ORANGE, CA — June 5, 2026 — A new report from Stanford and Harvard universities brings great news for the Orange Unified School District (OUSD) community: our students are showing exceptional academic growth, with standout achievements in reading.
Analyzing data from the 2022 to 2025 school years, Education Scorecard highlights OUSD's remarkable academic gains. Our scholars are learning at a highly accelerated pace, gaining an average of 1.15 grade levels of skills each year. This rapid progress places Orange Unified in the top 14% of school districts nationwide for student learning rates.
Here is a quick look at what our students have achieved:
- Top-Tier Reading: OUSD ranked higher than 79% of districts nationwide in reading performance.
- Beating the Averages: Our students are performing nearly half a grade level above the national average, significantly outpacing both the California state average and other similar school districts.
- Strong in Math: OUSD also ranked in the top third of districts nationwide (higher than 67%) in math performance.
- Consistent Progress: Overall student test scores have steadily improved every year since 2022.
“We are incredibly proud of our scholars' phenomenal growth, particularly in reading, which is the foundational building block for all future learning,” said OUSD Superintendent of Schools Rachel Monárrez, PhD. “This data validates the strategic focus our Board of Education has placed on early literacy and high-quality instruction. Our educators and staff have worked tirelessly, and we are highly optimistic about the future. We remain committed to building on this powerful momentum so every student has the tools to succeed.”
“This recognition from Stanford and Harvard validates the strategic direction we have set for our district,” added Board President Stephen Glass, EdD. “By prioritizing literacy and ensuring our educators have the resources they need, we are seeing tangible, life-changing results for our students. The Board is incredibly optimistic about OUSD's upward trajectory, and we will continue to work hand-in-hand with our superintendent, teachers, and community to elevate student achievement even further.”
Guided by the Board of Education and district leadership, OUSD is proud to share these incredible outcomes. These achievements are a testament to the hard work of our educators, the resilience of our students, and the ongoing support of our families and community.
For more information about Orange Unified School District’s academic initiatives and ongoing success, please visit www.orangeusd.org. To view the full Stanford Education Data Archive report, please visit https://educationscorecard.org/.