High School Inc Academies Foundation
OUR STORY
High School Inc. Academies Foundation plays a critical role in ensuring that what students learn in the classroom is meaningfully connected to the real world. Through its unique partnership model with the school district and the business community, facilitated by the local Chamber of Commerce High School Inc. fills the gaps that traditional education systems often cannot.
School districts provide the foundational elements: instructional staff, academic content, facilities, and CTE coursework. These form the backbone of each academy/pathway and small learning community. However, curriculum alone does not fully prepare students for college, careers, or life beyond high school. This is where High School Inc. adds transformative value.
High School Inc. strengthens each academy/pathway by layering in real-world experiences, professional exposure, and career-connected learning opportunities that bring education to life. This includes coordinating industry partnerships, organizing internships and job shadowing experiences, facilitating guest speakers, arranging field trips, supporting competitions, providing mentorship, and helping students earn industry-recognized certifications. These elements ensure that students do not just learn about careers they actively experience them.
The Foundation also supports the Small Learning Community (SLC) model by helping schools personalize learning for cohorts of students. This model enables stronger relationships, collaborative instruction, targeted academic support, and social-emotional development. High School Inc. enhances this structure by providing enrichment, resources, and external partnerships that expand what schools can offer on their own.
At the system level, High School Inc. acts as a catalyst for change. It aligns education with workforce needs by convening educators, employers, and community leaders around a shared goal: preparing students to succeed in a rapidly evolving economy. Through its partnerships, High School Inc. ensures that academy/pathway experiences remain relevant, responsive, and reflective of real labor market demands.
Ultimately, High School Inc. exists to bridge the divide between education and industry. By connecting students to professionals, exposing them to career pathways, and equipping them with both technical and soft skills, the Foundation helps students become achievement-ready before they are college or career-ready. This partnership-driven model leads to higher engagement, stronger academic outcomes, increased graduation rates, more industry certifications, expanded internship opportunities, and clearer postsecondary pathways.
High School Inc. does not replace what schools do, it amplifies it. By filling in the gaps between instruction and application, theory and practice, classroom and career, the Foundation ensures that students graduate not only with knowledge, but with confidence, experience, and purpose.
Mission Statement
To empower youth and strengthen communities through education and business partnerships.
Background Statement
Founded in 2006, High School Inc. Academies Foundation began with a powerful belief: when education and industry work together, students thrive and communities grow stronger. Created through a partnership among Valley High School, Santa Ana Unified School District, and the business community, High School Inc. bridges classroom learning with real-world opportunity.
What began with 90 students at one high school has grown into a career-connected learning model reaching more than 4,000 students annually across Valley High School, Century High School, and Magnolia High School. Our students do not just learn about careers they experience them. Through hands-on instruction, mentorship, internships, industry certifications, and direct engagement with professionals, students develop the knowledge, confidence, and relationships needed to pursue college, technical education, and meaningful careers. At High School Inc., education becomes a pathway to opportunity.
Impact Statement
For nearly two decades, High School Inc. Academies Foundation has helped students turn their interests and potential into meaningful educational and career opportunities. Student participation has grown from 90 students at one campus to more than 4,000 students annually across three high schools.
Our career focused academies maintain strong graduation outcomes while helping students gain industry-recognized skills, certifications, mentorship, and workplace experience. Students graduate better prepared to pursue college, technical education, or employment connected to their goals.
The impact extends beyond individual students. Families see new possibilities for economic mobility, employers gain access to motivated future talent, and communities benefit from a stronger and more prepared workforce. Every investment in High School Inc. helps transform student potential into lasting achievement.
Needs Statement
Orange County employers need qualified workers with technical knowledge, practical experience, and strong professional skills. At the same time, many students in historically under-resourced communities encounter barriers to career exploration, internships, mentorship, professional networks, and other opportunities that can shape their futures.
High School Inc. helps close this gap by bringing career-connected education directly onto high school campuses. Students receive hands-on instruction, workplace experience, industry certifications, mentorship, college and career guidance, and meaningful connections with employers.
Continued investment is essential to expand internships and mentorship, strengthen industry partnerships, update instructional equipment, and provide the services students need to succeed. Supporting High School Inc. means investing in young people today while helping build Orange County’s workforce of tomorrow.
Geographic Areas Served
High School Inc. Academies Foundation serves students in Santa Ana and Anaheim, communities rich in culture, resilience, and potential but historically under-resourced.
1. Valley High School in Santa Ana
2. Century High School in Santa Ana
3. Magnolia High School in Anaheim
These communities are home to students who are often first-generation college aspirants and whose families are working hard to build stability. By bringing career-connected education directly onto school campuses, High School Inc. removes barriers and creates access where it matters most.
When donors invest locally through High School Inc., they are investing in stronger families, a prepared workforce, and a more equitable Orange County.
Top Three Populations Served
- Homeless Individuals
- Households with limited English proficiency
- Latinos
Statement from the CEO/Executive Director
At High School Inc. Academies Foundation, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to discover their strengths, explore meaningful careers, and build a future filled with possibility.
Through partnerships among education, industry, and the community, we connect students with hands-on learning, mentorship, internships, college and career guidance, and professionals who help them see what is possible. These experiences build confidence, strengthen skills, and empower students to make informed decisions about their education and future careers.
This work is especially important as many students and families face rising costs and limited access to professional networks and enrichment opportunities. With the support of our donors, partners, and community, we can meet students where they are and provide the resources and relationships they need to thrive.
Thank you for believing in our students and investing in their potential. Together, we are creating brighter futures for young people, stronger families, and a more prepared workforce for Orange County.
Felix Lugo, MSM, CNP
Executive Director
CONTACT
High School Inc Academies Foundation
18017 Sky Park Circle
Suite N
Irvine, CA 92614
Felix Lugo
Phone: 914.563.3653