Contact: Ronald Gonzales-Lawrence
Date: September 4, 2025
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (909) 397-4800 ext. 23885
Date: September 4, 2025
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (909) 397-4800 ext. 23885
Pomona Unified Schools See Graduation Rates Rise Across District
POMONA, Calif. — Pomona Unified School District is celebrating a major milestone as graduation rates across its high schools rose significantly from 2024 to 2025. District leaders and educators say the increase reflects a collective commitment to high academic standards.
“We could not be more proud of our students and staff for all their hard work. These incredible graduation rate increases are a testament to the District commitment of ‘Student Success is our Success! – Staying the Course” said Darren Knowles, Superintendent of Schools.
Board President Patricia Tye said, “As a former PUSD Teacher and Administrator, I know how hard it is to reach this level of success. As a Board member, it’s incredibly rewarding to see the dedication of our administrative team’s investments in our educators in our programs and most importantly in our students paying off. These are not just numbers they are students who put in the hard work and earned their High School Diploma. Congratulations to each and every one of them!”
Leading the trend is Fremont Academy of Engineering and Design, which posted the largest annual gain in the district, jumping from 84.4% in 2024 to 94.3% in 2025.
Close behind is Pomona High School, which improved from 85.8% to 93.1%. Village Academy High School also showed continued growth, rising from 95.2% to 98.9% and earning the highest graduation rate in the district.
Other campuses that improved include Ganesha High School, Diamond Ranch High School, and Park West High School, each with at least a one-point gain in graduation rates.
These increases helped raise the District’s overall graduation rate from 90.3% in 2024 to 92.7% in 2025, well above previous state and national benchmarks.
Garey High School posted a strong 93.8% graduation rate, with 350 out of 373 students completing their studies — the highest number of graduates Districtwide.
Principal Robert Fasting of Fremont Academy attributed the improvement to a shared commitment among students, families and staff.
“The class of 2025 achievement is a testament to the students and families’ commitment to success,” Fasting said. “We have an amazing group of professional educators, including teachers, counselors, administrators and support staff guiding the development of students.”
Fasting also noted that maintaining success means building on what works, addressing challenges as they arise, and cooperating with the community to develop strategies that help students succeed.
At Ganesha High School, Principal Joseph Biagioni echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing teamwork and sustained, collective support in boosting student achievement.
“We’re proud of the work of students and the collaborative work of our whole team… to maintain it is definitely a testament to the work of our teachers and support staff all working together to really keep our students on track for graduation,” Biagioni said.
Biagioni highlighted programs such as Community Schools, counseling, tutoring, restorative supports and partnerships with colleges like Mt. SAC and Cal Poly Pomona as essential for keeping students engaged. He also underscored the school’s focus on easing the transition for freshmen as critical to improving graduation rates and preparing students for success after graduation.
Furthermore, he explained that teachers, counselors, and community partners use data to provide targeted academic and social-emotional support, while families have praised Ganesha’s inclusive climate, credit recovery programs and dual-enrollment opportunities that give students a head start on college.
These combined efforts reflect PUSD’s increased effectiveness in cultivating a safe, supportive and academically challenging environment for all students that also prepares them for future careers.
“We hear a lot from our students and families that this is a safe and welcoming environment, and they also feel like, ‘If I need support, I have resources here. I can talk to my teacher, counselor, an administrator or the community schools program.’ There’s an adult on this campus who will find a way to do that,” Biagioni said.
For more information about Pomona Unified School District and its educational and extracurricular activities, please contact the district office at (909) 397-4800 or visit their website at www.pusd.org.
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Pomona Unified School District is a Pre-Kindergarten through12th grade world-class educational institution in east Los Angeles County serving the cities of Pomona and Diamond Bar with over 20,000 students.