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Welcome to the 2026-2027 School Year
John Roach

The 2026-2027 school year is here!  Our amazing team of teachers, support staff and administration returns starting on Monday, August 3, 2026.  Students start school on Wednesday, August 5, 2026.  On behalf of our Board of Education and our Superintendent John Roach, Hacienda La Puente Unified School District is honored to work with our families and educational partners to provide a safe and inclusive learning environment for each and every student.  In HLPUSD, we are 'Honoring Local Pride and Unlocking Students' Dreams'!

The beginning of each school year is an exciting time.  We line up at the starting line and look ahead to 180 days filled with meaningful learning experiences.  Our students come filled with hope and anticipation as they meet their new teachers and form new friendships.  We know that those 180 days come with challenges and hurdles that we need to work together to overcome.  For a successful 180 days, we need to continue to collaborate on best practices to support the individual needs of our students.  Each of us in our role is critical to the success of our school district.

Watch our Superintendent Mr. John Roach's Welcome Back Message

We look forward to working together to make the 2026-2027 school an amazing 180 run!  For more information about our Superintendent's Priorities, please visit: www.hlpschools.org/district/superintendent

 

Hacienda La Puente Unified Celebrates Grand Opening of High School Sports Complex
Nancy Yeang

Hacienda La Puente Unified School District (HLPUSD) celebrated the grand opening of William Workman High School’s Sports Complex on March 19, marking a transformative investment that provides students and the community with a long-awaited home for athletics, school traditions, and shared community experiences.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony welcomed elected officials and representatives, students, staff, families, alumni, and future Lobos to be among the first to step onto the new sports fields, score the honorary first soccer goals and football touchdowns, and practice their athletic skills.

Workman senior and Associated Student Body treasurer Carlos Ayala said he looks forward to attending the home baseball games and cheering on the team.

“This stadium marks a new era for Workman High and it’s something students and alumni have been advocating for over many years,” Ayala said. “We finally have a place to call home where we can host games and events. I’m excited for school spirit to grow and for future Lobos to create lasting memories.”

The project reflects years of planning and community advocacy supported by the HLPUSD Board of Education. Phase I, approved in 2017, transformed the former grass field into a modern athletic field, featuring a rubberized eight-lane track and field event area and upgrades to the tennis courts.

Building on that progress, the Board advanced Phase II in 2021 with a $16 million investment to construct new sports fields with a synthetic turf field for football and soccer, new baseball field, spectator seating for 500 guests, enhanced athletic amenities, and accessibility improvements for students, families, and visitors.

“This project creates a space that truly belongs to our students and community, and I’m looking forward to enjoying those Friday night lights,” Workman Principal Timothy Espinosa said. “Having a home venue strengthens school pride and gives our students opportunities to build traditions, celebrate achievements, and connect through shared experiences that define the Lobos spirit.”

The sports complex will serve as a central gathering space for athletic competitions, school events, and community celebrations, allowing programs and activities to be hosted on campus rather than at off-site locations.

“The opening of this complex reflects our commitment to investing in facilities that bring people together and support the whole student experience,” HLPUSD Superintendent John Roach said. “Providing students with a place where they can compete, gather, and represent their school strengthens community pride and reinforces the important role our schools play at the heart of the community.”

PHOTOS

Workman High School athletes score the honorary first soccer goals and football touchdowns as part of the Workman Sports Complex ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 19.  

 A Lobos family is among the first community members to enjoy Workman’s brand-new athletic fields during the grand opening of its sports complex on March 19.

 Hacienda La Puente Unified School District (HLPUSD) celebrated the grand opening of Workman’s Sports Complex on March 19 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Pictured from left to right: HLPUSD Superintendent John Roach, Board Member Jeffrey De La Torre, Board Vice President Adriana Quinonez, Board Member Stephanie Serrano, Board President Gino Kwok, Board Clerk Nancy Loera, and Workman Principal Timothy Espinosa.

Hacienda La Puente Unified Appoints Long-Time Educator John Roach as Superintendent
Nancy Yeang

John Roach has been selected as the next Superintendent of Hacienda La Puente Unified School District (HLPUSD), bringing decades of experience in public education, a deep commitment to student success, and a passion for creating safe, engaging learning environments rooted in transparency and collaboration.

Throughout his career, Roach has served in a wide range of educational leadership and instructional roles, including assistant superintendent of educational services; senior director of assessment, research, data analysis, and educational technology; director of secondary curriculum; middle school principal; and elementary school teacher. Each role has reinforced his dedication to public education and to supporting students, staff, and families.

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to join a dedicated and talented team of professional educators and staff as the next superintendent of HLPUSD,” Roach said. “I look forward to building upon the strong foundation of success and opportunities available to our students and community, and collaborating with all of our partners to move the District forward with purpose, innovation and equity.”

Roach earned his bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Idaho and later completed his master’s degree in educational administration at California State University, San Bernardino. 

The District’s Board of Education voted to approve Roach’s appointment as the permanent superintendent during a Dec. 11 Board meeting.

“Everybody here on this dais sees your passion, drive, and commitment to public education,” Board president Gino Kwok said during the meeting. “We look forward to working with you in service of our students and community. The best days of our school district lay ahead under your leadership”

The District led a comprehensive superintendent search throughout the fall semester, which included establishing selection criteria, gathering community input through an online survey, holding individual and group meetings, and conducting an extensive review and interview process.

Roach officially assumed the role of Superintendent on Jan. 5, 2026.

PHOTO

Long-time educator John Roach has been selected as the next Superintendent of Hacienda La Puente Unified School District.

Hacienda La Puente Unified Welcomes Back More Than 15,000 Students for 2025-26 School Year
Nancy Yeang

Red carpets, cheering squads, and vibrant energy marked the first day of the 2025-26 school year as Hacienda La Puente Unified School District welcomed back more than 15,000 students across 28 campuses on Wednesday, Aug. 6.

At Wedgeworth Elementary School, students began the year on a brand-new, two-story campus featuring 30 modern classrooms, smart technology, energy-efficient systems, and a fully outfitted kitchen. The indoor/outdoor multipurpose room offers a flexible learning and activity space, while an underground stormwater basin — designed to capture 1.5 million gallons of water — underscores the District’s ongoing commitment to sustainability.

“I know one friend in my class, but I'm a little nervous to meet other people,” said Wedgeworth third-grader Jacob Zane, whose favorite subject is math. “I'm happy I'm here though and my teacher already gave me a hug and said hi to me.”

William Workman High School students proudly walked the red carpet into the new school year, excited about the anticipated completion of a new Sports Complex.  

“Having a place on our own campus where our students can play means a lot to our students, athletes, and families,” Workman Principal Timothy Espinosa said. “We look forward to welcoming the Lobos community as we open our stadium this fall.”

This school year will also mark the first graduating class from the Workman Early College Academy Network (WECAN), which allows students to earn both a high school diploma and an associate degree in communications through a partnership with Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC). This will also be the first year with ninth-grade students taking college-level courses.

In addition to WECAN, Hacienda La Puente Unified offers a broad range of innovative, future-ready programs, including Dual Language Immersion in Spanish, Mandarin, and Korean, and career technical education (CTE) pathways in 11 industry sectors such as engineering, aviation, and the nationally recognized Public Safety program.

Sparks Middle School will also begin offering early college preparation through Mt. SAC’s Upward Bound program, guiding students toward higher education success.

Orange Grove Middle School sixth- and seventh-grade science teacher Cynthia Higbee said she loves teaching and is excited to provide an engaging computer, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (C-STEM) environment for students.

“I can’t wait to start with our C-STEM curriculum, where we integrate computing and robotics and get our kids started with block programming,” Higbee said. “It’s important for our students to get into the labs, analyze data, and distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information.”

In addition to its rigorous academics, HLPUSD supports students through a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), a comprehensive framework that addresses academic, behavioral, and social-emotional student needs. Grounded in data and a strengths-based approach, MTSS empowers educators to deliver targeted instruction, make informed decisions, and ensure positive outcomes for all students.

Throughout the summer months, students participated in a variety of enrichment programs to support academic and social growth and ease the transition back to school. More than 200 HLPUSD staff also took part in the District’s summer institute, engaging in professional development topics including curriculum updates, inclusive teaching practices, and strategies to support diverse academic and social-emotional needs.

“As we begin a new academic year, Hacienda La Puente Unified remains dedicated to empowering students with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to succeed in an interconnected world,” Acting Superintendent Manoj Roychowdhury said. “The first day of school sets the tone for a welcoming and supportive environment where every student feels inspired to thrive.”

PHOTOS

Wedgeworth Elementary School students celebrate their newly-constructed campus during the first day of school on Aug. 6

William Workman High School percussion students welcome back their peers with lively music on the first day of school on Aug. 6.

Orange Grove Middle School students help kick off a new school year with warm greetings for their fellow Ocelots on Aug. 6.

  • August 2025
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