Principal's Message

Cerritos High School Community:
 
Greetings, as we embark on another school year (CHS’s 51 st and my ninth!). This year, you’ll have to “pardon our dust” as we undergo several Measure BB upgrades on our campus throughout the year. Our theme for the year, then, will appropriately be “Under Construction”. I fully expect that this will be a year in which we “construct” many great feats in our academics, activities, arts, and athletics programs. At the start of each new school year, I always wonder if it is possible for us to top the accomplishments from the previous year. For instance, last year our Model United Nations (MUN) Team continued to be amongst the top teams in the nation and they took home 42 out of 50 possible awards at last year’s nationals; our Drama students won 23 “Macy’s” Awards and their musical, Mama Mia, was nominated for Best Musical; our Marching Band, Drumline, and Color Guard all qualified for the state finals; our ASB hosted a school record 1000 students; the Cerritos Dance team brought home three State and one National title; our senior class earned over six million dollars in scholarships! Athletically, our Dons won fifteen 605 League titles and earned the coveted 605 League Cup award as the best athletic program in the league; we won three CIF Championships (Badminton, Boys Swimming, and Boys Tennis) and two CIF
Finalists (Girls Basketball and Girls Swimming). All that being said, my fondest moments will always be my daily interactions with the most considerate, helpful, and caring students I have ever encountered.  As I continually boast, Cerritos High School is a special place where kindness and respectfulness permeate the entire campus. It’s something that we’ve identified as The Cerritos Way. I am convinced that we have the best students anywhere!
 
Cerritos High School takes pride in educating the “whole child”.  Beyond our stellar academic reputation (In 2022, GreatSchools.org gave us a perfect 10/10 score and U.S News and World Report ranked CHS 64th out of 3,900 high schools in California), we emphasize the “3 R’s” that form the foundation of The Cerritos Way: CHS students are READY (at school and on time every day), RESPECTFUL (caring, cooperative, and compassionate), and REAL (honest in their personal and academic pursuits). At Cerritos High School, we know that students who commit to our “3 R’s” will assuredly become the best that they can be—academically and socially. 
 
As in previous years, I look forward to supporting our students in the classroom, on the athletic field, and on the stage. That being said, I encourage all of our students to enrich the short time you have here by getting more involved in the many amazing teams, clubs, and organizations we have on campus. Research validates that  "involved” students are more successful academically. Besides, by getting involved, you will empower yourself to make Cerritos High School even better. I look forward to 2022-23 being another great year of exceptional achievements. Because it is…The Cerritos Way!
 
Let’s Go Dons!
Pat Walker
Principal