“Move Foward.”
That’s the slogan recently adopted by OCDE’s College and Career Preparatory Academy, which was founded nearly three years with a critical mission — to give young adults a path to a high school diploma, along with career planning and workforce preparation.
Offering a blend of online courses, independent study and small-group instruction, the free public charter school features a customizable program to support students aged 18 to 25, including those who have jobs and children at home.
“The ultimate goal is to get a high school diploma,” Principal Dave Connor says, “but I’m very proud to say that over half of our graduates end up going on to community college for their AA or into a (career technical education) program.”
It’s one thing to talk about how CCPA fills a niche in Orange County by serving students who have aged out of traditional secondary schools but still need to complete their graduation requirements. But it’s something else entirely to see the impact the program has on students and their families.
The above video, filmed by our Media Services team, captures some of the emotions from the school’s June 23 graduation ceremony, which served not just as an end-point of diverse educational journeys, but also as a celebration of fresh starts and bright futures.
To learn more about the College and Career Preparatory Academy, or to enroll, visit www.ocde.us/CCPA.