For the first time in school history, Whittier Union’s Pioneer High School been recognized as a 2021 California Distinguished School from the California Department of Education (CDE).
The California Distinguished School award is the state’s top honor for high-achieving schools, celebrating successes in boosting student achievement, attaining strong graduation rates and fostering college and career resources. Given to 241 middle and high schools this year, the award recognizes schools for their excellent work in achieving exceptional student performance.
Pioneer boasts a graduation rate of 94.6%, and serves its students through rigorous college and career readiness programs and robust intervention policies.
Pioneer provides an Expanded Horizons program, which offers students advice on how to acquire financial aid, fill out a college application, sharpen computer skills and complete A-G requirements, working with District partners such as Rio Hondo College, Tri-City ROP and Cal State Long Beach’s Cal-SOAP.
Expanded Horizons also provides English learners with resources to boost their academic performance and to assist them in preparing for the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) exam.
Pioneer is an Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) National Demonstration School, an honor accorded to only 3% of all AVID programs nationwide. AVID focuses on ensuring underrepresented students have a pathway to higher education.
“We are thrilled to receive this honor. Today we are proud Titans,” Pioneer High Principal Lilia Bozigian said. “Being named a California Distinguished School is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Pioneer family. We are laser-focused on ensuring all students receive equity in education, enabling them to achieve at the highest levels.”