Hopes, Dreams, Honor

The atmosphere at Pomona High School is changing. Pomona High School has evolved over time becoming a safer, more college-bound atmosphere and thriving towards success. According to a recent post on Pomona High School website, written by Monica Rodriguez, Pomona High School recently became a certified AVID Demonstration School. AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a program preparing students to go to college and have great global success. The certification AVID Demo is only awarded to 110 Schools out of the 4,500 AVID Schools in the country. So what does this mean? Pomona High serves as model for schools attempting to start or improve the AVID program. Granger Ward, the executive Vice President of the AVID center, made a note of several things including the school’s strong college-ready culture; visionary leadership at every level; high parent participation; and tutors who have ties to the school and community. While interviewing Pomona High School’s Principal Roger Fasting, he was asked about the AVID program and he said it was “awesome.” Mr. Fasting believes that the high expectation and rigorous academics push students for success. He feels that the AVID program has triggered other amazing programs to follow similar rigorous structure in learning like Medical Academy, Engineering Academy, and Band. Statistics show that PHS graduating rates are rapidly increasing and that more and more students are taking and passing AP exams. So how does that show that our culture is changing? In my interview with PHS Cindy Lopez (AP/CP student) she stated, “Our school is improving, before AP classes had 15 students or less and now there are a lot of people (a class of at least 22)”. Cindy believes that PHS students get informed more on college through announcements, posters, and teachers. She told me that she also sees a social change. Cindy stated, “I was scared when I came here.” She believed the stereotypes about it being a bad school but she soon noticed it was a fun, safe school. We need to extend more positive energy down to our CP classes and have this school be known for what it really is. CP classes are improving but there needs to be an equilibrium making our school stronger. The rigor should be enforced more on the CP classes so that we can improve as a whole. When it comes down to the facts, Pomona High School is changing both academically and socially. So do not believe what you hear and come take a look at our amazing school!

Giselle Nuñez