EL MONTE — El Monte Union Schools earned recognition through a national program honoring health and wellness practices on school campuses. Fernando R. Ledesma High School and Mountain View High School were named among the 2026 America’s Healthiest Schools.
The two El Monte Union High School District campuses joined 1,376 schools recognized across 35 states and Washington, D.C. The Alliance for a Healthier Generation gives the annual honors to schools that demonstrate qualifying wellness practices.
“This national recognition reflects the meaningful work taking place across El Monte Union,” Superintendent Edward Zuniga said in a Sept. 2 district announcement. He credited staff, students, families and community partners for the schools’ accomplishments.
El Monte Union Schools Earn Recognition
Fernando R. Ledesma received recognition in three areas: physical education and activity, social-emotional health and learning, and family and community engagement.
The campus provides an alternative educational setting for students who may need a different path toward graduation. Principal Freddy Arteaga said in the district announcement that the three honors reflect the school’s approach to supporting students.
“At Fernando R. Ledesma, we know students thrive when their academic, emotional and physical needs are met and their families are engaged in their success,” Arteaga said.
Schools seeking recognition complete an assessment and application documenting their health and wellness practices. The Alliance for a Healthier Generation evaluates schools across as many as nine areas.
Those areas include nutrition, physical activity, health education, social-emotional learning, school health services, staff well-being and family engagement.
More information about the recognition program is available through the Alliance for a Healthier Generation at https://www.healthiergeneration.org.
Mountain View Supports Staff Well-Being
Mountain View received recognition for supporting staff well-being. The category focuses on practices supporting the physical, social, emotional and professional needs of school employees.
“As principal, I believe prioritizing educator well-being is essential to creating a healthy and supportive school environment,” Mountain View Principal Jose Bañas said in the district announcement.
Bañas said supported employees are better positioned to help students succeed and contribute to a positive, sustainable school culture.
El Monte Union coordinated its participation through the District Wellness Committee. Nutrition Services Director Suzy Sayre provided leadership, with support from Maryam Shayegh, a nutrition and wellness coordinator with the Los Angeles County Office of Education.
The effort also received support through LACOE’s Kaiser Permanente-funded Thriving Schools Project. The project provides participating districts with funding, training and technical assistance to strengthen school health practices.
Wellness Efforts Reach Entire Community
El Monte Union Schools Earn Recognition for different approaches toward a shared goal of healthier campus communities.
Fernando R. Ledesma’s honors focus on physical activity, social-emotional health and connections with families. Mountain View’s recognition highlights the well-being of employees who serve students each day.
The awards also illustrate how school wellness can extend beyond traditional physical education and nutrition programs. District efforts can involve students, educators, families and community partners.
“We are proud to see their efforts recognized on a national level,” Zuniga said in the district announcement, “and grateful to everyone who continues to advance wellness across our district.”
For El Monte Union families, the national honors recognize work at two local campuses to create environments where students and employees receive support to succeed.
