Monrovia High wins Gold Medal status from College Board

Monrovia High School has been awarded Gold Medal Status overall with Platinum Status in College Optimization, earning it a place on the College Board's Advanced Placement School Honor Roll for the 2024-25 school year.

At Monrovia High 70 percent of seniors took at least one AP Exam during high school, 44 percent scoring a three or higher (5 being the highest score) on at least one AP Exam. Nineteen percent of seniors took five or more AP Exams.

For 2025-26 the school offered 17 AP courses of study with 42 AP classes, with 16 teachers teaching AP.

Breakdown by Department:

Social Science
Thirteen classes in: European history, US history, psychology, human geography, comparative government.

English
Seven classes in English Literature and English Language.

Math
Seven classes in Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Statistics, Physics 1.

Science
Nine classes in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science. 

World Language
Five classes in Spanish Literature, Spanish Language, French Language.

- Brad Haugaard

A Moment in Monrovia History: Mary Jane Monroe, wife of Monrovia's founder

Studio picture of Mary Jane Monroe, wife of Monrovia founder William Newton Monroe, taken in 1884, when they settled in Monrovia and built their cottage. From the Monrovia Historical Museum collection. See full details here.

For more historic photos and papers, see the Monrovia Historical Society’s complete Legacy Project collection here. Learn more about the Monrovia Historical Society here.

- Brad Haugaard

Lunar New Year celebration at Library, Jan. 31

Celebrate Lunar New Year on Jan. 31 at the Library. Lion Dance at noon by Field Elementary team in front of the Library. Crafts from 1 to 3 p.m. in Youth Services (while supplies last). Guqin Chinese instrument demonstration at 1:30 in the lobby. Families welcome. Designed for children with accompanying adults. No drop-offs. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

One City One Story kickoff at Library fountain, Jan. 24

Kickoff for One City One Story on Jan. 24, 1 to 3 p.m., at Library Park fountain. Community invited to read The Bear by Andrew Krivak. Activities include crafts, raffles, read-ins, and workshops. Companion books available for kids while supplies last. All ages welcome. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Council to consider how to implement pay raises

At its next meeting (agenda here), Monrovia City Council members will consider how to give themselves a raise. The options are a cost-of-living increase based on the Consumer Price Index, most recently at 3.2 percent, or a 5 percent per year increase, which would make their compensation increase at the same rate as other city employees. The staff report estimates council members spend 20 to 30 hours a week (80 to 120 a month) on city business and currently make $1,275 per month. The pay changes would take effect at the beginning of new council terms. Details. 

- Brad Haugaard

Low-fee dogs at Pasadena Humane Jan. 16-25

Pasadena Humane is offering $26 dog adoptions for animals 6 months and older during its “Dog Days of Winter” promotion, Jan. 16–25. The program includes spay/neuter, microchipping, vaccinations, a wellness exam, and pet care info. Standard adoption procedures apply. Details here. 

- Brad Haugaard

First Lutheran Church celebrates 100th birthday

Monrovia's First Lutheran Church, at 1323 S. Magnolia, will celebrate its 100th anniversary with a special service and reception on Sunday, Jan 18. The service begins at 9 a.m., followed by a 10:30 reception. RSVP by calling 357-3543 or emailing firstlutheranchurch@outlook.com.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia wins top energy efficiency award

Monrovia has been named a 2024–2025 Energy Champion by the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments. The city received the highest honor—Champion Tier—for its efforts to reduce energy use. The Energy Champion Award recognizes public agencies committed to sustainability and energy efficiency. 

- Brad Haugaard

Nominations open for Older Monrovian of the Year

 Nominations are open for the 2025 Older Monrovian of the Year Award. Residents may nominate individuals 60 or older who have shown exceptional service and community involvement. Submit nominations to Lauren Pagliotti at the Community Center or email her at lpagliotti@monroviaca.gov by Thursday, Jan. 29.

- Brad Haugaard

Valentine's Day carriage rides from Library Park Feb. 14

Romantic horse-drawn carriage rides along Myrtle on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14 from 4 to 9 p.m., departing from Library Park. Tickets are $40 per ride and go on sale Tuesday, Jan. 20. Call 256-8246 to reserve a spot.

- Brad Haugaard

Free computer equipment to Monrovia organizations

The city is offering surplus computer equipment—including 62 desktop PCs, 15 printers, 73 monitors, and a server—to local organizations. First come, first served. Email pio@monroviaca.gov to schedule a January viewing. See equipment here.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia advocate Gayle Montgomery has died

Longtime Monrovia resident and community advocate, Gayle Montgomery, has died. Montgomery was known for her involvement with city affairs and for moderating a Facebook group dedicated to Monrovia. Her family has created a GoFundMe to help with funeral expenses, here. 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Satoru Tsuneishi Park is now open

Monrovia's newest park, Satoru Tsuneishi Park, is now open. It is just south of the Chick-fil-A on Huntington Drive. Features include salvaged boulders and plantings from Canyon Park, a haiku obelisk donated by Monterey Park, and a living plant cutting from Tsuneishi’s native Kochi, Japan.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Upton Sinclair House for sale

The historic Sinclair House, once occupied by Upton Sinclair, is for sale at 464 N. Myrtle Avenue. Designed in the Spanish Colonial Revival style by architect Frederick H. Wallis and completed in 1923, the eight-room, reinforced-concrete residence was originally built for civic leader Louis B. Vollmer. 

Sinclair and his second wife, Mary Craig Sinclair, purchased the property in 1942, seeking a quieter setting for his writing after years in Pasadena. During his time in the city, Sinclair produced work following the success of his book, The Jungle, and was active in political and social causes. The couple lived in the house until the mid-1960s. 

The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark.  Listed for $1,999,000 by The Berns Team, Keller Wiliams Pasadena. Here.

(Historic research by Tim Gregory; photo by Erik Grammer.)

- Brad Haugaard

Coming Up in Monrovia

Coming Up in Monrovia

Teen Game Hangout at the Library on Jan. 16

Low-fee dogs at Pasadena Humane Jan. 16-25

Vocal lesson for adults and teens at Library Jan. 17

Two garden workshops planned for Jan. 17 and 22

First Lutheran Church celebrates 100th birthday Jan. 18

Yarn and Fabric Hangout at the Library on Jan. 20

Volunteers wanted for homeless count, Jan. 21

Job fair at Monrovia Community Adult School Jan. 22

Jewish Federation plans holocaust remembrance event for Jan. 24-25

Valentine's Day carriage rides from Library Park Feb. 14

- Brad Haugaard