Eight Edgewood students earn Cisco IT Essentials certification
By AI, Created 8:06 PM UTC, June 02, 2026, /AGP/ – Eight Edgewood High School students in West Covina earned Cisco IT Essentials Certification this spring through a partnership with Cisco Networking Academy. The credential gives them a workforce-ready credential for entry-level IT jobs and a direct path from high school into a growing tech sector.
Why it matters: - The Cisco IT Essentials Certification gives Edgewood High School students a recognized credential for entry-level information technology jobs. - The certification can support roles including computer support specialist, IT technician, help desk analyst and junior network administrator. - The credential connects high school coursework to college and career pathways in a fast-growing industry.
What happened: - Eight Edgewood High School students earned the Cisco IT Essentials Certification this spring in West Covina, California. - The students passed the certification exam through Edgewood Schools’ partnership with Cisco Networking Academy. - The certified students are Eric Chen, Sebastian H. Garcia, Haziel Huacua, Bear Pasos, Elton Rong, Zachary Tran, Noah Valdivia and Jason Yin.
The details: - Cisco IT Essentials validates foundational knowledge in computer hardware, software, operating systems, troubleshooting and networking. - Edgewood students gained access to advanced technical coursework and hands-on learning typically reserved for college students and workforce professionals. - Many entry-level jobs in the field offer salaries of up to $75,000 annually. - The district tied the achievement to its broader Career Technical Education efforts. - Mr. George Lara, Cisco Networking Academy’s instructor at Edgewood, guided students through the curriculum and certification process.
Between the lines: - The certification shows West Covina Unified is using industry credentials to make high school more directly tied to workforce outcomes. - District leaders framed the program as a way to give students choices in college, careers and beyond. - The result also signals growing demand for practical technology skills as industries continue to digitize.
What’s next: - Edgewood Schools and West Covina Unified plan to keep expanding opportunities that help students earn credentials and gain hands-on experience. - The district says it will continue building Career Technical Education pathways that prepare students for a more digital economy.
The bottom line: - Eight students left high school with a credential that can open doors in both college and the job market.
Disclaimer: This article was produced by AGP Wire with the assistance of artificial intelligence based on original source content and has been refined to improve clarity, structure, and readability. This content is provided on an “as is” basis. While care has been taken in its preparation, it may contain inaccuracies or omissions, and readers should consult the original source and independently verify key information where appropriate. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, investment, or other professional advice.
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