Original Research by School Decision on Pomona High
Pomona High serves a secondary enrollment of about that size spread evenly across grades nine through twelve, with an unusually high concentration of students from low-income households. The school sits in a mixed urban-suburban setting in central Los Angeles County, in a city that is dense, historically Latino, and undergoing notable transit-driven growth and housing development.
Academically, state testing results show the school faces significant headwinds. English language arts proficiency sits below where it would need to be for solid college and career readiness. Mathematics proficiency is markedly low. Science proficiency is very low. These figures reflect the reality that the school serves a student population with substantial economic hardship and a makeup that is overwhelmingly Hispanic. Data on English learner enrollment and special education enrollment was not available, so a parent may want to look into further what the English language support and special services landscape looks like at the school itself. The school does not report a four-year graduation rate in available state data, which is an important metric families typically want to see; a parent should ask the school or district for that number directly.
The Pomona Unified district, which operates the school, made two changes in the past year that affect families here. In March 2024, the district reached agreement with its teachers union for ongoing salary increases plus a one-time bonus, both retroactive, paired with increased health benefits. The stated goal was to bring teacher compensation closer to what surrounding districts pay, which bears on recruitment and retention. In November 2024, voters approved a general obligation bond measure with property-tax implications; homeowners in the district will pay higher property taxes for years, and the bond proceeds support classroom upgrades, roof and restroom repairs, safe drinking water systems, and removal of asbestos, mold, and lead paint across district schools. For renters and those without property, this represents no direct cost, but for homeowners, it is a lasting financial commitment.
The broader Pomona context is one of active growth and change. The city has a genuine downtown anchored by the Pomona Arts Colony, a neighborhood of galleries, studios, ethnic restaurants, and artist lofts that draws foot traffic for monthly art walks and events. Downtown public life includes the Pomona Public Library, the Fox Theater, museums, and parks. Transit is expanding: the Metro A Line light rail extension opened to Pomona in September 2025, connecting the city to Pasadena and downtown Los Angeles. The city is pursuing infill housing and complete-streets development tied to state housing requirements, with several apartment projects at various stages. Major employers include Cal Poly Pomona, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona Valley Hospital, and food and biopharmaceutical manufacturers. Housing values and rents are moderate for the Los Angeles County context, though affordability remains tight relative to household income. The community's economic base centers on retail, healthcare, and manufacturing.
Pomona High, as a regular public secondary school, is the standard district pathway for students in the area. What specific program offerings exist at the school, beyond standard course sequences, was not available in the data provided. A parent considering the school should visit in person, speak with current students and families, and request from the school or district information on course breadth, career and technical pathways, college prep support, and how the school serves students performing below proficiency in math and science, since those are areas where the school's aggregate results show clear need. The combination of very low state testing results, high economic hardship among the student body, and missing graduation-rate data suggests the school serves students facing real academic and economic barriers, and families should understand what supports are in place and whether those align with their child's needs.
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