Press Releases

The June Superintendent's Update is now available at the link below.

June Superintendent's Update

Upland Unified Class of 2025 Celebrated During Uplifting Commencement Ceremony

Celebratory cheers and thunderous applause filled Toyota Arena in Ontario as Upland Unified School District awarded diplomas to 778 graduates from Upland and Hillside high schools, sending the Class of 2025 on to their next chapter on June 5.

The evening featured performances by the Upland High School concert and pipe bands and choir, as well as addresses from valedictorians and twin brothers Kaden and Kyle Huang, salutatorian Srinivas Gollapudi, Associated Student Body president Elyas Tejeda, and senior class president Alicia Mora.

“We all come from different backgrounds and have participated in different school activities but yet are a collective and have formed an identity of achievement,” said Kaden Huang, reminding his peers of the formative experiences from Upland High School that will help prepare them for the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

A total of 34 seniors graduated with high honors, earning an unweighted total grade point average of at least 3.9 and completing a minimum of 24 semesters of Advanced Placement, honors, and/or dual enrollment college classes.

Several Upland Unified seniors are headed for prestigious universities including Princeton, Stanford, Harvey Mudd, and UCLA. Many more graduates will attend other University of California, California State University institutions, and community colleges.

“We are extremely proud of each of our Class of 2025 graduates and are confident they will continue the Upland Unified School District Vision of Creating Excellence wherever their journey may take them next,” Superintendent Lynn Carmen Day said.

UUSD_GRADUATION1: From left: twin brothers Kaden and Kyle Huang were honored as Upland High School’s Valedictorians at the class of 2025 commencement ceremony on June 5.

UUSD_GRADUATION2: Class of 2025 graduates make the signature Upland Unified School District’s “U” salute during the class of 2025 commencement ceremony at Toyota Arena on June 5.

 

Upland Unified School District has been recognized as “Favorite School District” in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards, with four Upland Unified schools also voted as favorites, including Sierra Vista and Valencia elementary schools, Upland Junior High School, and Upland High School.

The Inland Valley Readers’ Choice Awards celebrate excellence in education throughout the Inland Valley region and acknowledge institutions that have demonstrated exceptional academic programs, award-winning athletics, and a lasting impact on the lives of students. Votes were tallied from ballots that ran on the Daily Bulletin’s website throughout January and February.

“This honor reflects our strong bond with the community and ongoing commitment to creating excellence for all students through rigorous, engaging, and mindful programs,” Superintendent Lynn Carmen Day said. “We are honored to be recognized as a favorite District and look forward to continuing the vital work we do every day to ensure the success of all students.”

Upland Unified serves approximately 9,800 students across 14 schools that offer a wide range of engaging programs. Sierra Vista Elementary School is a sports academy magnet school while Valencia Elementary School is a service-learning academy.

Both Upland Junior High School and Upland High School provide quality academics, robust arts and music programs, competitive athletics, and extracurricular activities to engage all learners.  

“We are proud of our school community for earning the distinction of being one of the Inland Valley’s favorites this year,” Upland Unified Board President Wes Fifield said. “Congratulations to all of our students, teachers, staff, and families for earning this prestigious award.”

Upland High School concluded its spring sports season with the unveiling of a new, state-of-the-art multi-sports athletic complex, a transformative addition designed to elevate the school’s athletic programs, support the performing arts, and foster greater school spirit and community pride.

The newly completed space features artificial turf baseball and football fields, a high-tech scoreboard and sound system, and lighted batting cages. It will directly serve student-athletes in baseball, golf, and flag football, while also supporting practices for other sports and accommodating color guard and percussion rehearsals. Physical education classes will also benefit from use of the modernized facilities.

“Having a new field on campus will bring even more excitement to sports across the District like flag football,” Upland High sophomore Arianna Velazquez said. “It’s something fresh and different that people haven’t seen before.”

After many great years of baseball games at Memorial Park, for the first time, the Upland High baseball team was able to host its final two home games of the season on a field they can now call their own.

“We wanted to create a space that would have a positive impact on school pride and really elevate our sports,” Upland High principal Dr. Martin Gomez said. “Having an on-campus field will help increase student attendance at games, create a stronger sense of unity, and allow our student-athletes to thrive.”

Designed with sustainability in mind, the complex incorporates near-zero water usage, requires no fertilizers, and includes features that absorb rainwater to reduce runoff. These features allow Upland Unified School District to continue its commitment to environmental responsibility while delivering cutting-edge facilities for students.

“The new multi-sports athletic field was made possible with the support of our community,” Upland Unified Board President Wes Fifield said. “Thank you to San Bernardino County Supervisors Jesse Armendarez and Curt Hagman, Jeff and Vicki Mensen of Gregg Electric, and community member Ralph Cavallo for being powerful driving forces behind this great project.”

Construction on the field began in August 2023 and was completed in time to give students a home field that reflects their pride and passion for sports and extracurricular opportunities.

“This field is more than just a place to play, it represents what is possible when a community comes together to support its students,” Superintendent Dr. Lynn Carmen Day said. “Our students deserve to shine, and this new multi-sports athletic field gives them the platform to do just that.”

Upland Junior High School has been honored as a Recognized American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Model Program (RAMP) by ASCA – an achievement that reflects the school’s unwavering commitment to ensuring every student has access to the resources, guidance, and support needed to thrive.

This national recognition is the culmination of a rigorous three-year process in which Upland Junior High demonstrated the strength of its comprehensive, data-driven counseling program and its positive impact on student outcomes. This school year, only 190 schools across 29 states received the prestigious RAMP designation.

“Being named a Recognized ASCA Model Program validates the hard work and dedication of our counseling team,” counselor Mirna DeLeon said. “It shows that we’re committed to serving the whole student and meeting diverse needs. Our program stands out because we deliver intentional, targeted support to all students.”

Upland Junior High’s counseling utilizes a tiered system of support to ensure all students receive the care and attention they need. At the foundational level, all students receive weekly classroom lessons focused on social-emotional development and mental health. Delivered by school counselors every Wednesday, these sessions cover topics such as conflict resolution, the use of empowering “I” statements, mental health awareness, and more.

For students needing additional guidance, counselors provide small-group support focused on academic progress, attendance, and emotional well-being. Those with the greatest needs receive one-on-one counseling tailored to their specific challenges.

“It’s a true team effort,” DeLeon said. “We wouldn’t be able to do any of this without the support of our teachers who offer weekly class time for our lessons, and our administration and District leadership who consistently advocate for the mental well-being of all students.”

The school is also home to an on-campus wellness center, run by one of the credentialed school counselors, that offers a safe space where students can address immediate emotional or mental health needs.

The center supports students dealing with anxiety, interpersonal conflict, academic stress, and other challenges, helping them return to class focused and ready to learn.

“At Upland Unified School District, the mental and physical wellbeing of our students is our top priority,” Superintendent Dr. Lynn Carmen Day said. “We are incredibly proud of Upland Junior High School and its exceptional counseling team for earning this well-deserved recognition and for modeling what student-centered support truly looks like.”

Upland Junior High will be formally recognized as a RAMP at ASCA’s Annual Conference in July.