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CHS Cross Country Shines at CIF and State Finals

Claremont High School Cross Country delivered an outstanding postseason performance over Thanksgiving break, with both the girls and boys teams competing in multiple CIF championships. The Girls Cross Country team won first place in Division 2 at the CIF Southern Section Finals, earning a trip to Fresno for the CIF State Finals, where they finished second overall in Division 2. Senior Isla Bulmer placed fifth out of more than 190 runners, with sophomores Camila Treviño-Davila and Grace Smith finishing seventeenth and twenty-fourth. Isla reflected on the moment as both exciting and emotional, sharing that her motivation came from her teammates and her coach's mantra to "run fearless" during her final high school cross country race.

The Boys Cross Country team also had a standout postseason, finishing eighth overall in the Southern Section Division 2 Finals. Senior Lyle Mideiros tied for second at CIF and advanced to the CIF State Finals, where he finished fourth in the state out of more than 190 runners. Lyle said his goal all year was to break into the top ten at State, and achieving that goal felt like proof of how far he has come. He credits staying healthy, increasing his training, and trusting the process set by his coaches. Lyle is currently being recruited to the United States Military Academy and is completing the final steps of the academy's application process. Head Coach Mark Batres expressed pride in the resilience and growth of both teams. He noted the girls' program overcame adversity, including key injuries, and still delivered a second-place finish at State. He also highlighted the tremendous progress Lyle made from last season and praised his discipline, consistency, and ability to absorb coaching. Looking ahead, Batres shared that next season holds special meaning, as his own child will be joining the CHS cross country program as a freshman. With seven of the top ten girls returning and a strong group of incoming runners, he said the future looks incredibly bright. "We have a lot of talent and a lot of hardworking kids. They make us very proud," he shared.

CHS Senior Joy Cheng Matches with Princeton Through QuestBridge

Claremont High School senior Joy Cheng is still in shock after learning she matched with Princeton University through the prestigious QuestBridge National College Match. Joy ranked 15 schools in the program, including several highly selective universities, but never expected to receive one of her top choices. When she opened her portal and saw "Congratulations from Princeton," she and her parents were overwhelmed with excitement. Joy has already connected with about 60 other Princeton Match students across the country and is beginning to plan her next chapter.

Joy's QuestBridge journey began through the organization's Prep Scholars program, which helped her navigate the multi-step finalist and application process. After being named a finalist in October, she spent two busy weeks completing applications for all 15 schools. "It was a full ride, so I had nothing to lose," she shared. Even now, she describes the outcome as surreal and far beyond what she imagined when she began the process.

Throughout her time at CHS, Joy says she has been surrounded by teachers, coaches, and classmates who championed her success. She credits her cross-country coaches, Coach Mark Batres and Coach Brody, as well as her teachers and her counselor, Mr. Troesh, for guiding and encouraging her along the way. Joy hopes more students explore opportunities like QuestBridge and leaves her peers with a reminder: "Everything will work out in the end. Keep up the good work.”

CHS Senior Max Leeper Signs with University of New Mexico

Claremont High School senior Max Leeper signed to play football for the University of New Mexico during a celebratory gathering in the CHS Library, where family, friends, and former teachers came together to support him as he begins his next chapter. Max expressed gratitude for everyone who has encouraged him throughout his years at El Roble and CHS, noting how much their guidance and belief in him have shaped his journey. His former El Roble teachers even brought a light-hearted framed certificate as a playful nod to the Athlete of the Year awards his sisters earned, adding a moment of humor to an otherwise heartfelt celebration of Max's hard work and the community that has stood beside him.

A Flash of Science in the Quad at CHS

During science class at Claremont High School, teacher Caroline Lee brought chemistry to life when she dropped a piece of pure sodium metal into water in the school’s main quad, creating a bright flash that surprised and delighted students even though they knew the reaction was coming. As the sodium reacted, it combined with the water to produce a powerful reaction caused by the metal reacting with water, creating enough heat and energy to result in a small explosion. Students, fresh from a lesson on chemical reactions, watched with fascination as their classroom learning turned into a memorable real world demonstration.

CUSD Families Connect Through Fall Arts Nights

Claremont Unified School District hosted several Family Arts Nights throughout the fall semester at elementary schools across the district, each offering unique opportunities for families to explore the arts together. These events brought together staff, parents, students, and student volunteers to create a welcoming community experience centered on creativity. At Sumner Danbury, families enjoyed music making with CHS Project Kenote, theatre games led by Claremont High School Troupe 2129, and visual art activities guided by ArtStart students, while other school sites featured their own interactive arts experiences for families to enjoy. Across the district, Family Arts Nights highlighted the joy of artistic expression and the meaningful connections it fosters.

Mountain View First Graders Dive Into Mosquito Awareness

First-grade students in Monique Manjarrez's class at Mountain View Elementary School recently participated in an engaging mosquito awareness program in partnership with the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District. As part of the in-house presentation, students completed a pre-assessment, collected water samples from home, and later participated in a post-assessment to measure their learning. Vector Control experts analyzed the samples and shared digital pictures and videos with the classes, giving students a close-up look at mosquito larvae and other organisms found in their collected water.

Join Us for CUSD's TK and Kindergarten Open Houses

Claremont Unified School District is excited to welcome families to our TK and Kindergarten Open Houses taking place January 28 to 30, 2026. Each of our elementary schools will open its doors for engaging, campus-based events where families can meet teachers, explore classrooms, learn about enriching programs, and experience the welcoming environments that make CUSD a special place to begin a child's educational journey. From innovative instruction to vibrant art, music, and STEM opportunities, these Open Houses give families a firsthand look at how we nurture curiosity, creativity, and academic excellence.

We look forward to meeting new families and helping them confidently take their first steps into the Claremont Unified community.