Weekly roundup: Fullerton scholar earns ride to Yale, the California School Dashboard, mentors in Tustin and more

Yale UniversityHe’s a bookworm, an athlete and certainly a role model for his brothers and sister. And now he’s on his way to the Ivy League.

The Orange County Register featured an uplifting story this week about a determined Fullerton Union High School senior who received an acceptance letter from Yale, along with a four-year scholarship from the QuestBridge program. QuestBridge is a nonprofit that partners with elite universities to assist high-performing students, particularly those who might otherwise be deterred by high tuition costs.

Here are some other stories that caught our attention:

  • The California School Dashboard is ready to make its debut in March. The new accountability and improvement tool will feature an array of data to help parents, educators and the public evaluate the strengths and challenges of their local schools and districts.
  • Students at Tustin’s Hillview High School embraced their roles as mentors while leading kids with special needs through activities at the third annual Hawk Games.
  • Alex Willert, the first-year choir director at Brea Olinda High School, has some big shoes to fill. He’s taken over for his father, Dave, who is credited with the success of the United Choirs of Brea program.