Claremont School News

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

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

Paul Ghaffari and Evelyn Nussenbaum began four-year terms as members of the college’s board of trustees last month.

Community college students who meet California State University transfer requirements are guaranteed admission to Cal Poly Pomona in spring 2026.

“Don’t worry, be happy” is a directive easier said than done. That is, unless you understand the science-backed markers of a happy life, and learn how to cultivate them in your daily existence. This is the mission of the newly established Claremont Flourishing Center at Claremont Graduate University. Pictured here are CGU professor Stewart Donaldson, president of CFC, and CGU Ph.D. student Tatiana Shemiakina, CFC’s director of operations. Courier photo/Peter Weinberger

Claremont Unified School District’s first day of school is Wednesday, August 27. In anticipation, the Courier reached out to CUSD Superintendent Jim Elsasser and CUSD administration for a back-to-school guide. In this photo from 2024, The Claremont High cheer team welcomes students back to campus. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo