District” in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards, with four Upland Unified schools also voted as favorites, including Sierra Vista and Valencia elementary schools, Upland Junior High School, and Upland High School. The Inland Valley Readers’ Choice Awards celebrate excellence in education throughout the Inland Valley region and acknowledge institutions that have demonstrated exceptional academic programs, award-winning athletics, and a lasting impact on the lives of students. Votes were tallied from ballots that ran on the Daily Bulletin’s website throughout January and February.
Upland Unified School District is hosting its 15th annual Fusion Fest, a celebration of student creativity, learning, and achievement across all grade levels. The event will showcase the talents of students from the District’s ten elementary schools, two junior highs, and both comprehensive and continuation high schools. Attendees will enjoy a wide array of student work spanning visual and performing arts, career technical education programs, and, for the first time, engaging science demonstrations – all led by students.
Upland High School concluded its spring sports season with the unveiling of a new, state-of-the-art multi-sports athletic complex, a transformative addition designed to elevate the school’s athletic programs, support the performing arts, and foster greater school spirit and community pride. The newly completed space features artificial turf baseball and football fields, a high-tech scoreboard and sound system, and lighted batting cages. It will directly serve student-athletes in baseball, golf, and flag football, while also supporting practices for other sports and accommodating color guard and percussion rehearsals. Physical education classes will also benefit from use of the modernized facilities.
