Whitcomb principal highlights improved English scores, AVID rollout and supports for at-risk students

Whitcomb High School’s principal outlined the alternative campus’s priorities and recent progress at the Glendora Unified School District board meeting on Feb. 24.

Principal Shibata said Whitcomb was recently named a 2025 model continuation high school by the California Department of Education and has undertaken AVID implementation and other measures to increase rigor and graduation rates. She reported a meaningful improvement in English language arts, noting "25 percent of our students meeting the standard up from 8.33% the previous year," and described changes to math instruction intended to raise achievement.

Shibata also said the school serves a higher-than-district share of students with disabilities (reported at 55.7% in the dashboard year) and a higher percentage of socioeconomically disadvantaged students (55.7% vs. district average 32.4%). Because Whitcomb’s enrollment is small, she said individual students can materially shift indicator colors on the dashboard; for example, small changes in one cohort can change the college-and-career indicator.

The school has implemented a cell-phone policy and restorative-discipline approaches, added counselors for tiered interventions and strengthened attendance and eligibility policies to support athletics and CTE pathways. Trustees praised the school’s staff and the principal’s leadership and asked what support the board could provide; Shibata asked for understanding of Whitcomb’s unique role as an alternative campus and requested support where needed to sustain specialized programs.