Whitley TK-8 School History

Whitley School has been educating students since 2018, starting as a TK-6th grade school. Over time, the school expanded its grade offerings, welcoming 8th graders for the first time in the 2023-2024 school year. The highlight of this milestone was the inaugural 8th Grade Class Graduation, held on May 30, 2024. Today, Whitley School stands as the pride of the Panama Buena Vista Union School District, distinguished as the only TK through 8th grade school within the district. With a thriving enrollment close to 1,200 students, Whitley continues to be recognized for educational excellence.  

 

Our school took its name from Dolores S. Whitley, who is one of the Panama Buena Vista Union School District pioneer educators who served as a Teacher and Principal.  Her teaching career included Chinon, France where she taught Army dependent children on the base in the Loire Valley.  Mrs. Whitley received her Master’s Degree and Administrative Credential from California State Bakersfield.  In 1977, Mrs. Whitley was offered a job teaching fourth grade at Wayne Van Horn Elementary School as a fourth grade teacher.  Mrs. Whitley was appointed the principal of Wayne Van Horn and remained in the position for 8 years.  She opened Christa McAuliffe Elementary school in 1991, a California Distinguished School recipient and was awarded Principal of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators.  She retired in 1999, but quickly came out of retirement and was elected to the Panama Buena Vista Board in 2000 and served until 2016.  Dolores S. Whitley is dedicated to the children of this district and is committed to literacy, love of learning and she challenges us all to reach for the stars everyday!