Claremont School News
by Andrew Alonzo | aalonzo@claremont-courier.com Despite a loaded agenda, the October 23 Claremont Unified School District Board of Education meeting moved briskly. The board: Heard school plans for student achievement reports from Claremont and San Antonio high schools; Recognized CHS senior Taara Reddy who was recently named a Congressional Award Gold Medalist. Heard the district’s […]
This October Claremont Graduate University celebrates its 100th anniversary. The founding of the graduate school also marks the 100th anniversary of the Claremont Colleges consortium. James Arnold Blaisdell (pictured) was the fourth president of Pomona College and the visionary and driving force behind the formation of the group plan of the Claremont Colleges. Photo/ courtesy of Claremont Heritage
Claremont High School boys water polo team member Logan Towner, left, crosses the ball past an Ayala defender during Wednesday’s 17-16 home loss. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo
Claremont Unified School District invites students and families to its third annual free and public Women in Leadership panel discussion at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 14, at the Don F. Fruechte Theatre for the Performing Arts, 1601 N. Indian Hill Blvd., Claremont. Panelists include state senator Sasha Renee Perez, UC Riverside Dean of Students Stephanie Dingwall, Matthew Silverman Memorial Foundation Executive Director Candace Yoder, LA County Superior Court Judge Allison Westfahl Kong, and Claremont Chamber of Commerce CEO Kathleen Fariss. Courier file photo
Claremont Graduate University celebrates its 100th birthday Tuesday, October 14 with a free and open to the public founders day event, featuring noon tree planting ceremony with CGU Interim President Michelle Bligh, Claremont Mayor Corey Calaycay, and Claremont Colleges Services CEO Stig Lanesskog, at Harper Hall 150 E. 10th St., Claremont. To register or for more info, go to admissions.cgu.edu/register.
Claremont High School senior Taara Reddy’s nearly five years of volunteerism recently caught the eye of the United States Congress, which recognized the 18-year-old with a Congressional Award, the highest honor for civilian youth in the United States. Photo/courtesy of Michael Negrete photography
The Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology was recently reaccredited by the American Alliance of Museums. “We are incredibly proud to receive reaccreditation from AAM,” said Alf Director Andrew Farke in a statement. “This recognition affirms the quality of our programs, the care and significance of our fossil collections, and our commitment to education and scientific discovery. It is also a testament to the dedication of our staff and our vibrant community of student scientists.” Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, or FIRE, recently released its 2026 free speech rankings of 257 American colleges measuring speech climates on their campuses, and while four of the five Claremont Colleges’ undergraduate institutions received an “F,” Claremont McKenna College was ranked number one in the nation. Photo/courtesy of CMC
Neither wind nor rain could keep the Claremont High School marching band from taking the field during Saturday’s Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association event, hosted by the Wolfpack. Courier photo/Peter Weinberger
Claremont Unified School District’s Board of Education unanimously approved a 1% raise for teachers and other personnel on September 18, and voted to give retroactive 1% raises to upper management, including Superintendent Jim Elsasser, bringing his salary to $365,950. Pictured here are CUSD Board President Kathryn Dunn and Claremont Faculty Association president Brian D’Ambrosia-Donner as they ink the new collective bargaining agreement. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo
Last Friday, Claremont High School’s varsity football team accomplished a feat it hadn’t managed in a decade: starting the season undefeated, at 5-0. The team has outscored its opponents 181-74 since it began the year with a 17-12 victory over Capistrano Valley Christian on August 22. Center Joshua Dorado is pictured during weight training on Tuesday. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo
Pomona College announced this week that it received an $8.6 million gift from 1947 alum Marjorie E. Belknap, who died recently at age 98.
Claremont Graduate University and Harvey Mudd College were recently named among 74 recipients of “Insight Into Academia” magazine’s 2025 mental health and well-being awards.
The Claremont Unified School District Board of Education handled business in seven minutes last week with the only item of note being the first reading of updated policies regarding transitional kindergarten and high school graduation requirements. “These were existing Board Policies, but due to legislation and things that come down from the California Department of Education, a few changes needed to be made,” CUSD Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services Julie Olesniewicz wrote in an email. “We get our suggestions from the California School Boards Association.” Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo
Claremont Graduate University’s art and music departments have spent the bulk of the new school year moving to new digs across campus. The school’s music department is now in Stauffer Hall, its art department in the basement of Harper Hall. The moves follows the March 2024 sale to Scripps College the art and music departments’ former home at 150 E. 10thStreet, with the upheaval causing some consternation among CGU students. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo
Claremont’s Sophia Sink eludes defenders during Tuesday’s 52-13 home loss to Linfield Christian, bringing their record to 4-2. The Pack is back in action September 9 when it hosts Glendora at 6:30 p.m., then Ayala at 6:30 p.m. September 16. Results from all other fall sports, including football, golf, tennis, volleyball, cross-country, and water polo, are inside. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo
Claremont Unified School District’s Board of Education heard an update from Claremont Faculty Association President Brian D’Ambrosia-Donner regarding ongoing negotiations for a 1% pay raise for the union at its August 21 meeting. The board also voted 5-0 to approve the first resolution of the new school year, to use state funds to install new kitchen sinks at Chaparral, Mountain View, Oakmont, and Sumner Danbury elementary schools. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo