It is with sincere gratitude that I thank every one in our beautiful Los Altos High School community for another wonderful school year.
As we reflect on the end of another school year and say goodbye to the class of 2026, I find myself thinking about a secret of education: when we are doing it right, we are learning just as much from our students as they are from us. This year, our students provided a masterclass in growth, resilience, and community.
They have shown us that growth is not just an individual pursuit, but a collective one. They moved us with their deep commitment to positive change and their desire to build a true sense of belonging at Los Altos High. They challenged us to think differently about student leadership. Whether advocating for campus initiatives, supporting classmates, or creating spaces where more students felt welcome, they consistently reminded us that belonging is something we build together. Tthey have redefined what it means to be a Los Altos Eagle through their collaboration and empathy.
I’d like to highlight just a few of their remarkable achievements:
Athletic Excellence: Our student-athletes competed at the highest levels. Highlights include the Girls Tennis team capturing the CIF State Championship, the Gymnastics team claiming the Central Coast Section title, and senior Daniella Hughes earning the State Championship in the Triple Jump. Furthermore, 39 of our graduates were four-year varsity athletes.
Academic Distinctions: Our seniors demonstrated incredible academic mastery:
- 362 seniors (two-thirds of the class) received the California State Golden Seal.
- 298 seniors were recognized as Biliterate in English and one or more other languages.
- 287 seniors received AP Scholar awards.
- 40 students earned National Merit Scholar commendations.
- We celebrated 55 valedictorians with a 4.0 GPA and 128 graduates earning a weighted GPA of 4.5 or higher.
Perseverance and Dedication: We are proud of the 24 students who joined our community as freshmen or sophomores from countries including Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, China, the Philippines, Ukraine, Japan, Russia, and Azerbaijan, meeting high school graduation requirements while mastering English along the way.
We are better for having known this class. Their dedication, empathy, and legacy will leave a lasting impact on our campus. We offer them our deep gratitude and our highest hopes as they continue to teach the world, just as they have taught us.
-Tracey Runeare, Principal
