Students, parents and administrators are now enjoying California High School’s new administration building. Formerly the arts building, the administration building is now located near the new main school entrance off of Hawes Street.

The building provides a central location for the offices of the principal, assistant principals of curriculum and of guidance, guidance counselors, the dean, the registrar, the school resource officer, the school psychologist, and attendance and guidance clerks. Previously, these offices where located in different locations on campus. The school entrance just outside the new offices has been updated with new pavers and landscaping and a beautiful wall of blue glass.

The school’s old science buildings– DD, F and I – currently are being remodeled. And this summer, work will be done to remodel the classrooms and bathrooms in the large gym at Cal High. Air conditioning also will be installed.

At La Serna High School, preparations are underway to construct an athletic building, featuring an enviroplex design, which will be built on the upper athletic field level and will provide a weight room, exercise room and bathrooms. This new building will also provide more convenient athletic field access. The space being vacated will then be converted from a weight room and exercise room into four large classrooms to serve the La Serna High School campus’ main level.

In addition, pavers are being installed in an area near the small gym for improved walking access and to reduce mud and dust. The project includes improving access for the disabled.

Pioneer High School will soon begin the district’s first major solar power program. Solar panels will be installed atop the locker room building and will provide 30 kilowatts of electricity. During the winter, the solar panels will provide one-third of the school’s electricity and 20 to 25 percent of its power in the summer. The cost savings will be significant because the school will be reducing the need for electricity during the summer’s peak demand times.

The district also will begin taking bids for the new Pioneer athletic stadium late this month and plans to break ground on construction by the end of May.

Santa Fe High School’s 16-acre athletic fields have been remodeled and feature a new all-weather track, football, soccer, and softball and baseball fields with plentiful seating for spectators on all fields.

There are also new protective cages or dugouts for the players, water fountains, restrooms, and trees for shade. Pavers have been installed around the fields for easy walking access. 

In addition, the school’s new Art Alley is close to being completed. The area will provide an outdoor space with pavers to create art outside the classrooms as well as kiln enclosures with two large kilns. Art classrooms will open onto the Art Alley for easy student access.

Whittier High School’s historic “horseshoe” quad remodel is close to being completed and now features new grass, seat walls, and pavers. Currently, ramps are being built for better access for the disabled, connecting the Vic Lopez Auditorium to the horseshoe.

Whittier High School’s athletic fields will also get a much-needed facelift soon: track, baseball and softball diamond will be remodeled this summer and will include plentiful bleachers on all fields for spectators.

Frontier High School, Santa Fe High School, and Whittier High School will soon benefit from the installation of upgraded audio video systems. The new systems provide such technological features as the ability to link the teacher’s computer to the classroom’s overhead projector. These systems have already been installed at California and Pioneer high schools.

Modernization projects across Whittier Union’s campuses are made possible by funds from Bond Measure W which voters overwhelmingly approved in 2008 to improve campus facilities.