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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 Leaders Take on New Roles to Steer Student Achievement

Familiar faces have taken on new roles at Whittier Union, continuing a history of strong leadership that has led to rising student academic achievement. Frontier High School Principal Dr. Margie Moriarty will also lead the Whittier Adult School. Richard Rodriguez will serve as assistant principal of Frontier High School. Allison Huntley will serve as assistant principal of guidance at Whittier High School. Craig Fox will serve as Pioneer High School’s assistant principal of business and activities. Together, the four have served Whittier Union for nearly 60 years.

Santa Fe High to Host Parent Education Day to Ensure Student Success

Santa Fe High School will offer parents the opportunity to attend a variety of workshops on topics ranging from teens’ social media use to college and career information during its annual Parent Education Day from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 10400 Orr and Day Road, Santa Fe Springs. Launched in 2003, the program is an informal and free way to gain knowledge on topics and issues that impact teens today.

Whittier High Senior Honored for Balancing Academics with Community Service

Whittier High School senior Ava Sanchez is determined to make a difference – whether its empowering her peers to give back to the local community or inspiring younger students to achieve academic success. Recognized for her leadership skills, integrity and work ethic, Sanchez – a straight-A student who is on track to be one of Whittier High’s class of 2019 valedictorians – has found a way to balance academics with community service.

Whittier Union Student-Athletes Enjoy New Athletic Fields at La Serna

La Serna High School student-athletes are enjoying newly renovated athletic fields, including a nine-lane synthetic athletic track, new high jump, long jump, pole vault, discus and shotput areas. The $9.8 million project was completed with Measure W funds. Playing fields will serve a variety of sports, including football, soccer, and track and field.

Whittier Union Releases 3 Initial Draft Trustee Area Maps

Whittier Union High School District has released three initial draft trustee area maps as it shifts from at-large elections to by-trustee area elections, effective November 2020. The District is seeking public input on the initial draft maps – NDC Green Map, NDC Orange Map and NDC Purple Map – which were developed by professional demographers based on comments from previous public hearings. The public may submit input regarding how the trustee areas are divided through comment boxes available at the five comprehensive high schools, District office and WUHSD District Formation Process website, www.elections.wuhsd.org. The District will host two rounds of community open houses during which attendees may provide structured input on the maps. The first round will take place 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 26 at Whittier High School; 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 27 at Santa Fe High School; and 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28. A second round will be held in December.

Whittier Union Lauds National Merit Scholarship Commended Students

Whittier Union High School District is celebrating several students who were named Commended Students in the National Merit Scholarship Program. They are Cole Acedo, Ian Brennan, Kelvin Chong and Katelyn Nye from La Serna High School and Julia Casas from Whittier High School. National Merit Scholarship participants are selected based on how they score on their Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) scores, taken in junior year. Of the 1.6 million students who took the exam for a chance to win the prestigious $2,500 scholarship, 34,000 top scorers received a commendation and 16,000 were selected as semifinalists.

Whittier Union Selected as a ‘Bright Spot’ District for Advancing Equity, Closing Achievement Gap

Whittier Union High School District has been selected as one of three “Bright Spot” honorees – along with Pasadena City College and Chula Vista Elementary School – by Education Trust-West for advancing equity and strengthening the pipeline to college. Bright Spot districts and college campuses demonstrate a commitment to excellence and implement strategies and practices that have led to positive outcomes for students of color, low-income students and English learners.

La Serna English Teacher Named a Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year

La Serna High School English teacher Shelly DeSimone was named a top 16 Los Angeles County public school teacher for 2018-19 by the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) during the organization’s annual banquet on Sept. 21. DeSimone was selected to represent the profession’s “best of the best” from among 72,000 L.A. County teachers. DeSimone will advance, along with other county teachers of the year from around the state, to the California Teachers of the Year competition.

Whittier Union English Learner Overcomes Adversity to Become Straight-A Student

California High School senior Avigahy Garcia’s childhood included moving from California to Mexico and back, challenging her to learn and re-learn the different languages and cultures. Garcia returned to California in her sophomore year and enrolled at Cal High, leaving her parents behind in Mexico, but working arduously to excel in her studies with the help of the school’s support program, Expanded Horizons. She was honored with an Award of Merit by the Whittier Union High School District Board of Trustees on Sept. 11.