Orange Unified School District proudly announces that Portola Middle School has been awarded the prestigious California School Boards Association (CSBA) Golden Bell Award for its groundbreaking program, Portola Prep Days: Shaping Future Pathways Through Middle School CTE Exploration.

The Golden Bell Award recognizes outstanding educational programs that promote excellence and innovation in California public schools. Portola Prep Days exemplifies these values by preparing middle school students for success through hands-on, career-connected learning experiences that ignite interest in high school Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways.

Launched in 2022, Portola Prep Days introduces every Portola student to the diverse CTE programs available at their receiving high school, Orange High School. Each themed “Prep Day” brings Orange High’s CTE teachers to Portola Middle School, transforming classrooms into interactive learning labs. Students participate in engaging, real-world activities — from public safety simulations and forensic investigations to hands-on experiences with fire science equipment — that make college and career readiness tangible and exciting.

The impact of Portola Prep Days has been profound. Students describe the events as “a field trip at school,” expressing excitement, curiosity, and a deeper understanding of their own interests. Attendance rates on Prep Days have consistently exceeded the school’s average — a strong indicator of student engagement and enthusiasm for the program.

Now in its third year, Portola Prep Days has become a model for early career exploration and CTE awareness across the district. Other OUSD middle schools — including Yorba, Cerro Villa, Santiago, and McPherson — have begun adapting the Prep Day concept to meet their unique school communities’ needs.

Designed for long-term sustainability, the program operates primarily using existing district resources and staff, with support from OUSD’s Office of Curriculum and Instruction. This structure ensures ongoing implementation while maintaining the program’s innovative and engaging design.

As the only known program of its kind in California, Portola Prep Days demonstrates how middle schools can meaningfully integrate career readiness and CTE awareness before students transition to high school. Portola’s staff and district leaders have shared their model at state and regional education conferences, inspiring other schools and districts to replicate its success.