fbpx

Whittier Union High School District

  • Whittier Union Adult School Plumbing Program Success Recognized by South Bay Workforce

    The Whittier Union Adult School’s (WUAS) Plumbing 1 class has served as a pipeline of employment since its inception in 2022, with the career technical education (CTE) course providing students with expert guidance that emphasizes employability, efficiency, accuracy, and relationship-building. Preparing the next generation of plumbers, the class currently has an 80% employment rate. The rapid success of the program has been recognized by the South Bay Workforce Investment Board (SBWIB), who awarded WUAS with its 2025 Outstanding Program Performance Award. The school will receive its award at SBWIB’s 30th Annual Awards Ceremony, held Oct. 30 at the Torrance Marriott South Bay.

    Read More

  • Whittier Union Celebrates Community, Student Success at Inaugural State of the District Event

    Whittier Union High School District spotlighted its success in preparing students for bright futures during its inaugural State of the District event on Oct. 1, engaging nearly 200 community members, elected officials, students, families, and staff with a catered dinner reception, live student performances, and a program that emphasized strong community partnerships and a deep commitment to academic excellence. The event, held at California High School and generously sponsored by Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, was attended by state leaders such as Senator Bob Archuleta and Assemblywoman Blanca Pacheco. Local leaders in attendance included Whittier Mayor Joe Vinatieri, Whittier City Councilmembers Cathy Warner and Mary Ann Pacheco, Whittier City Manager Conal McNamara, Santa Fe Springs Mayor Bill Rounds, Norwalk Councilmember Ana Valencia, and La Mirada City Councilmember Michelle Velasquez Bean.

    Read More

  • Whittier Union Senior Receives Award of Merit for Leadership, Commitment to Mental Wellness

    Pioneer High School senior Nydia Palacios is known as a natural leader and an academic role model who loves to challenge herself, acquiring both high school and college credits at a lightning pace while enjoying as many extracurricular activities as she can fit into one day. Palacios, who boasts a 4.05 GPA, entered her senior year with 286 credits, which far exceeds the traditional 220 credits needed to graduate. Palacios has also gotten a start on higher education, having completed seven community college dual enrollment courses, in addition to her myriad campus leadership positions and musical and athletic pursuits as a member of the PHS Jazz Band, track & field, and girl’s cross-country teams. Palacios’ love of volunteering has seen her devote countless hours to help serve those in need, whether she is engaging in afterschool tutoring for the Boys and Girls Club, or serving as a Youth Leader for her church. Palacios has also emerged as a campus leader. She is currently president of Pioneer’s PTSA Club and as a junior was vice president of the school site council.

    Read More

8 Whittier Union Musicians to Perform in Tournament of Roses Parade

Eight Whittier Union students have been selected to perform in the 2020 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade Honor Band on New Year’s Day. The students won coveted spots in the nearly 250-member Honor Band after a rigorous audition process that included hundreds of high school musicians from throughout Southern California. From California High School, they are Kaelee Chavez (clarinet), Seth Diaz (tenor sax), Mark Gonzalez (trombone), Roberto Haro (trumpet), Myriam Hernandez (color guard/tall flag), Erica Leal (color guard/banner) and Chloe Martin (color guard/banner). Trumpet player Hector Torres will represent Santa Fe High School.

Whittier Union Recognized for Beating the Odds in Stanford Study

Whittier Union has been identified as one of 167 California school districts to excel at supporting the learning of all students, particularly Hispanics, at higher-than-expected levels on the state’s new, more rigorous math and reading assessments in a “Positive Outliers: Districts Beating the Odds” study. Whittier Union ranked at 65 in the study, which was released earlier this year by the Learning Policy Institute out of Stanford University. The Institute is headed by Linda Darling-Hammond, president of the California Board of Education. Whittier Union’s earned reputation for attaining and sustaining substantial academic progress has been over two decades the making.

Whittier Union Students Explore College Options at Annual Fair

The Whittier High School quad was filled with hundreds of students and their families eager to explore their post-secondary options and forge a path to their future during the 2022 Whittier Union College Fair, held Sept. 21. Long lines formed as students spoke with representatives from more than 50 colleges from across the country and participated in workshops geared toward navigating the college application process. Information on social services were provided by local vendors. The College Fair was presented in-person for the first time since the 2019-20 school year.    

Whittier Union to Host Annual District College Fair on Sept. 18

Whittier Union High School District will host its annual District College Fair at La Serna High School from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, allowing students and parents to meet with dozens of college representatives and get first-hand information about the college systems and financial aid. Students from all of the District’s high schools are invited to participate in the event, taking place at 15301 Youngwood Drive, Whittier.

Whittier Union Schools to Hold Back to School Nights

Whittier Union High School District’s five comprehensive high schools are inviting parents and students to their Back to School Night events, taking place as follows: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11 at Whittier High School, 12417 E. Philadelphia St.; 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11 at Pioneer High School, 10800 E. Benavon St.; 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12 at Santa Fe High School, 10400 S. Orr & Day Road; and 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12 at California High School, 9800 S. Mills Ave. La Serna High School has held its event.

Whittier Union to Welcome Student, Families with Back to School Nights

Whittier Union High School District’s five comprehensive high schools are inviting parents and students to their Back to School Night events, during which they will have the opportunity to learn about the school’s academic and extra-curricular programs and how to ensure student success. Parents can meet teachers and administrators, learn about the curriculum for their students’ courses, discover volunteer and engagement opportunities on campus, and learn more about upcoming events that will contribute to their children’s academic progress.

Whittier Union Schools to Welcome Freshmen for Preview Day on Aug. 13

Nearly 750 incoming ninth-graders at California High School will preview classes, meet teachers, make new friends and learn more about the Condor campus – their home for the next four years – on Tuesday, Aug. 13 as part of Whittier Union High School District’s Freshman First Day program. This year, Whittier Union will welcome over 2,700 freshmen and over 11,000 overall. The first day of school for all students is Wednesday, Aug. 14.

Whittier Union Math Teacher Recognized as 2019-20 Teacher of the Year

Pioneer High School math teacher Carolina DeHart has been selected Whittier Union's 2019-20 Teacher of the Year. DeHart has spent nearly 30 years making a positive impact on Pioneer students as a teacher and tutor, instilling high expectations while pushing students to attend college and pursue their dream careers. She was hired as a calculus teacher at Pioneer in 1989. Over the years, she has taught every math class at Pioneer, from algebra and geometry to trigonometry and math analysis. In addition, she tutors three afternoons a week as part of Pioneer’s Prep Program.