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Whittier Union High School District

  • Whittier Union Adult School Student Receives Award of Merit for Resilience, Determination

    At a crossroads with her education, California High School Class of 2018 graduate Abigail Villanueva had completed her bachelor’s degree in biological sciences and public health at the University of Southern California, with a goal of enrolling in medical school. But before she could apply to a college, Villanueva needed to gain clinical experience in a medical setting. Taking the advice of a friend and former Whittier Union Adult School (WUAS) student, Villanueva enrolled in the WUAS medical assistant program, a comprehensive two-quarter course where students gain essential clinical and administrative skills through hands-on training that prepares them for real-world scenarios, clinical training, and internships.

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  • Whittier Union Alumna Seeks to Give Back to Community as Human Rights Advocate

    California High School Class of 2016 graduate Alondra Saldivar has a passion for helping others. From her days leading Cal High Condors into community service projects as Interact Club president to her current role as a law graduate working for the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project in Arizona, Saldivar has worked tirelessly to champion human rights while inspiring others to become community volunteers. Saldivar’s post-secondary journey has been a whirlwind of education and advocacy, earning a bachelor’s degree in political science at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and a Juris Doctor degree at the University of San Francisco (USF), all while continuing to mentor young students and encourage them to pursue participation in community service clubs.

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  • Whittier Union Senior Celebrated, Receives $50,000 Edison Scholarship Surprise in Class

    Pioneer High School senior Olivia Jimenez envisions a day when socially assistive robotics will provide equitable and affordable support for children with special needs, helping them with their cognitive development and social skills. Jimenez’s goal is to use the field of mechanical engineering as a template for doing good work. Jimenez became inspired to work in the field of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) after watching her sister, who is autistic, struggle to find the support she needed in under-resourced schools. Jimenez became fascinated with STEM, immersing herself in projects, exploring all possibilities, and searching for answers, a pursuit that led to her becoming Pioneer High’s Science Club president.

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Whittier Union Continuation School Program and Teacher Earn State Accolades for Success

Frontier High School is the recipient of the 2020 Exemplary Program Award from the California Continuation Education Association Plus (CCEA+), which is also honoring Frontier science teacher William Martin as its 2020 Teacher of the Year. CCEA+, a state organization that promotes the development of quality continuation education and schools, is honoring the Model Continuation School for its Orientation program, launched in 2014 to provide new enrollees with the skills for a successful transition into Frontier. Martin is being honored for his leadership and dedication to student achievement.

Whittier Union Schools Lead the Way for Educational Equity, Named to 2020 Top Schools List

Four Whittier Union high schools have been named to the 2020 Top Los Angeles County Public Schools for Underserved Students list for narrowing the opportunity gap for low-income students of color, particularly Latino students, in Los Angeles County and helping them thrive despite barriers. Among the 2,075 schools in Los Angeles County, 1,346 schools serve at least 43% of low-income Latino students. Of these, only 254 schools have been recognized as Top Schools for closing the gap for low-income Latino students. Whittier Union schools that are leading the way include La Serna, Pioneer, Santa Fe and Whittier high schools.

Río Hondo College Nursing Students Volunteer at El Monte City COVID-19 Testing Station

Throughout the spring, 16 students in their first year of Río Hondo College’s Associate Degree of Nursing (ADN) program volunteered at the El Monte City Drive-through COVID-19 testing station, lending a hand to efforts to combat the health crisis that immobilized much of the world. Students began volunteering in April and continued throughout May, rotating through stations to work with nurses from Greater El Monte Community Hospital to instruct community members on testing, distribute testing materials, collect samples and educate patients.

Whittier Union Sends Off Class of 2020 with Cap and Gown Distribution, Virtual Recognitions

As Whittier Union seniors approach the final days of their high school career, the District’s high schools are finding ways to safely recognize 2,800 members of the Class the 2020, their accomplishments over the last four years and their ability to persevere under the most unexpected circumstances. Following social distancing guidelines and facial covering requirements, each school meticulously in May organized grab-and-go opportunities to provide seniors their graduation packages, which included caps and gowns, medals and yard signs, which were sponsored by the Whittier Union High School District Educational Foundation. Virtual awards shows were also held to celebrate students.

Whittier Union Names Band Director its 2020 Teacher of the Year

When California High School Director of Bands Doug Nordquist came to Whittier Union as a music teacher in 1982, he was literally jumping for joy as he was in the midst of competing to win a spot as a high jumper on the 1984 U.S. Olympic team. With a parallel career as an Olympic-level athlete, Nordquist began striving for excellence in the classroom, teaching multiple subjects and eventually establishing Cal High’s Entertainment Unit, a music program that has enabled thousands of Whittier Union students to find their calling and achieve success at high levels. He has been named the District's 2020 Teacher of the Year.

Whittier Union Appoints New Principal to Lead La Serna High School

La Serna High School Assistant Principal Griselda Castro – an educator in the Whittier Union High School District for the past 25 years – has been appointed to serve as the Lancer campus’ newest principal. Castro, a National Board Certified teacher, will replace longtime La Serna Principal Ann Fitzgerald, who will begin her new role as assistant superintendent of personnel services July 1.

Pioneer Summer Math Academy to Celebrate 30 Years, Provide Virtual Instruction for First Time

One of Whittier Union’s most popular academic programs – the Summer Math Academy at Pioneer High School – will celebrate its 30-year anniversary as an online learning program, continuing its rich tradition of challenging students to complete a year’s worth of advanced math in six weeks. Due to the impacts of COVID-19, the math academy, held in partnership with East Los Angeles College’s Jaime Escalante Program, will be administered online and is open to incoming ninth through 12th grade Whittier Union students only.

Whittier Union Appoints New Principal for La Serna High School

La Serna High School Assistant Principal Griselda Castro will take the helm as the school’s newest principal, bringing 25 years of education experience to the role. Castro will replace longtime La Serna Principal Ann Fitzgerald, who has been appointed assistant superintendent of personnel services effective July 1, 2020.

Whittier Union Escalante Math Academy to Celebrate 30-year Anniversary

Pioneer High School’s Summer Math Academy, in partnership with East Los Angeles College’s Escalante Program, will celebrate its 30-year anniversary as a six-week distance learning program, continuing a tradition that allows students to complete an entire schoolyear’s worth of advanced math curriculum in one summer session and earn high school credits if they score a “B” grade or better. The program will run June 15 to July 28, with classes held from 8 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. Classes will be conducted via Zoom videoconferencing. Online registration is open until May 20.

Whittier Union High Schools to Host Drive-Thru Graduation Delivery Events

Starting Monday, May 18, Whittier Union’s five comprehensive high schools will host Drive-Thru Graduation Delivery events for its Class of 2020. Seniors will arrive to their schools at designated times to receive special yard signs, caps and gowns, graduation products, medals and other items as part of the delivery. Pioneer High School will provide yard signs from 8 a.m. to noon May 18 and hold its official distribution event on June 1; Whittier High will hold its event from 12 to 4 p.m. May 18; La Serna High School will hold its event from noon to 5 p.m. May 19; California High School will hold its event from 1 to 6 p.m. May 20; and Santa Fe High School will hold its event from noon to 4 p.m. May 21.