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Whittier Union High School District

  • Whittier Union Continuation School Graduate Gives Back While Looking Toward Future

    Frontier High School Class of 2018 graduate Brianna Aguirre has a passion for helping young adults get a fresh start. As a youth program aide for Río Hondo America’s Job Center of California (AJCC), Aguirre serves as a career planner for current Frontier High students seeking to take advantage of AJCC’s Youth at Work program. Working from the Río Hondo AJCC satellite office, located on the Frontier High campus, Aguirre assists students looking to receive paid work experience that may lead to a long-term career pathway. For Aguirre, it’s a meaningful way to give back to the community that once offered her guidance and encouragement during her time at Frontier High, helping her find her path as a foster youth.

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  • Whittier Union Honors Class of 2025 Graduates During Spirited Commencement Ceremonies

    Cheers and celebration filled the air across Whittier Union High School District as more than 2,100 graduates from the Class of 2025 turned their tassels and stepped boldly into the future during spirited commencement ceremonies held June 2 through 4. Seniors from the District’s five comprehensive high schools, two alternative campuses, and adult school were joined by proud families, friends, and dedicated school staff, all united in honoring the resilience, growth, and accomplishments of Whittier Union’s newest alumni. Santa Fe, Sierra Vista, and Frontier high schools, along with Whittier Union Adult School, kicked off the three days of celebration during commencement ceremonies on June 2, followed by La Serna High School and Whittier High School on June 3. California and Pioneer high schools concluded the festivities with ceremonies on June 4.

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  • Whittier Union Class of 2025 Earn National Scholarships for Ivy League, State Universities

    Whittier Union High School District seniors are preparing to take their next steps this fall, heading to colleges and universities across the country, with many leaving lasting legacies through academic achievement, leadership, and national recognition. Across Whittier Union, students are earning prestigious scholarships and acceptances to top-tier universities. Pioneer High School’s Olivia Jimenez was awarded the $50,000 Edison Scholarship and will attend Harvard University this fall. California High School’s Jonas Sanchez is heading to West Point, La Serna High School’s Aidan Reyes will attend Princeton University, and Whittier High School’s Edward Navarro will join Stanford University.

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Whittier Union Engages 95% of Students in Distance Learning

Since launching its Distance Learning program, Whittier Union has engaged 95% of students through Google Classroom, where 98% of teachers are posting assignments and projects. During the transition from in-classroom instruction to remote learning, the District has provided teachers and staff continued professional development to carry out classes from home, adapt the curriculum and become better-versed with technology. To ensure students have the technological access to learn from home, the District has distributed over 1,325 Chromebooks and has secured 300 hotspots to distribute to families.

Whittier Union Senior Wins Full-tuition Posse Scholarship

Santa Fe High School senior Roman Vargas entered middle school without any expectation of ever attending college, but six years of Achievement Via Individual Determination (AVID) classes and rigorous academic opportunities taught him to set goals, collaborate with classmates and work toward achieving post-secondary success. Vargas – a first-generation college student with a 4.2 GPA – is on his way toward making his dreams happen after winning a full-tuition Posse Foundation scholarship to attend Hobart and William Smith Colleges, a private liberal arts college in Geneva, New York, where he will major in history.

Santa Fe High Senior Wins Full-tuition Posse Scholarship to Attend New York Liberal Arts College

Santa Fe High School senior Roman Vargas entered middle school without any expectation of ever attending college, but six years of Achievement Via Individual Determination (AVID) classes and rigorous academic opportunities taught him to set goals, collaborate with classmates and work toward achieving post-secondary success. Vargas – a first-generation college student with a 4.2 GPA – is on his way toward making his dreams happen after winning a full-tuition Posse Foundation scholarship to attend Hobart and William Smith Colleges (HWS), a private liberal arts college in Geneva, New York, where he will major in history.

Whittier High Senior Thrives Behind the Stage, Excels in Class and Supports Family’s Literary Ventures

Whittier High School senior Cristian Rodriguez loves working behind the scenes – whether that’s by providing support as a member of the Vic Lopez Auditorium Technical Crew (ATC) or helping to co-author and publicize his family’s literary projects. Since arriving at Whittier High as a sophomore, Rodriguez has passed four Advanced Placement exams, earned a 4.45 GPA, gained a reputation for his maturity and leadership skills and is poised to be one of the school’s valedictorians.

Whittier Union Alumnus Named New Pioneer High’s Head Football Coach

After graduating from Pioneer High School over three decades ago, longtime educator and athletic coach Steve Randall is returning to his alma mater as its new head football coach, bringing with him championship swagger and an emphasis on character building. Randall, who graduated in 1984, comes to Pioneer after a distinguished career as head coach at Colony High School in Ontario, where he compiled a 64-32 record and guided the team to a Central Division CIF championship in 2014, a year which saw Randall named Coach of the Year.

Whittier Union Schools Earn Recognition for Engaging STEM Programs

Two Whittier Union high schools are being highlighted for their outstanding work to expand access to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses and develop robust, engaging programs that prepare students for innovative careers. For the second consecutive year, Whittier High School earned the College Board AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in its AP Computer Science Principles course. La Serna High School was recently recognized by Newsweek Magazine and STEM.org as one of America’s Top 5,000 STEM High Schools.

Whittier Union Counselor to Attend State of the Union During National School Counseling Week

The first week of February is off to special start for Humberto Solorio, who has spent the last 18 years helping students at California High School reach their potential, explore their abilities, strengths and interests, and develop into tomorrow’s leaders. Not only is Solorio, along with counselors across Whittier Union and the nation, being recognized for National School Counseling Week, but he will also attend the 2020 State of the Union Address in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, Feb. 4 as an invited guest of Congresswoman Linda Sanchez.

Accomplished Whittier Union Senior Earns Scholarship to Pursue Law

La Serna High School senior Jocelyn Jimenez is a born leader with extraordinary academic achievements under her belt, a passion for knowledge and determination to succeed – skills that will help her fulfill her dream of being a lawyer. Whether she is volunteering as an Explorer for the Whittier Police Department or interning with Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, Jimenez is dedicated to empowering people and communities through service work and education. Jimenez – who is pursuing an associate degree at Rio Hondo College – was recently awarded a full-ride scholarship to Claremont McKenna College.

Whittier Union Counselor to Attend State of the Union Feb. 4

Humberto Solorio, who has spent the last 18 years helping students at Whittier Union’s California High School reach their potential and explore their abilities, strengths and interests, will attend the 2020 State of the Union Address in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, Feb. 4. Solorio will attend the historic event, taking place during the same week as National School Counseling Week, as an invited guest of U.S. Rep. Linda Sanchez. At Cal High, Solorio provides counseling services to students, including those enrolled in the school’s Business Academy, co-leads the school’s new Fresh Air Mentoring Program, which provides additional support to male upperclassmen, and is part of the District’s Crisis Response Team.

Whittier Union Recognized for Student Health and Wellness Protocols

Whittier Union High School District recently received the inaugural Lifesaver Award from the Los Angeles County Child and Adolescent Suicide Review Team for its robust and proactive suicide prevention protocols. The California Legislature in 2016 passed Assembly Bill 2246, which mandates student suicide prevention and intervention policies for every California school district. Whittier Union established its Student Well-Being Program in 2014 to address challenges impacting student health and wellness, increase school-site support and provide resources for families.