Message from Orange Unified

Upcoming Events

• Nov. 24-28: All Schools Closed
• Dec. 4: Early Learning Registration-Informational Meeting
• Dec. 15: Board of Education Meeting

As we enter the season of gratitude, I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to our scholars, families, and staff across Orange Unified. Each day, I am inspired by the kindness, collaboration, and spirit of care that define our school communities.

This fall has been filled with meaningful learning, joyful moments, and continued growth. I am grateful for the trust you place in our schools and for the partnership we share in supporting every student’s success. Our district is stronger because of the dedication of our families and the unwavering commitment of our educators and staff.

As we head into the break, I hope you find time to relax, connect with loved ones, and recharge. Please know how deeply thankful I am to serve this community and how excited I am for the meaningful work ahead.

Wishing you and your family a safe, restful, and joyful break doing what fills you with happiness and love.

With gratitude,
Rachel H. Monárrez, PhD
Superintendent of Schools
Orange Unified School District

Your Voice Matters!

At Orange Unified School District, we are dedicated to partnering with parents and families to ensure every student's success. We value your input and invite you to take just a few moments to complete our LCAP survey. Your feedback will help shape the future by letting us know what’s most important to your family. Together, we can make a difference!

Click here for OUSD LCAP Survey

Orange Unified School District and Ameresco, Inc., a leading energy solutions provider, are celebrating the completion of new rooftop and carport solar installations across seven OUSD campuses. Over the next 25 years, these systems are projected to generate $6.3 million in cost savings, supporting the district’s long-term sustainability and financial goals.

The project includes solar photovoltaic systems installed at four elementary schools, one middle school, and two high schools. Through a power purchase agreement, Ameresco will own and maintain the systems while OUSD purchases the solar-generated electricity at a fixed rate for 25 years. This stable rate protects the district from energy price fluctuations and ensures predictable, long-term savings. Five of the seven installations are already complete, and the remaining two high school systems are scheduled to be fully energized by the end of 2025.

For more information, please visit https://www.orangeusd.org/about-us/news/release-article/~board/2025-ousd-news/post/ousd-celebrates-major-milestone-in-solar-energy-partnership-with-ameresco

Orange Unified School District (OUSD) proudly announces exceptional performance results on the 2025 California School Dashboard, as released by the California Department of Education. These gains highlight the dedication of OUSD students, staff, and families, as well as the district’s continued commitment to providing high-quality educational opportunities for all learners.

Key Results from the 2025 Dashboard:

Graduation Rate:
OUSD’s graduation rate reached 97.2%, a 2.6% increase from the previous year, and among the highest in the region.

College & Career Readiness:
58.8% of graduates are classified as “Prepared,” reflecting a 4.5% increase and OUSD’s commitment to supporting multiple pathways for postsecondary success.

Academic Performance:
Students scored 14.3 points above the state standard in English Language Arts (up 5.2 points from last year). Mathematics results were maintained, with significant gains for students who are English Learners and Students with Disabilities.

School Climate & Engagement:
Chronic absenteeism declined by 2.2%, and the district’s suspension rate fell to just 1%. The district continues to meet or exceed state standards for school climate, academic standards, and family engagement.

“We are tremendously proud of our students, staff, and families for these results," said Superintendent Rachel H. Monárrez, PhD. "They represent the shared commitment, collaboration, and hard work of the entire OUSD community. Every member of our district plays a role in ensuring that students are equipped for lifelong success."

Read more at https://www.orangeusd.org/about-us/news/release-article/~board/2025-ousd-news/post/ousd-students-show-strong-performance-on-2025-california-school-dashboard

We are excited to celebrate the accomplishments of one of our talented student artists, Nirvana Azari, a 12th grader at Canyon High School, whose colored pencil artwork has been selected for multiple prestigious exhibitions this year.

Nirvana’s piece, Canine Rebel, was first showcased in May at the OCArts4All Student Art Showcase at Crystal Court. It then spent the summer on display at the Laguna Festival of the Arts Student Exhibition. Her artwork has now made its final stop at the Kalmus Art Showcase in the Orange County Department of Education boardroom, where it was featured during a concluding exhibition and reception.

This series of recognitions is a testament to Nirvana’s exceptional creativity, dedication, and artistic talent. We are proud to celebrate her achievements.

Please join our upcoming Listening & Learning Tour to hear from Dr. Monárrez and share your thoughts on:

•The strengths of OUSD

•The opportunities for improvement in OUSD

•The priorities for OUSD

Each session will have English/Spanish interpretation available as well as free child care for grades TK-6.

Let’s learn from one another and shape the future of our district together.

• Dec. 1, 5 PM: El Modena Cafeteria

• The strengths of OUSD: https://tejoin.com/scroll/428352503
• The opportunities for improvement in OUSD: https://tejoin.com/scroll/362496151
• The priorities for Dr. Monárrez: https://tejoin.com/scroll/151079974

Are you interested in a profession that makes a positive impact on the community? If so, please visit our website at www.orangeusd.org/jobs to view a vast array of employment opportunities that span from entry-level to upper management, classified and certificated. Join the Orange Unified family and Inspire our learners of today to be purposeful leaders of tomorrow.

Email: communications@orangeusd.org
Website: www.orangeusd.org
Location: 1401 North Handy Street, Orange, CA, USA
Phone: 714-628-4000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OrangeUnifiedSchoolDistrictCA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orangeusd
Twitter: @orangeunifiedCA

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OUSD

We invite you to take a moment to follow Orange Unified on social media to receive the District’s latest news and announcements. Social media may also be a critical line of communication during emergencies and will be an excellent place for you to get up to date information.