Glendora High School leaders highlight academic gains, declining suspensions and growing CTE and arts participation

Glendora High School administrators delivered an extensive update to the Glendora Unified School District board, highlighting academic gains, robust participation in arts and career-technical programs, and a recent decline in suspensions.

Mrs Jamie, Glendora High School’s lead administrator, said the school’s graduation rate stands at about 98% and noted increases in participation and performance on key assessments and AP exams. Administrators also pointed to active CTE pathways (including an aviation pathway with more than 50 completers this year), and a broad Visual and Performing Arts program; the GHS band and pageantry were selected to represent California in the 2025 Independence Day parade in Washington, D.C.

Assistant principal Mr Rod Tilton addressed discipline data: he told trustees that the 2022–23 suspension rate rose to 3.4%—78 students—but that this school year the campus has recorded 24 suspensions to date and only one since February. He described the district’s current practice of suspending only for the “big five” statutory offenses under the California Education Code and emphasized prevention and restorative approaches to keep students connected to school.

Administrators also described supports for English learners and students with disabilities, noting improvements in some subgroups while acknowledging persistent gaps in outcomes for students with disabilities. The school’s student support specialist, Britney Wridge, was credited with coordinating services that reached hundreds of students this year, including targeted small groups and donations of supplies and meals.

Trustees asked follow-up questions about suspension practices, connectedness and supports; administrators said they are using interim assessments, targeted interventions and expanded counseling supports to address learning gaps and student wellbeing. The presentation closed with trustees praising student achievements in athletics, arts and community service.