The Orange Unified Public Schools Foundation (OUPSF) hosted the second annual Celebration of Schools on October 15, 2025, at Villa Park High School.
This year’s event, themed “Pathways to Possibilities,” highlights the exceptional educational programs, resources and achievements across all levels of learning within the Orange Unified School District.
Orange Unified Public Schools Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing families, businesses and schools together to elevate the educational experience of every student in the district. OUPSF relies on donations to fund key initiatives and create conditions for academic excellence and long-term success.
In its three years of existence, the OUPSF has provided $50,000 to sports programs and $200,000 to teachers and schools. The program’s current key initiatives are school and teacher grants, community-wide visual and performing arts, wellness resources and sports programs.
“OUSD has 25,469 students in 41 schools in five cities,” says OUPSF President Frank Tucker. “But we are one community.”
There are 24 Career Technical Pathways with more than 1,000 students completing a Pathway in the past two years. The pathways begin in middle school and provide hands-on learning in high-demand industries.
“Every child follows a unique journey, and OUSD is dedicated to opening doors that match their passions, talents and goals,” says new Superintendent of Schools Dr. Rachel H. Monárrez.
Some examples of Career Technical Pathways include arts, media and entertainment; building and construction trades; business and finance; education; child development and family services; engineering and architecture; health science; marketing; hospitality and public services. Different pathways are offered at different schools.
At the annual “Celebration of Schools” event, classrooms become showcases for the programs where attendees can speak with students.
In the Medical Pathway classroom, Patient Care Teacher Christi Porter displayed an Anatomage—a digital anatomy table—used in health care classes.
“All four high schools have one in the Patient Care Pathway and for medical classes,” says Porter. “Students learn about body parts, organs and bones. They do labs. It’s very hands-on.”
Tamarra Cox is a teacher in the Project Lead the Way Program, which offers hands-on STEM learning, from elementary through high school, in engineering, computer science and biomedical science.
“It transformed how I teach because it not only gives the student content, but it teaches them life skills,” says Cox, who has taught science for the last 25 years. “Before it was lecture based with some activity. Where this is different is the students start off with a story line, such as the forensics science story line. For instance, a person is found dead, and the students come in and learn the skills they need to be able to divide off a crime scene, collect and analyze the evidence. They look at blood tests, DNA and fingerprints and determine the cause of death.”
Each of the four high schools also have their own unique specialty programs. Canyon has an aviation program, El Modena’s is culinary, Villa Park has a graphic design/printing specialty and Orange High has an agricultural and natural resources program.
“At the event, which is open to the public, throughout the campus, students from elementary, middle and high school showcase a specialty program they participate in,” notes Tucker. “Dinner is catered by El Modena’s culinary program, where guests enjoy presentations, as well as student performances, including this year from the Fletcher Mandarin Language GATE Academy.”
Tucker notes the Foundation can use more volunteers. Those interested can find out how at OUPSF.org
“We have one clear goal,” says Tucker. “The OUSD graduate profile is integrity, equity, respect and excellence. We want all OUSD students to walk in those qualities when they graduate.”
