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

Whittier Union Celebrates Nearly 3,000 Graduates

El Monte Union High School District honored more than 2,000 members of the Class of 2018 in commencement ceremonies. The District celebrated 530 graduating seniors from Arroyo High School, 427 students from El Monte High School, 322 students from Mountain View High, 394 seniors from Rosemead High and 305 students from South El Monte High. Fernando R. Ledesma graduated 75 students and the El Monte-Rosemead Adult School celebrated 90 students. Together, the five comprehensive high schools produced 58 valedictorians with GPAs of 4.2 or higher.

Whittier Union Students Celebrate College, Career Choices

Whittier Union High School District students took their first steps toward the next chapter of their academic futures during College Signing Day Ceremonies and Decision Day celebrations hosted by each comprehensive high school. Students signed “I’m Going to College” posters, decorated emblems and took celebratory group photos.

Whittier Union AVID Student Named 2018 Dell Scholar, Receives $20,000 Scholarship

Pioneer High School senior Nylah Garcia was born under unusual circumstances, with her mother diagnosed with cancer while pregnant. Throughout a difficult childhood, Garcia was determined to be the first member of her family to attend college, finding support as an Achievement Via Individual Determination (AVID) student. On April 10, Garcia was named a 2018 Dell Scholar by the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation and will receive a $20,000 scholarship to help pay for her education at Cal State Long Beach.

Santa Fe High School Senior’s Quiet Leadership Earns Admiration from Peers, Teachers

Santa Fe High School senior Analyse Garcia has developed an unparalleled drive and profound focus for success. A quiet leader, Garcia’s concentration on academics, community service, athletics and extracurricular activities have earned her respect, recognition and admiration from her peers, school and District. Garcia, who carries a 4.12 GPA and places in the top 5 percent of Santa Fe’s senior class, was recognized by the Whittier Union High School District Board of Trustees with a Certificate of Merit on April 10.

Whittier Union Schools to Celebrate College-Bound Scholars with College Signing Day Ceremonies

Hundreds of Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) students from Whittier Union High School District will take their first steps toward the next chapter of their academic futures during College Signing Day ceremonies. Pioneer High School will hold its celebration at 12:20 p.m. Wednesday, April 25. Whittier High School will hold its rally at 12:25 p.m. Wednesday, April 25. Santa Fe High School will hold its event at noon Wednesday, May 2.

Pioneer High School Stages ‘Every 15 Minutes’ to Display Perils of Impaired Driving

Broken glass and car parts littered the street in front of Pioneer High School as the motionless body of a student lay on the hood of the vehicle, her feet caught where the windshield once was – a stark and unforgettable start to the “Every 15 Minutes” two-day program. Presented to Pioneer High School juniors and seniors on April 4-5, “Every 15 Minutes” shows the lethal and unforgiving consequences of operating a vehicle while distracted or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs by displaying a trio of scenarios, beginning with a simulated car crash.

Whittier Union Opens Enrollment for Escalante Summer Math Academy

Pioneer High School is accepting applications for its 28th annual Jaime Escalante Summer Math Academy, giving Whittier middle and high school students a jumpstart on their math classes and preparing them to take on advanced college-level courses. Named after famous Garfield High School calculus teacher Jaime Escalante, the six-week summer program offers students the opportunity to take classes in Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Math Analysis or Calculus. Pre-Algebra is new this year for sixth- and seventh-graders, who can take Algebra in eighth grade and continue advancing while in high school.

Cal High Choir Performs at Prestigious All-State Choral Festival

The California High School Chamber Choir celebrated 15 years of harmonic excellence with a performance at the prestigious California Music Educators Association (CMEA) 2018 All-State Choral Festival in March, part of a busy spring schedule that included an annual community goodwill tour of local nonprofits. Cal High was one of six high schools in the state to be selected to take part in the 2018 All-State Choral Festival, earning a Superior rating from the judges, the highest rating level. The group will next perform with the Los Angeles Master Chorale High School Choir festival at the Walt Disney Concert Hall on Friday, May 18.

Cal High Senior’s Resilience After Tragedy Recognized by Whittier Union

California High School senior April Ramirez was a happy, high-achieving student when her father was diagnosed with cancer and passed away when she was 9 years old. Dedicating herself to a life of great accomplishments, Ramirez enrolled as a freshman in Cal High’s acclaimed college prep and academic support program, Puente, feeling that attending a university would be the best way to honor her father’s memory. She has gained acceptance so far from San Jose State University and has earned a full-ride scholarship to Whittier College. She was recognized with an Award of Merit from the Whitter Union High School District Board of Trustees.

Pioneer High School Program Displays Perils of Impaired Driving

To drive home the perils of operating a car while distracted or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, Pioneer High School on April 4-5 hosted an “Every 15 Minutes” program, a two-day event featuring a simulated car crash, rescue efforts and the dramatized deaths of students, as well as a candlelight vigil and mock funeral.