Samueli Academy

The mission of Samueli Academy is to provide a transformational learning environment to community, underserved and foster teens that offers consistency, stability, support, and a community in which to belong, thrive, and grow into successful, independent adults. Click here to read about why we changed our name! The idea for Samueli Academy started almost 10 years ago with Susan Samueli and Sandi Jackson, two local philanthropists and members of the board of directors of Orangewood Foundation. Susan and Sandi were concerned about the low high school graduation rates among teens in Orange County, including foster care teens served by Orangewood. They decided to explore new educational opportunities for local high school students and research best practices around the country. They rallied like-minded individuals and organizations from philanthropy, business, education and child advocacy to join their efforts. Of her initial interest Susan says, "I think it's because Sandi and I are both mothers and grandmothers. We know that it's so important for children to do well in high school and to go on to college. We felt that Orange County needed an academy such as this that would give students the kind of care, attention and education they need to succeed in life." Along the way, the influential group identified a number of best practices that have been incorporated into Samueli Academy including: A learning environment that maximizes individual student attention A staff that cares about the "whole" student Work-based learning College Readiness State of the art technology for all students Project-based learning Exciting and fulfilling after-school programs Click here to read more. Samueli Academy offers educationally under-served communities a new choice for the high school education of their teens. Future expansion of the campus will include on-site housing for those students who need a stable living environment in order for them to excel academically. Samueli Academy is governed by a Board of Trustees and led by Anthony Saba. As Head of School, Anthony brings over a decade of high school experience (both in the classroom and in administration) plus a passion for involving students in the learning process. "My teaching philosophy is to allow students to take an active, hands-on role in their learning," he says. "I think it is especially important in the 21st century that we don't just teach students WHAT they need to know, but show them WHY they need to know it. Click here to read more about Anthony. Samueli Academy welcomed our first class of 120 freshmen in August, 2013. Each subsequent year we will add another freshmen class for a total student body of 480 teens. If you are interested in applying to Samueli Academy for your teen, please click here. For employment inquiries, please click here.