OUSD to Host Orange County's First SAT School Day

ORANGE, CA - June 30, 2016 - Orange Unified School District has partnered with College Board to be the first district in Orange County to offer in-school SAT testing to all District high school students. On SAT School Day, students in grades nine through eleven will take the PSAT and twelfth-grade students will take the SAT.

Orange Unified chose to offer this opportunity to students in response to Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) engagement. Parent and student LCAP feedback indicated a desire for additional college readiness tools to prepare students for career and college.  SAT School Day supports student access by providing testing during the school day, free from extra-curricular events, scheduling conflicts and family commitments.  This event allows students to take the test in a familiar environment amongst friends and teachers during their regularly scheduled school day.

“As the principal of a high school with over 2,200 students, I am proud and excited to be able to offer these tests to El Modena students,” stated Principal Dustin Saxton.  “This a bold move by OUSD to close the achievement gap and ensure that all of our students have access to what they need to be successful after high school.”

Sophomores who take the PSAT and earn qualifying scores may benefit from the College Board’s university and college partnerships, as well as scholarship opportunities.  Juniors who receive qualifying scores will also receive scholarship opportunities,  entry into the National Merit Scholarship competition and national recognition.

Additionally, College Board has partnered with Khan Academy to provide free resources to help students prepare for the PSAT and SAT. Students who take either test will receive personalized study resources based on their test results.

“Offering our high school students an opportunity to take the College Board assessment will provide information on their career and college potential,” said Superintendent of Schools Michael Christensen. “As a District of excellence, we seek to ensure equity and access for all students."

Orange Unified's inaugural SAT School Day will take place District-wide on October 19, 2016.