CHS celebrated for being highest ranked high school in district

District treats staff to catered lunch to honor school growth on last year’s CA Dashboard

Caleb Cabrera, Pepper Bough Staf Writer • April 4, 2025

CHS staff was treated to lunch by district to honor academic growth and achievement on last year’s CA Dashboard. Lunch was catered by Big Easy Sandwich.

Colton, CA—On Apr. 2, Colton Joint Unified School District leadership catered lunch for teachers and staff to celebrate Colton High’s overall student growth on last year’s state exams.

It takes a collective effort to support students. Featured from left: librarian April Geltch, secretary Marie Anderson, custodian Robert Silva, business coordinator Judy Peluffo, computer tech Michael Franks, history teacher Gino Persicone, and receptionist Cynthia Garcia.

CHS is the number one ranked high school in the district for the 2023-2024 school year on the California state dashboard, the measure by which the state determines school growth and success. The school showed the greatest amount of growth on last year’s CAASPP (state exam) scores and graduation rate among the three comprehensive high schools.

To celebrate, teachers were treated to lunch from Big Easy Sandwich, a food catering service out of Upland. The menu included chicken sandwiches, burgers and fries.

While the teachers clearly contributed to the school’s success, they were much prouder of students for their academic improvement. “It is awesome that the school district has taken time to recognize the improvements that we have made academically as a school,” said guidance counselor Daniel Checo. “I feel like we have improved, and we’re going to continue improving.”

Staff was informed of this news in December, which is based on results from the 2023-2024 school year. Dr. Tina Peterson, CJUSD Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction expressed her admiration for the improvement. “I know the administration here, they were very intentional last year, with the last few years, with the work they’ve been doing.”

Colton High School administration will be celebrating its students for their successes on last year’s CAASPP exams as part of this year’s CAASPP-Chella events with a lunch incentive on Apr. 22 and a movie incentive on Apr. 29.

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About the Contributor

Caleb Cabrera, Staff Writer

Caleb Cabrera is a freshman at Colton High, in his first year on the Pepper Bough staff. His motto in life: “Love everyone, do what jesus would do, and live a good life.”