skip to main content

Pioneer High

Preparing and empowering all students for a future of endless possibilities!
District
Parent Portal
Beamer Park Elementary C.E. Dingle Elementary Cache Creek High Douglass Middle Freeman Elementary Gibson Elementary Lee Middle Pioneer High Plainfield Elementary Ramon S. Tafoya Elementary Rhoda Maxwell Elementary Science and Technology Academy Spring Lake Elementary Whitehead Elementary Woodland Adult Education Woodland High School Woodland Joint Unified Woodland Prairie Elementary Zamora Elementary
or Browse All Schools
QUICK LINKS
https://phs.wjusd.org/About-Us/

About Us

Pioneer's History

Pioneer's History

Pioneer High School (PHS) was established in 2003 as the second comprehensive high school in the Woodland Joint Unified School District. Pioneer is located on the southeast side of the city of Woodland, in Yolo County.  Pioneer opened its doors in 2003-2004 with sophomores and freshmen, in 2004-2005 a new freshmen class was added, and in the 2005-2006 school year PHS had a full complement of four classes. The school celebrated its first commencement exercises in June of 2006. Starting with that first graduating class, Pioneer students have gone on to a wide variety of secondary educational and occupational opportunities. 

 

2024-2025

Principal - Sandra Reese
Vice Principal-Kym Milisci
Vice-Principal - Nick Latteri
Vice-Principal - Stephanie Carlstrom

Full WASC committee review visitation

Yolo County Teacher of the Year: Mary Park

 
 

Spring Musical - Little Shop of Horrors

 

2025 Valedictorian: Jack Cullison

2025 Co-Saluatorian: Fatima Martinez 

2025 Co-Saluatorian: Naomi Tamene 

2023-2024

Principal - Sandra Reese
Vice Principal - Kym Milisci
Vice-Principal - Nick Latteri
Vice Principal-  Lyn Bigelow  

 

Campus hits capacity enrollment

Girls Flag Football added as a sport

Dual Enrollment Classes added to curriculum options

 

2024 Valedictorian Amahirani  Orozco-Ruiz

2024 Saluatorian Karol Martinez Gonzalez

 

Boys Golf 2024 GEL Champions

2022-2023

Principal - Sandra Reese
Vice Principal - Kym Milisci
Vice-Principal - Nick Latteri
Vice Principal-  Lyn Bigelow  

 

School start time adjusted to 8:30 due to change in CA state law 

Wearing masks for COVID-19, recommended but not required

Water Polo added as a PHS sport

Addams Family performed for the Spring Musical 

 
 

Girls Soccer GEL Champions

Girls Basketball GEL Champions

Girls Softball - GEL Co-Champions

 

2023 Valedictorian Tobias Rocha 

2023 Saluatorian Finley Brant 

2021-2022

Principal - Sandra Reese
Vice Principal-Kym Milisci
Vice-Principal - Nick Latteri

Vice Principal-  Shanan Spears 

School year starts under COVID-19 restrictions, but on campus for the regular day schedule.

  • Mandatory face mask for all individuals on campus for all activities - before, during and after school

  • Large scale assemblies, rallies and dances postponed

  • Mandatory isolation at home for any student diagnosed with COVID-19

Parents allowed to petition for a Pass/No Pass grade change for their students for the 2020-2021 school year.

Parents allowed to petition for an extra year of high school for students to complete classes 

Canvas Learning Management system still in place for students placed into isolation for Covid-19 and other medical reasons 

Back To School Night remains virtual

P.O.P. program not restarted due to lack of Assets grant. 

FLEX Academy established at the district level as an online alternative high school program

Mask Mandates lifted on March 12, 2022

The Last Oz Story performed for Spring Musical 

Junior and Senior Proms back in person, but on campus

Girls Varsity Soccer - CIF Sac Joaquin Section Division 4 Champions

2022 Valedictorians - Andreas Olvera and Ayantu Tamene

Salutorians 

 

2020-2021

Interim Principal- Leise Martinez

Principal - Sandra Reese
Vice Principal-Kym Milisci
Vice Principal- Stephanie Carlstrom
Vice-Principal - Nick Latteri

School year starts late due to cancellation of Yolo County Fair and COVID-19 virus

Freshmen Virtual Orientation by Link Crew due to the COVID-19 virus

Fall Semester starts via online Distance Learning due to the COVID-19 virus

Canvas Learning Management system introduced to replace Google Classroom for Distance Learning

"No harm, no fail" grading policy removed for 2020-2021 school year. 

All sports rescheduled for later in the School year due to the COVID-19 virus

Moved to a Distance Learning/Live Class Hybrid model in April 2021

 

Boys Baseball wins GEL league championship

Boys Varsity Soccer wins GEL league championship

Boys Volleyball wins GEL league co-championship

Girls Track and Field Team wins GEL championship

Girls Varsity Volleyball wins GEL league championship

 
 

2021 Valedictorian - Fernanda Tovar Lara

2021 Saluatorian - Lauren Bryson

2019-2020

Principal- Sandra Reese
Vice Principal-Kym Milisci
Vice Principal- Stephanie Carlstrom

Vice-Principal - Nick Latteri

All spring sports cancelled due to the COVID-19 virus

Spring Musical cancelled due to the COVID-19 virus

Temporary :no harm, no fail" grading policy enacted for the Spring semester due to the COVID-19 virus

PHS campus closed in mid-March and transitioned to full distance learning via Google Classroom due to the COVID-19 virus

Class of 2020 graduation ceremony transitioned to a virtual graduation ceremony

2020 Valedictorians Allan Almacen and Tatum Wentworth

2020 Salutatorians Leila Brannan and Celeste Cabacungan

2018-2019

Principal- Sandra Reese
Vice Principal-Kym Milisci
Vice Principal - Lore Carrillo
Vice Principal- Stephanie Carlstrom

WASC accreditation issued for another six years 

Sound of Music performed as the Spring Musical

2019 Valedictorians - Lillianna Hammons and Thai Hoa Nguyen  

2019 salutatorians 

2017-2018

Principal- Sandra Reese
Vice Principal-Kym Milisci
Vice Principal - Paige Powell
Vice Principal- Lore Carrillo

 

Aeries Gradebook program introduced at all school sites

Beauty and the Beast performed as the Spring Musical

 

2018 Valedictorian - Binisha Dahal 

2018 Salutatorians - Olivia Bryant, Carolina Perez

2016-2017

Principal - Sandra Reese
Vice Principal - Kym Milisci
Vice Principal - Paige Powell
Vice Principal - Lurdes Rosales


Link Crew program initiated for incoming 9th graders 
S.T.A.R.R. Patriot program introduced to staff, parents and students
UC Davis Chancellor visits PHS
Tarzan performed as the spring musical
PHS travel club visits Budapest, Vienna, Prague, and Munich

2017 Valedictorian - Kate Rasmussen
2017 Salutatorian - Malika Sen

2015 - 2016

Principal - Sandra Reese
Vice Principal - Kym Milisci
Vice Principal - Paige Powell
Vice Principal - Lurdes Rosales


Senior Lauren Millang elected FFA State Vice President
P.O.P. students paint mural on side of H building
The Addams Family performed as the Spring Musical

PHS hosts oral arguments for the CA Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District
WASC two day committee revisitation


2016 Valedictorian - Eric Palomares
2016 Salutatorians -: Patricia Morales, James Gonzales

2014 - 2015

Principal - Angelina Arias
Vice Principal - Raylene Ewing
Vice Principal - Jerald Ferguson
Vice Principal - Kym Milisci


Pioneer and Woodland Honor Band perform at Carnegie Hall
Pioneer and Woodland Drama departments perform Shrek for Spring Musical
Pioneer Travel Club visits Spain and France
Pioneer Opportunity Program (P.O.P.) opens on campus

2015 Valedictorian - Gwendolyn Hammons
2015 Salutatorian - Hallie Sala

 

2013 - 2014

Principal - Kerry Callahan
Vice Principal - Raylene Ewing
Vice Principal -Jerald Ferguson
Vice Principal - Antonia Slagle


Sophomore Orientation Week (SWAG) added
10th grade teams added
Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary visits FFA program
Music Man performed for Spring Musical
Smarter Balance Exams piloted in 11th grade classes


Girls Softball - Division Three Champions
Boys Baseball - Division Three Champions
Girls Swim Team - TCC Section Champions
Ag Building dedicated to Merritt Family


2014 Valedictorians - Robia Amjad and Jordan Fredrickson

2012-2013

Principal - Kerry Callahan
Vice Principal - Jaime Calderon
Vice Principal - Raylene Ewing
Vice Principal - Antonia Slagle


AP Government students participate in CA Supreme Court Special Outreach Session
Solar Panels installed
Independent Irrigation Water pump installed
Full WASC committee review, receives six year accreditation with a two day midterm visit.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee performed for Spring Musical
Pioneer Travel Club visits Germany, Switzerland, and Italy

Girls Varsity Softball TCC Section Champions
Linda Merrida named Cal - HI Media School State Coach of the Year


2013 Valedictorian - Zachary Patton

2011-2012

Principal - Kerry Callahan
Vice Principal - Carolynne Bottum
Vice Principal - Jaime Calderon
Vice Principal - Britney Meyer


Benchmark Assessment used in Core classes
Beginning of Modified Seven Period Block Schedule
Freshmen Teams created
Freshmen Seminar added as an elective course
Freshmen Orientation week (POW) added
ACES academy created
First "report card chats"
Cinderella performed for Spring Musical
City of Woodland hosts the 4th of July celebration at the PHS stadium
Adrienne Scott named 2012 Woodland Masonic Educator of the Year


Valedictorian: Gladys Garcia-Montoya
Salutatorians: Farah Amjad and Adriana Pedroza

2010-2011

Principal - Kerry Callahan,
Vice Principal - Cliff De Graw
Vice Principal - Geoffrey Barney
Vice Principal - Jas Bains-wright
Vice Principal - Carolynne Bottum


Agriculture Building opens
Congressmen Mike Thompson visits campus and answers questions from Pioneer students
Pioneer Jazz combo performs at UC Davis Mondavi Center with Delfeayo Marsalis
Pioneer Travel Club visits France and Italy
Beauty and the Beast performed for Spring Musical
Lynn Plocher named 2011 Woodland Masonic Educator of the Year


Valedictorian: Victoria Sandsor
Salutatorian: Ian Souza-Cole

2009 - 2010

Principal - Kerry Callahan
Vice Principal - Jas Bains Wright
Vice Principal - Geoffrey Barney
Vice Principal - Cliff De Graw


First Homecoming Parade
Beginning of 4x4 Block bell schedule
Pacing Guides created in Core classes
First Elective Fair
Career Center Closed
The "Play" - PHS v. WHS football game

First "Great Patriot" Race


Valedictorians Brianna Ewing, Jessie Jaeger and Carter Reiff

2008 - 2009

Principal - Mark Roberts
Vice Principal - Ellie Aguilar-Ramirez,
Vice Principal - Cliff De Graw,
Vice Principal - Kerry Callahan


PHS Stadium opens
UC Davis Chicana/o Mural project paints mural for Amphitheater 
Youth Development Network chosen as Pioneer High School student behavior program.
PHS Travel Club visits Ireland, Wales and England
You're A Good Man Charlie Brown performed as Spring Musical


Valedictorian Julia Frankenbach
Salutorian Savannah Reiff

2007 - 2008

 

Principal - Mark Roberts
Vice Principal - Ellie Aguilar-Ramirez
Vice Principal - Cliff De Graw
Vice Principal - Shirley McNichols


Valedictorians Stephen Peyton and Kayla Sheehan
Salutatorian Margarita Orozco

2006 - 2007

Principal - Thomas (Nick) McNicholas
Vice Principal - Armando Olvera
Vice Principal - Ellie Aguilar-Ramirez
Vice Principal - Shirley McNichols


First Club Shopping Cart Parade
First WASC visitation
PHS Travel club visits France, Switzerland, Austria and Germany
Pirates of Penzance performed as Spring Musical


Valedictorian - Catherine McMurry
Salutatorian - Alexandra Reiff
Salutatorian - Enrique Fernandez

2005 - 2006

Principal - Thomas (Nick) McNicholas
Vice Principal - Armando Olvera
Vice Principal - Mariama Smith


12th grade added
Woodland Community Band starts
Guys and Dolls performed for Spring Musical


First Graduating class
Valedictorian - Anna Arons
Salutatorian - Stephanie May

2004 - 2005

Principal - Rick Stout
Interim Principal - Barry Cooper
Vice Principal - Armando Olvera


11th grade added

2003 - 2004

Principal - Rick Stout
Vice Principal - Armando Olvera


Pioneer High School opens with 9th and 10th grades

...
Learn More arrow
...
Learn More arrow
...
Learn More arrow
...
Learn More arrow