Whittier Union High School District

  • Whittier Union Junior Selected as Distinguished Women of L.A. County Finalist

    When La Serna High School junior Gianna Sarmiento began looking for post-secondary scholarship opportunities, she searched for a program that could not only pave the way for success in college and career, but one that was also competitive and allowed her to showcase her academic prowess and creative abilities. Sarmiento was one of just 22 Southern California students selected as a finalist for the Distinguished Young Women (DYW) of Los Angeles County’s Class of 2027 Showcase, held April 18, where she competed for an opportunity to represent L.A. County at the Distinguished Young Women of California showcase in July. Though Sarmiento was not among the four young women chosen to represent the state, as part of the DYW Los Angeles County Class of 2027 she is eligible for college scholarships at a select list of universities and colleges across the United States, with potential scholarships worth anywhere from $1,000 to $31,000 a year.

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  • Santa Fe High School Campus Leaders Named CIF Student-Athletes of the Year

    Santa Fe High School seniors Benjamin Zamora and Itzel Iniguez have both been named 2026 CIF Southern Section-Ford (CIF-SS-Ford) Student-Athletes of the Year, reflecting their commitment to excellence on the playing field and the classroom, and upholding the school’s mission to become effective communicators, critical thinkers, and responsible citizens. Zamora and Iniguez are captains of the cross country and cheer teams, respectively, and both have maintained a 4.0 GPA during their time at Santa Fe High.

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  • Whittier Union Senior Looks Towards College After Receiving $50,000 Edison Scholarship

    When Whittier High School senior Maggy Guerrero was a young girl, she watched do-it-yourself videos and created handmade projects while dreaming of someday becoming a civil engineer. Joining Whittier High’s Cardinal Academy of Technology (CAT) as a freshman, Guerrero quickly established herself as a top student, with a goal of attending an elite university. Guerrero received the surprise of a lifetime when representatives from Edison International came to her Cardinal Academy of Technology (CAT) classroom on March 31 and, in front of her family and friends, announced her as a 2026 Edison Scholar. Guerrero received a $50,000 scholarship, making her one of just 30 Southern California students chosen for the prestigious award this year.

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Whittier Union Kicks Off Virtual 2020-21 School Year with Resources and Support

Whittier Union launched the 2020-21 school year on Aug. 12, welcoming 10,500 new and returning scholars virtually and providing support to students and families as they transition to the remote learning instructional model – which has seen nearly 100% of students actively participating. District leaders have spent the last several months developing an extensive four-phase strategic learning plan to educate students in a virtual learning environment, providing teachers, staff, parents and students with the trainings, tools and resources to ensure a successful start to the school year.

Rio Hondo College Staff, Faculty Emphasize Care and Compassion for Students during Pandemic

Río Hondo College leaders on Aug. 14 emphasized the need to show care and compassion to students struggling with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic while delivering online instruction in fall 2020-21. The message was the core focus of FLEX Day, an annual training program held the day before classes began for fall semester. Faculty and staff leaders praised College employees for their swift and effective shift to distance instruction in spring 2020 but said the new year will require a redoubled focus on the needs of students.

Whittier Union to Begin 2020-21 with 100% Distance Learning

Whittier Union High School District will begin the 2020-21 school year with a 100% distance learning schedule, converting the fall semester into a quarter system in which students will take three online classes in each of two nine-week periods starting Wednesday, Aug. 12. The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the 3x9 instructional model and launching the school year in Stage 1 of the District’s four-stage reopening plan during a July 28 virtual board meeting.

Whitter Union Wellness Collaborative Supports Students, Families, Staff

Whittier Union High School District has created a Social/Emotional Collaborative team to develop class lessons, tools and videos to support students, staff and parents who have experienced stress, difficulties and trauma due to the COVID-19 pandemic and help ease their transition to the 2020-21 school year. The social/emotional supports address a plethora of issues confronting students and families, including the effects of trauma on student learning, time management strategies, practicing mindfulness, the benefits of taking breaks from social media, coping strategies and the benefits of optimism, gratitude and resilience.

Whittier Union Celebrates Class of 2020 with Pomp and Circumstance

Whittier Union rolled out the red carpet and gave over 2,700 members of the Class of 2020 the star treatment during one-of-a-kind drive-up graduations that saw students walk across grand stages on their campuses and collect diplomas as families, sounding air horns and holding custom big-head cutouts, cheered from decorated vehicles, limousines and party buses. Every day during the week of July 20, each Whittier Union campus hosted socially distanced graduation ceremonies that provided students and families safe venues in which to celebrate after traditional ceremonies were canceled due to public health restrictions.

Whittier Union to Begin 2020-21 Fall Semester with 100% Distance Learning

Whittier Union High School District will begin the 2020-21 school year with a 100% distance learning schedule, converting the fall semester into a quarter system in which students will take three online classes in each of two nine-week periods starting Wednesday, Aug. 12. The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the 3x9 instructional model and launching the school year in Stage 1 of the District’s four-stage reopening plan during a July 28 virtual board meeting.

Whittier Union Develops Flexible Learning Plan for Fall 2020

Whittier Union High School District is exploring adopting a quarter system for the fall semester of the 2020-21 school year, which begins Aug. 12. The instructional model is part of a four-stage teaching and learning plan that is adaptable to the continuously changing environment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Board of Trustees is expected to vote on the recommended instructional model and one of the four stages in which schools will reopen, which range from 100% online to 100% in-person, during a special meeting Tuesday, July 28, when health conditions will be clearer.

Harvard-bound Whittier Union Valedictorian Partners with PIH Health for COVID-19 Awareness Campaign

Before spending the next four years studying biomedical engineering at Harvard University, Whittier High School graduate Julia Casas is dedicating her summer to working with PIH Health Whittier Hospital to develop a volunteer social network and raise awareness of COVID-19 and the available health services in the community. Casas, who is one of Whittier High’s seven valedictorians for the Class of 2020, is working with PIH Health volunteer services and health marketing administrators to compile a large volunteer database; create a volunteer website, social media accounts and weekly newsletter; coordinate donations of personal protective equipment; and organize online fundraisers.

Whittier Union Develops Flexible Back-to-School Learning Plan for Fall 2020

Whittier Union High School District is exploring adopting a quarter system for the fall semester of the 2020-21 school year, which begins Aug. 12. The instructional model is part of a four-stage teaching and learning plan that is adaptable to the continuously changing environment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Board of Trustees is expected to vote on the recommended instructional model and one of the four stages in which schools will reopen, which range from 100% online to 100% in-person, during a special meeting Tuesday, July 28, when health conditions will be clearer.

Whittier Union to Host Socially Distanced Drive-thru Graduations

Over 2,800 members of Whittier Union’s Class of 2020 will have the opportunity to walk across a stage set up on the campuses they’ve called home for the last four years while being cheered on by families who will have a front-stage view during socially distanced drive-thru graduation ceremonies. California High will hold its ceremony from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 20; La Serna will hold its ceremony from 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 21; Santa Fe High will hold its ceremony from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 22; Whittier High will hold its ceremony from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 23; and Pioneer High will hold its event from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 24. On Wednesday, July 22, the Transition program will honor students from 4 to 5 p.m.; Sierra Vista will celebrate students from 5 to 7 p.m.; Frontier will honor grads from 7 to 8:30 p.m.; and Whittier Union Adult School will celebrate graduates from 8:30 to 9 p.m. at the Sierra Education Center campus.