Whittier Union High School District

  • Whittier Union Welcomes 2026-27 School Year with Renewed Commitment to Excellence

    Whittier Union High School District commenced its 2026-27 school year with spirited back-to-school events held over three days, holding rallies and celebrations for more than 9,200 students, welcoming the incoming Class of 2030, and ushering in a renewed commitment to excellence, achievement, and growth.

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  • Santa Fe High School Mariachi Performers Tune Up for Independence Day Celebration

    Santa Fe High School’s student-led Mariachi Los Dorados is tuning up for its biggest performance to date, when it joins with the Whittier community to celebrate Mexican Independence Day during “El Grito De Dolores,” to be held on Sunday, Aug. 30 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Whittier High School’s Vic Lopez Auditorium. Mariachi Los Dorados was created in the spring of 2025 as a club, with about a dozen students. Spurred on by the music and culture of mariachi, and learning the basics of playing such instruments as the guitarrón, vihuela, violin, and trumpet, the club evolved into an elective class during the fall of 2025, with 21 students and three mariachi coaches.

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  • Whittier Union Adult School English Learner Grant to Expand Healthcare Pathway Options

    Whitter Union Adult School (WUAS) will receive nearly $1 million of a Round 3 English Language Learner (ELL) Healthcare Pathways grant, which will go toward the continued expansion of WUAS healthcare pathways curriculum, reduced fees for bilingual students, automatic enrollment to Río Hondo College (RHC), and provide the opportunity for students to earn stackable credentials, which can lead to better pay. The ELL Healthcare Pathways grant is part of a $4.1 million grant awarded to the Río Hondo Region Adult Education Consortium (RHRAEC) – which includes WUAS, RHC, El Monte-Rosemead Adult School (EMRAS), and El Rancho Adult School (ERAS) – to create more opportunities for bilingual speakers in the healthcare industry, where they are in great demand.

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Whittier Union Schools Hosts 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, which will provide attendees the opportunity to learn about the school’s academic and extra-curricular programs and how to ensure student success.

Whittier Union Kicks Off 2018-19 with Freshman First Day, Welcomes Thousands to Campuses

Whittier Union schools welcomed approximately 2,778 freshmen on Aug. 14 for its Freshman First Day orientation program, which allows students to meet new classmates and take part in fun team-building activities. Students previewed classes and met teachers and administrators, as well as Link Crew members, who will serve as mentors during their first year of high school. The program takes place annually at each Whittier Union High School District campus to help smooth students' transition to high school.

Whittier Union to Welcome 2,778 Freshmen to High School on Aug. 14

Whittier Union schools will welcome approximately 2,778 freshmen on Tuesday, Aug. 14 for its Freshman First Day orientation program, which allows students to meet new classmates and take part in fun team-building activities. Students will get a preview tour of their classes and meet their teachers and administrators, as well as Link Crew members, who will serve as mentors during their first year of high school. The program takes place annually at each Whittier Union High School District campus to help smooth students' transition to high school. The first official day is Wednesday, Aug. 15.

Santa Fe High School Summer Bridge Program Inspires Incoming Freshmen

Santa Fe High School welcomed 36 incoming freshmen who completed a six-week Summer Bridge program designed to build their confidence and encourage them to get involved in campus activities. Parents and family members attended a completion ceremony on July 19. A part of the Santa Fe curriculum since 1995, the Summer Bridge class consists primarily of students from Lake Center and Lakeside middle schools who score below a 2.0 GPA. Bridge students listened to guest speakers, brushed up on study skills and time management, and immersed themselves in the six pillars of character.

Pioneer High Teacher Continues Legacy of Success with Escalante Summer Math Academy

More than 500 local middle and high school students will celebrate the completion of an accelerated six-week summer math academy, inspired by famous math educator Jaime Escalante, with an end-of-summer ceremony at noon Thursday, July 19. The 28th annual Jaime Escalante Math Academy, held in June and July, offered students the opportunity to take Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Math Analysis, Pre-Calculus or Calculus. Pioneer High School is at 10800 Benavon St., Whittier.

Cal High Summer Program Introduces Incoming Freshmen to High School through 3-week Summer Program

More than 530 incoming freshmen sampled high school life during California High School’s HS 102 course, a three-week summer program during which students participate in a variety of activities that introduce them to the academic and extra-curricular opportunities available on campus. Launched in 2013, the program, which ran from June 11-28, acclimates students as they transition from middle school to high school. It also familiarizes students with school expectations and provides them with the opportunity to earn 2.5 credits for completing the course.

Whittier Union Spending Plan Includes Expanded Credit Recovery Programs, Academic Mentor Training

Whittier Union High School District on June 26 adopted a spending plan that pledges to continue building on its efforts to increase student achievement, including by providing extra support to English learners and training teachers to identify students in need of intervention. For 2018-19, Whittier Union will invest $21.7 million in supplemental funds to develop programs specifically targeting high-needs students – those from low-income homes, in the foster system or who are learning English – under its Local Control and Accountability Plan.

Pioneer High School Teacher Accepted into Google for Education’s Innovator Program

Pioneer High School ed tech lead and math teacher Lisa Ceja has earned a spot in Google for Education’s Certified Innovator program, a year-long professional development experience that includes mentorship opportunities, online learning activities and an in-person, three-day Innovation Academy that helps participants launch a project related to a challenge in education. The academy will be held Monday, July 9 to Wednesday, July 11 at the Google office in Venice, California.

Experienced Leader to Helm Whittier Union’s New Transportation Department

Twenty five-year transportation veteran Rafael Delgado has been selected to lead the Whittier Union High School District’s new transportation department, which is set to launch service to area students on July 1. Delgado recently served as the director of transportation for the Fullerton Joint Union High School District. He previously worked at the Los Angeles County Office of Education coordinating special education routing in the San Gabriel Valley and South Bay/Lennox areas. The District will host meetings from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 11, Thursday, July 12, Tuesday, July 17 and Wednesday, July 18 so parents meet can Delgado, learn about the improved services and receive information on transportation. Meetings will be held in the District office, 9401 S. Painter Ave., Whittier. Juliette Funes, 909-447-2404 (office)