CHANGE Academy Concept
Culinary Arts & Hospitality
Automotive, Transportation & Logistics
It's simple! These two things go hand and hand allowing for a synergy unlike no other.
high school students for the workforce of tomorrow and equip them to be lifelong learners, future leaders who positively impact the world
businesses with a future workforce equipped to increase productivity and profitability, stimulate job growth, and renewed sense of pride for communities.
Watch + Learn
Click to Learn More About High School Inc. Academies Foundation
Rockstar Collaboration
A Unique Partnership joined forces in 2006 when members of the community had a vision to be a catalyst for social and economic change in Orange County. Those key founding partners included the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce and Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD). In 2012, High School Inc. Academies Foundation was developed to support the unique partnership. United together this Rockstar Collaboration is re-imagining education and creating the "CHANGE" to prepare our students for college, career, and life success.
Over the last decade
Over the last decade this dynamic combination of forces started with just 90 students and now serves over 1500 future workforce individuals! Through HSI Academies Foundation's support of the C-H-A-N-G-E academies, students are graduating high school at a HIGHER RATE, with this past year being a 96% graduation rate!
A Passionate Leader focused on celebrating students
Mary Tran, High School Inc. Academies Foundation's first ever Executive Director, was brought on board in December 2017. A product of SAUSD, Mary Tran has dedicated her professional career to serving the youth in her community. With more than eleven years of nonprofit experience, particularly in the area of education, she is well versed in many project-based and work-based educational program models that have been delivered at the regional and national level.
Mary worked in the fast-paced corporate environment, including residential and commercial mortgage industries.
Mary plays an active role in the community and has served on committees such as Children's Bureau, No Kid Hungry, and the Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center.
She holds Bachelor Degrees in both Family Life Education and Child Development from California State University Long Beach.
Lead the Movement
Leading the movement and momentum of the organization, is no other than a group of talented and dedicated rockstars that have devoted their time and expertise, as well as sharing their passion for bridging the gap here in Orange County. Our all-star lineup includes:
Donnie Crevier
Crevier Classic Cars
Mark McLoughlin
J. Crain Corporation
Paula Garcia-Arsenault
Habitat for Humanity of Orange County
Jack E. Oakes
Maximum Impact Education
Cory Youngberg
Hall & Company Tax, Financial & Management Consulting
Matt Bays, Adaptive Shelters, LLC
Peter Dorsch, KPC Health
Dave Elliott, Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce
Brie Griset Smith, Discovery Cube Orange County
Greg Jason, Amusement Park Inc.
Daniel Lee, PeopleSpace
Ramiro Ochoa, Westport Properties, Inc.
Richard E. Porras, AT&T External Affairs
Mavel Ramos, Wells Fargo Bank
Rigo Rodriguez, Ph.D., SAUSD Board of Education
Larry Tenebaum, Smart Circle International, LLC
Shanshan Xia, Hall & Company Tax, Financial & Management Consulting Services
Investing in the Future Workforce
We'd like to sincerely say thank you to our incredible High School Inc. Academies Foundation business partners! We value each and every partnership, as it further supports the HSI mission to empower youth and strengthen communities through education and business partnerships:
High School, Inc. Update and Response on COVID-19
High School Inc. Update – Flourishing Towards A New Norm
In today's climate of economic uncertainty and social unrest, the need is stronger than ever to ensure the vulnerable high school youth we serve have full access to our career education, guidance and support to achieve a brighter future.
While our primary goal is to keep our students active in their learning, we recognize that this will become increasingly difficult as more and more of our students and their families face tremendous hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This global crisis has pivoted our attention to the most basic and foundational support needed to enable our students to stay focused on their studies. We wanted to take a moment to celebrate our key partners and community leaders who acted immediately to support our Family Emergency Fund to help ensure our students stay in school during this difficult time. Together, we were able to support over 1,000 family members impacted by COVID-19.
Our ability to meet these students where they are during these uncertain times would not be possible without support from our community partners. As we reflect on the accomplishments and our ability to stay responsive to our students' evolving needs in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are filled with gratitude. Like many the last few months have felt strangely different and things may never return to how they were, but a "New Normal" will emerge with a new profound opportunity to bring ideas and creativity to support our students.
In the months that have followed HSI has continued to engage students in learning opportunities and are able to shift and develop a variety of college and career readiness virtual programs and we look forward as we gear up for the upcoming year.
Check out our virtual model here.
As we move into the Fall season and the beginning of a new school year, although there is much that is still unknown, the power of community is our greatest strength. We anticipate many difficult choices. The devastation of the current COVID-19 pandemic is prompting a heightened urgency for strong leadership, collaboration, and faith. HSI staff will continue to work remotely as SAUSD moves completely online for the Fall semester and will be available during normal working hours to support our students. We welcome you to contact us directly by email or by phone.
We are in a unique place to take this challenge as an opportunity to continue to rethink and reimagine education to prepare our students for college, career, and ultimately life. Our students will need your support more than ever. As a valued partner, please join me to bring hope and be a part of our student's future.
Mary Tran
Academies:
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