Chaffey Joint Union High School District is a 9–12 school district located in San Bernardino County, California, United States that serves the communities of Ontario, Montclair, Rancho Cucamonga, and portions of Fontana, Upland, Chino, and Mount Baldy.[6] With more than 25,000 students, it is one of the largest high school districts in the state. The district operates eight comprehensive high schools, one online high school, one continuation high school, one community day school, and one adult education school.[6][7][8]
The union high school district began in 1882 when George and William Chaffey, the founders of Ontario, began the Chaffey College of Agriculture and an on-campus secondary school with assistance from the University of Southern California. Ironically, the university abandoned the agricultural school while Chaffey was away in Australia, so he pursued litigation and eventually won.[10] In 1901 control of the secondary school was given to the local community and it was named Ontario High School, only to be renamed Chaffey High School in 1911. It would be the only secondary school in the area until end of World War II when an increase in Ontario's population prompted additional schools.[1]
In 2004, Chaffey proposed building a new high school in Fontana on the corner of walnut and San Sevaine. The project was known as Chaffey Joint Union High School District, High School #9[12]
The district enrolls students who desire a high school education but cannot speak English at Newcomer School for one year in order to learn enough English to complete the high school curriculum, graduate and continue their education.[1]
In 2012, voters within the district passed an $848 million bond issue—the largest investment in classrooms, facilities and technology in the district's more than 100-year history. More than 60 percent of voters supported the measure. On September 10, 2013, ground was broken on the first significant project to be paid for under the bond, a two-story classroom annex at Ontario High School.[13]
On April 21, 2014, Chaffey Superintendent Mathew Holton was honored as Superintendent of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators Region 12.[15]
The school year in the Chaffey Joint Union High School District begins in August and ends in May before the Memorial Day holiday, with the first semester ending in mid-December before the winter break.
Starting with the Class of 2017, all eight comprehensive high schools hold their annual graduation ceremonies at the football fields located in each of the campuses.
Board of Trustees members are elected to a four-year term, by geographical district starting with the November 2018 elections.
Maurice Edu, professional soccer player, Rangers F.C.,[citation needed] and regular on US Men's National Team; played in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa
^The settlement fee was used to establish a scholarship trust fund now administered by volunteers. The scholarship trust fund awards 18 scholarships annually to students in the district.
^TBW&B Public Finance Strategies, LLC. (2005). "Clients". Retrieved 2007-01-24.