SAN JACINTO – At the August 13, 2026, San Jacinto Unified School District Board of Trustees meeting, San Jacinto Leadership Academy (SJLA) celebrated a historic milestone by honoring the eight graduates in the school’s inaugural International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme class who earned an IB Diploma. The graduates successfully completed the rigorous, internationally recognized two-year programme and will continue their academic journeys at an impressive range of universities this fall, including UC Berkeley, UC Riverside, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara and Columbia University.
During the Board meeting, IB Diploma Programme Coordinator Matthew Corum commended the graduates for the perseverance and skills they developed throughout the programme. “You have learned to manage your time, to overcome challenges and adversity, to trust in yourselves and the abilities and characteristics you have developed at SJLA,” Corum said. “These skills have already helped open doors for your next achievements, and we know that these skills will serve you for a lifetime, no matter what paths await you. We here at SJLA are so proud of each and every one of you.”
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a rigorous academic programme designed to develop knowledgeable, open-minded and well-rounded students prepared for success in higher education and beyond. Through challenging coursework and an emphasis on critical thinking, time management, communication and independent learning, IB Diploma students develop skills that prepare them to meet the demands of college and future careers. The IB Diploma is internationally recognized and can provide students with opportunities to pursue higher education at universities around the world.
San Jacinto Leadership Academy, a San Jacinto Unified School District School of Choice, prepares cadets to pursue their educational and career goals while developing into selfless members of their communities. SJLA’s mission is to develop leaders who are open-minded, knowledgeable and principled communicators with a passion to serve their community, country and world. Since its inception in 2011, SJLA has received recognition from organizations and agencies including the Riverside County Office of Education, Campaign for Business and Education Excellence, California Department of Education and U.S. News & World Report. In 2024, SJLA became an International
Baccalaureate World School, offering the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP).
The accomplishments of SJLA’s first IB Diploma graduates represent an important milestone for the school and reflect the dedication of the students, their families and the SJLA staff who supported them throughout the programme. As these graduates begin the next chapter of their educational journeys, San Jacinto Unified School District celebrates their accomplishments and looks forward to seeing the impact they will make in our communities and beyond.
Submitted by the San Jacinto Leadership Academy
