Whittier district shines light on curriculum, academic success

Wave Staff Report

WHITTIER — The Whittier Union High School District welcomed the communities of Whittier, Santa Fe Springs, Norwalk, La Mirada and Downey to its second annual State of the District address, held at Pioneer High School Oct. 7, highlighting the district’s many academic achievements and award-winning curriculum.

More than 200 community members, elected officials, students, families, and staff attended the event, which included a catered dinner and a live performance by Santa Fe High School’s Mariachi Los Dorados, under the leadership of choir director David Kwon.

The event was sponsored by Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn and the Credit Union of Southern California. Attendees included Assemblywoman Blanca Pacheco, Kyle Miller from state Sen. Bob Archuleta’s office, Ivan Solis from Hahn’s office, Whittier Mayor James Becerra, La Mirada Councilwoman Michelle Velasquez Bean, and Downey Councilman Mario Trujillo. 

Representatives from local chambers of commerce and school board members and administrators from partner school districts and colleges also were in attendance.

“To everyone in attendance today, it is incredible to work with you and see you as our partners,” school board President Irma Rodríguez Moisa said during the event. “Let’s continue to work together as we move forward over the next few years.

“We will continue to strengthen our collaborative work with our partners to ensure our resources are used wisely, with every dollar focused on supporting our students,” she added. “We don’t do this work alone. The real heroes are our Whittier Union teachers and staff. Thank you for everything you do to support our students and schools.”

To kick off the program, Pioneer High School choir students performed the national anthem under the direction of choir director Christine Jerome. The district also welcomed back two graduates to speak: La Serna High class of 2023 graduate Andy Castaneda, who is now a successful Whittier-based realtor, and Pioneer High class of 2024 graduate and UCLA sophomore Isabel Gonzalez, who is studying political science and public affairs.

“When I was in high school, I was always asked ‘what do you want to be when you grow up,’ and although simple in nature, my answer to that question wasn’t so simple,” Gonzalez said. “At Pioneer, I was fortunate to be involved in a number of clubs and programs that all helped me determine my path and lead me to where I am today.”

Among the topics highlighted during the State of the District were the district’s record graduation rates, career technical education pathways, facilities projects, and the new district guidelines regarding artificial intelligence.

Whittier Union graduation rates have soared in recent years, rising from just below 92% in 2019 to a district record of 94.7% in 2026, well above the state average of 87.5%. A-G completion rates, which determine if a student is eligible to attend a University of California or Cal State University, are also at a district record high of 66.6%, nearly 10 percentage points above the state average.

Whittier Union students’ statewide test scores in English, math, and science have also risen, with the district ranking in the top 20% of school districts throughout California and in the top 5% of school districts with more than a thousand students, 50%-plus Latino students, and 50%-plus low-income students. Of 160 California school districts with similar sizes and demographics, Whittier Union ranks third in math, fifth in science, and seventh in English.

Whittier Union facilities projects and improvements continue to move ahead, with new athletic fields, marquees, roofing, and exterior painting completed in the last year, as well as projects designed to boost energy efficiency and lower the district’s carbon footprint. Construction on the district’s crown jewel — the Performing Arts Center — continues to move forward.

Addressing the topic of artificial intelligence, the district debuted a new set of AI guiding principles for students to follow before the 2026-27 school year. Expanding on the principles during the State of the District, Whittier Union looks to guide its students to AI mastery by adhering to the four Ds of AI fluency: delegation, description, discernment and diligence.

“Whittier Union is blessed to serve a community that is highly invested in the future of its students,” Superintendent Monica Oviedo said. “We share the same goals as our community: to do whatever it takes to prepare students to be the leaders and innovators of tomorrow, to help them find their passion, and to give them every tool and resource they need to fulfill their dreams.”