A Message from Our Superintendent

April 23, 2026

Dear Parent/Guardian,

Spring continues to be one of the most exciting times across our district, filled with opportunities to celebrate the incredible accomplishments of our students and staff. From classrooms to competition floors, stages to athletic fields, there is so much to be proud of throughout TJUHSD.

We continue to see strong academic progress across the district. Our graduation rate remains high, and more students are meeting college and career readiness indicators. Tulare Union and Tulare Western were also recognized on the 2025 AP School Honor Roll by the College Board, an honor achieved by only 35% of eligible high schools nationwide. These results reflect the intentional work happening at each site and the dedication of our teachers, classified staff, counselors, social workers, and administrators in supporting every student’s success.

Our students continue to shine in academic competitions and career pathways. Highlights include strong performances at Poetry Out Loud, FCCLA competitions, Mock Trial, and the COS Expo. Congratulations to Jayda Freitas, who will represent Tulare County at the State Poetry Out Loud Competition, and to Guillermo Miranda Juarez for earning 1st place in the Tulare and Kings County Migrant Speech and Debate Competition. We are also very proud of Gionna Mclean from Mission Oak, who won the Mock Trial state courtroom artist competition and will now compete at the national level. She is the first student from Tulare County to earn this distinction.

Winter athletics brought tremendous success, with five league titles and twelve teams advancing to the playoffs. All of our teams represented the district exceptionally well in postseason play, with Tulare Western Girls Soccer, Tulare Union Girls Basketball, and Tulare Union Boys Basketball advancing to the section championship games. Tulare Union Boys Basketball captured a section championship and advanced to the regional championship game, while Tulare Union Girls Basketball also had a strong state playoff run. We are especially proud of our wrestlers who advanced to divisionals, section finals, and state competition. Five wrestlers qualified for the CIF Wrestling State Championships in Bakersfield: Nathan Cordova (TU), Noah Soto (TU), Liam Henson (MO), Shawn Price (MO), and Vincent Peyron (MO).

The arts remain a vibrant part of TJUHSD. Productions such as Little Shop of Horrors and Guys and Dolls, along with Dance Dynamix’s Wild Wild West show, showcased the incredible talent of our students. Our music programs also continue to excel through performances and honor band selections. From engaging musical productions to dynamic winter showcases, our students continue to inspire our community through their creativity and talent.

Our agriculture programs continue to thrive, with students excelling in FFA competitions and leadership events. Tulare FFA earned sweepstakes honors at the Reedley College Field Day, highlighted by outstanding performances from the livestock judging, ag mechanics, and small engines teams. Congratulations to Alex Rocha, Madison Dutto, and Juliana Saltzman, who will represent our district at the state level in the Prepared and Impromptu Speaking contests. These experiences provide valuable hands-on learning and help develop the next generation of leaders in agriculture and beyond.

As we recognize our students’ accomplishments, we are equally excited to highlight progress on our construction projects. We finished our lighting project at the Bob Mathias Stadium and Ag complex. We also completed the renovation of the Tulare Western Gym and Aquatics Complex and are currently renovating the Tulare Union Aquatics Complex and Gym. This summer, we will also have various roofing projects throughout the district, and we will be redoing the turf at the Bob Mathias field. TJUHSD remains committed to providing a well-rounded education that prepares students for success in all aspects of life.

As we look ahead to the final weeks of the school year, we look forward to celebrating our students through performances, awards, and graduations. Thank you to our students, staff, families, and community for your continued support as we finish the year strong.

Sincerely,

Lucy Van Scyoc

Dr. Lucy Van Scyoc
TJUHSD Superintendent