Whittier Union High School District’s five comprehensive high schools continue to shine, according to the 2026-27 U.S. News & World Report High School Rankings, which again place Whittier Union schools in the top 20% in the nation and top 25% in California, emphasizing the District’s motto to do Whatever It Takes to prepare its students for success in college and career. Driving the success is a Districtwide commitment to student achievement, including increased participation and success in Advanced Placement (AP) classes, record-high graduation rates, a dual enrollment partnership with Río Hondo College, career technical education (CTE) pathways, and strong California A-G subject completion rates, which are mandatory for students to be eligible to attend UC or Cal State universities.
Two Whittier Union high schools have been named Schools of Excellence by the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA), recognizing their leadership in creating welcoming and inclusive school communities. Whittier and Pioneer high schools were among 300 schools across the country to receive the two-year designation, highlighting parent, teacher, and student volunteers who work tirelessly to increase family engagement, advocate for teachers, support student achievement, and celebrate school spirit.
Whittier Union High School District commenced its 2026-27 school year with spirited back-to-school events held over three days, holding rallies and celebrations for more than 9,200 students, welcoming the incoming Class of 2030, and ushering in a renewed commitment to excellence, achievement, and growth.
Santa Fe High School’s student-led Mariachi Los Dorados is tuning up for its biggest performance to date, when it joins with the Whittier community to celebrate Mexican Independence Day during “El Grito De Dolores,” to be held on Sunday, Aug. 30 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Whittier High School’s Vic Lopez Auditorium. Mariachi Los Dorados was created in the spring of 2025 as a club, with about a dozen students. Spurred on by the music and culture of mariachi, and learning the basics of playing such instruments as the guitarrón, vihuela, violin, and trumpet, the club evolved into an elective class during the fall of 2025, with 21 students and three mariachi coaches.
Whitter Union Adult School (WUAS) will receive nearly $1 million of a Round 3 English Language Learner (ELL) Healthcare Pathways grant, which will go toward the continued expansion of WUAS healthcare pathways curriculum, reduced fees for bilingual students, automatic enrollment to Río Hondo College (RHC), and provide the opportunity for students to earn stackable credentials, which can lead to better pay. The ELL Healthcare Pathways grant is part of a $4.1 million grant awarded to the Río Hondo Region Adult Education Consortium (RHRAEC) – which includes WUAS, RHC, El Monte-Rosemead Adult School (EMRAS), and El Rancho Adult School (ERAS) – to create more opportunities for bilingual speakers in the healthcare industry, where they are in great demand.
Whittier Union recognized years of excellence in education with its 2026 Teacher of the Year selections, honoring a theater and choir director with nearly four decades of experience, and a beloved science teacher who fought a courageous battle with cancer before passing away in the summer of 2025. La Serna High School visual and performing arts teacher David Carter was named Whittier Union Teacher of the Year while former Pioneer High School science teacher Martin Mathews received a posthumous recognition. Carter was also recognized by Assemblymember Lisa Calderon as a 2026 Educator of Distinction for the 56th Assembly District for his unwavering commitment to providing excellence in education.
More than 2,600 graduates crossed the stage and turned their tassels as Whittier Union High School District celebrated the Class of 2026 during spirited commencement ceremonies held June 1 through June 3. Families, friends, educators, and community members gathered across the District to honor graduates from Whittier Union’s five comprehensive high schools, alternative education programs, and adult school, recognizing years of hard work, perseverance, and achievement as students reached one of the most significant milestones of their academic journeys.
Whittier Union’s La Serna High School celebrated Mental Health Awareness Month on May 19 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the reopening of its on-campus Wellness Center, which helped to kick off La Serna’s annual Mental Health Fair, a lunchtime event for Lancer students designed to help them stay calm during the hectic final weeks of school. The ribbon-cutting was led by La Serna social worker Alex Harris and the Ethan Carlos Foundation, a nonprofit that supports student achievement and channels the spirit of former La Serna student Ethan Carlos, who died in January 2025.
Three college-bound Santa Fe High School seniors are seeing their higher education journeys receive a financial boost, after being named Youth Enrichment Fund (YEF) Destiny Scholars and receiving scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 from the Santa Fe Springs Chamber/League program designed to support Santa Fe Springs high school students. Santa Fe High seniors Samuel Zamora, Sandra Sanchez, and Rida Athar were each named Destiny Scholars, with Zamora receiving a $20,000 scholarship, while Sanchez and Athar both received $5,000 scholarships.
The Whittier High School Cardinal Brigade music program earned a series of group and individual accolades in April, marking one of its most successful stretches in recent years during the 2025-26 season. Led by second-year music instructor and band director Edward Mijares and his staff, Cardinal musicians are learning, growing, and becoming leaders on the field.
