Orchard Hills

Canyon View Elementary School is consistently recognized as one of the top performing schools in Orange County. The staff has collaborated with parents, students and community partners to create and implement a broadly effective educational program that has received both state and national recognition. This school houses students grades K-6.

Hicks Canyon Elementary School offers students the opportunity to participate in GATE, an instructional program specifically designed to meet the unique and diverse educational needs of gifted and talented students. Among other things, Hicks Canyon Elementary School boasts a popular Wednesday after-school program where children can enroll in a range of special and diverse activities from chess to fashion design. Music enthusiasts can participate in the school chorus and an after-school music program is available to fourth graders.

Sierra Vista is ranked among California's top middle schools and offers 7th and 8th graders a dynamic, challenging curriculum with opportunities to participate in art programs, intramural sports and leadership activities. Sierra Vista has a comprehensive science curriculum, a two-year program emphasizing the process of inquiry and experimentation while integrating major themes of energy, evolution, patterns of change, scale and structure, stability, systems and interactions. Teachers deliver science instruction through an activity-based, hands-on approach.

Orchard Hills Middle School has become one of Orange County’s most sought-after schools for students 5^th through 8^th grade. From state-of-the-art facilities to dedicated teachers and administrators who strive to achieve the pinnacle of academic excellence, Orchard Hills School has quickly earned a reputation for the highest levels of learning and individual student growth both intellectually and socially. An emphasis on reading and critical thinking is an integral part of the curriculum and all Orchard Hills students participate in the Accelerated Reader program to improve their reading fluency and comprehension; each student is also provided an iPad as part of the technology bond measure. 

District planning calls for expanding the school to serve kindergarten through eighth grades; until the expansion, Orchard Hills students in kindergarten through fourth grade will attend Hicks Canyon Elementary School.

•  Gold Ribbon School
•  California Distinguished School

Northwood High School embraces a collaborative model in which teachers dissolve the boundaries that traditionally separate classrooms and disciplines and work together to write and refine the curriculum. The physical structure of the school supports this spirit of collaboration. Every four classrooms are joined together by an adjacent student workroom; the student workrooms or "pods" allow teachers and students from different disciplines to open the doors of their classrooms and interact.

One of the most elite high schools in the county, Beckman High School has achieved this impressive distinction by empowering students with the academic, technological and social skills necessary for post secondary success through rigorous study and achievement inside and outside the classroom. Teachers encourage students to participate in academics, athletics, activities and the arts to enrich their high school experience and to nurture a passion for the subjects and activities they love. A challenging curriculum is at the core of the school’s success and Beckman High students have the opportunity to enroll in college-level classes at Irvine Valley College through the Early College Program.  Athletes have the opportunity to participate in an acclaimed sports program that has seen the Patriots set county sports records, qualify for Olympic trials, win league and CIF championships, as well as prestigious state titles. Aspiring musicians and thespians also have the opportunity to express their unique talents.

• #1 high school in Irvine and top 2% of high schools nationwide by US News
• 2015 Gold Ribbon School
• California Distinguished School

Orange County high schools grabbed high rankings this year in the Washington Post’s list of 2,300 high schools it deems “America’s Most Challenging High Schools.”  On a list of only California public and private high schools, 12 Orange County schools cracked the top 100. Arnold O. Beckman High School in Irvine took No. 60 on this list. To view the full story, click here.