El Monte Union representatives, including staff, students, and Board members celebrate the groundbreaking of the District’s new Rosemead Center Adult Education Complex on April 16.
El Monte Union High School District broke ground on a transformative modernization of its Rosemead Center Adult Education Complex on April 16, marking a major milestone in its ongoing efforts to expand educational opportunities.
The $18 million project—funded by voter-approved Measure HS—will feature a two-story expansion, modern classrooms, upgraded infrastructure, and extensive site improvements to the campus, which houses both the Adult Transition Program (ATP) and El Monte-Rosemead Adult School (EMRAS).
Designed to foster independence, skill-building, and academic achievement, the revitalized complex will serve thousands of adult learners annually in the western San Gabriel Valley, including young adults continuing on alternate pathways to a high school diploma.
“This project is the beginning of taking this program to another level,” said Leonard Martinez, El Monte Union Director of Special Education. “Our staff have worked tirelessly to provide the best for our students, and now they’ll have a facility that reflects that care and commitment. This transformation is possible because of advocacy and belief in the potential of every student.”
The Adult Transition Program serves students ages 18 to 22 through a unique curriculum blending academic instruction with real-world skill development—teaching everything from budgeting and food preparation to maintaining a job or volunteer position. The program recently announced that, for the first time, it will welcome a cohort of students who have earned diplomas at comprehensive high schools while continuing to pursue independent living and vocational goals through ATP.
Just steps away, El Monte-Rosemead Adult School has long been a beacon for learners of all backgrounds. Each year, EMRAS enrolls more than 10,000 students who take classes in English language development, citizenship, high school diploma completion, and vocational training—offered both morning and evening to meet the diverse needs of the community.
“I feel so privileged to be part of this program,” said EMRAS Acting Principal Dr. Deborah Kerr. “Our students come here with dreams and responsibilities, and they leave with skills, confidence, and new possibilities. I’m especially proud to stand beside our ATP colleagues in celebrating this moment.”
Brianna Salas (right), a student in El Monte Union’s Adult Transition Program, smiles alongside her mother Silvia Salas (left) during the Rosemead Center Adult Education Complex groundbreaking on April 16. The project includes a two-story expansion, modern classrooms, upgraded infrastructure, and sitewide improvements.
Special Education Programs Administrator Winetta Belt Vargas acknowledged the longstanding community support that has allowed the ATP to grow into the largest of its kind in the San Gabriel Valley. She also credited the strength of the WorkAbility grant and other workforce partnerships that have enhanced the program’s reputation and impact.
“Our staff are the heart of this program,” Belt Vargas said. “Thanks to their dedication—and the families and students who continue to show up for each other—we’re entering a transformative new chapter. Today is about building something that lasts.”
The groundbreaking ceremony brought together students, families, District leaders, and local dignitaries, who toured displayed renderings and presented certificates of recognition. The celebration closed with tacos and heartfelt conversations about the future.
Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga said the project represents more than construction—it’s a testament to the District’s mission to serve learners at every stage.
“When adults succeed, families thrive and communities grow stronger,” Zuniga said. “This project shows what’s possible when we invest in people and believe in their potential. From our youngest students to our adult learners, and everyone in between—this is what it means to be El Monte Union.”
Aiden Rowe (left), an alumnus of El Monte Union's Adult Transition Program, joins his mother Kristy Rowe (right) to witness the groundbreaking of the District’s new Rosemead Center Adult Education Complex on April 16.
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