More Than 1,800 Graduates Celebrate Achievement
Hesperia, Calif. (High Desert News Online) – The Hesperia Unified School District celebrated a historic graduation season as more than 1,800 students from across the district’s Class of 2026 received diplomas, earned scholarships, completed Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways, and prepared for college, military service, trade schools, and careers. The ceremonies highlighted record-breaking academic accomplishments, impressive graduation rates, and the continued success of HUSD’s mission of preparing today’s students for tomorrow’s world.
Top Areas Covered
- District-wide graduation achievements
- Record graduation rates and academic milestones
- Scholarship and financial aid awards
- Associate Degree and dual-enrollment accomplishments
- Career Technical Education completion rates
- Military enlistments and athletic scholarships
- Leadership transitions at Oak Hills and Hesperia High School
- Adult education success stories
For decades, Hesperia Unified School District has expanded opportunities for students through college-preparatory coursework, career pathways, dual-enrollment programs, and workforce readiness initiatives. The Class of 2026 continued that tradition, producing some of the highest levels of academic achievement and post-secondary preparedness in district history.
Canyon Ridge High School
Canyon Ridge High School celebrated 84 graduates as students completed their educational journeys through the school’s alternative education pathway. The school’s longstanding “ringing the bell” tradition marked the successful completion of each graduate’s unique path toward earning a diploma.
Graduates leave prepared to enter the workforce, attend trade schools, pursue higher education, and continue building successful futures.
Mojave High School Achieves Highest Graduation Rate in a Decade
Mojave High School reached a major milestone with 144 graduates and a remarkable 95 percent graduation rate, the highest recorded by the school in the past 10 years.
Additional accomplishments included:
- 30 Career Technical Education completers
- 15 students entering vocational schools
- 10 scholarship recipients from local organizations
- 3 military enlistments
The achievement reflects years of focused efforts to improve student outcomes and expand career and technical education opportunities.
Shadow Ridge School Earns Perfect Graduation Rate
Shadow Ridge School achieved a perfect 100 percent graduation rate, with all 54 seniors earning diplomas.
Among the graduating class:
- 74 percent (40 students) completed A-G university admission requirements
- 30 percent (16 students) completed Career Technical Education pathways
The results demonstrate the school’s commitment to academic excellence and college and career readiness.
Oak Hills High School Graduates 577 Students
Oak Hills High School celebrated one of the district’s largest graduating classes with 577 graduates crossing the stage.
The Bulldogs earned:
- $443,200 annually in scholarships
- Nearly $2 million in total four-year scholarship awards
- 20 athletic scholarship offers
- 10 military enlistments
- 6 students receiving full tuition through the Giveback Program
- 20 Valedictorians
- 81 Seal of Biliteracy recipients
Graduates will continue their education at institutions across the nation, including California State University campuses, the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Grand Canyon University, Loyola Marymount University, Tufts University, Belmont University, and the University of Oregon.
The ceremony also marked the conclusion of Principal Mr. Capps’ nearly 30-year career in education as he prepares for retirement after decades of service to students.
Sultana High School Posts 99 Percent Graduation Rate
Sultana High School honored 444 graduating seniors while maintaining an outstanding 99 percent graduation rate.
The class recorded impressive academic achievements:
- 76 percent completed A-G requirements
- 76 percent completed CTE pathways
- 14 seniors earned a combined 29 Associate’s Degrees
- $423,000 in community scholarships
- $305,456 annually in university scholarships
- $1,221,824 in projected four-year university scholarship value
- $31,570 annually in athletic scholarships
- $94,712 in projected four-year athletic scholarship value
The accomplishments underscore the school’s growing emphasis on college readiness, career preparation, and dual-enrollment opportunities.
Hesperia High School Delivers Record-Breaking Results
Hesperia High School celebrated 548 graduates in what district officials described as one of the most accomplished classes in school history.
The Class of 2026 earned more than $2.2 million in scholarships while 84 percent of graduates completed A-G university requirements.
Notable academic achievements included:
- 45 Valedictorians
- 79 Associate of Arts degrees earned concurrently with high school diplomas
- 42 students earning multiple Associate Degrees
- 6 students earning three Associate Degrees
- 2 students earning four Associate Degrees
The class also included recipients of the prestigious Gates Scholar, Edison Scholar, and QuestBridge Scholar honors.
The ceremony marked a significant transition for the campus as Principal Mr. Everett prepares to move into a leadership position at the Hesperia Unified School District office after more than a decade leading Hesperia High School.
Adult Education Graduates Demonstrate Lifelong Learning
The Victor Valley Adult Education Regional Consortium held commencement ceremonies at Victor Valley College, recognizing 580 graduates ranging in age from 18 to 85.
Among those graduates, 228 were supported through the Hesperia Adult School program.
The ceremony highlighted the growing importance of adult education programs that provide opportunities for career advancement, workforce development, high school completion, and personal achievement throughout all stages of life.
District Celebrates Historic Year
The Class of 2026 leaves behind a legacy of academic excellence, perseverance, and achievement. Across Hesperia Unified School District, graduates earned millions of dollars in scholarships, achieved record graduation rates, completed college degrees while still in high school, secured military and athletic opportunities, and demonstrated the value of career-focused education.
As these graduates move on to colleges, universities, military service, trade schools, and the workforce, district leaders say they are well-positioned to become the next generation of community leaders, innovators, and professionals throughout the High Desert and beyond.
