AUGUST 2026 | MONTHLY NEWSLETTER | | |
Dear Orange County Community,
As a new school year begins, we are excited about the opportunities ahead for our students and grateful for everything they accomplished this summer.
From internships and career-readiness experiences to entrepreneurship, culinary arts, and hands-on learning, our students spent their summer building skills, confidence, and connections that will help prepare them for their futures.
The successes of this past school year would not have been possible without the generosity, partnership, and commitment of the many individuals, businesses, community partners, corporations, and foundations who supported our students and our mission. We are deeply grateful to each of you. [View our 2025–2026 School Year Supporters]
As students return to school this week, we look forward to welcoming them back, including our incoming freshman class. Together, we will create even more opportunities and impact throughout the 2026–2027 school year.
Thank you for being part of the High School Inc. community.
Sincerely,
Felix Lugo, MSM, CNP
Executive Director
High School Inc. Academies Foundation
| | Five Students Complete Paid Rady Children's Health Internship | | |
Juliette Figueroa • Alicia Sandoval • Carla De Los Angeles • Guadalupe Bravo Huerta • Vanessa Sanchez
We are so proud of you!
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Last month five of our Biomedical Science students from Century High School completed their first paid internship with Radys Children’s Health.
"It has truly been a pleasure getting to know these students and spending time working with them this past week. They have all been so engaged, eager to learn, and excited about the opportunities ahead." - Rady's Children's Health staff
Photo: Our interns celebrating the completion of their internship.
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Summer at the MACC: Learning in Action
The MACC Summer Internship Program concluded in July after an exciting summer of hands-on learning, teamwork, and career exploration. Students participated in Culinary, Entrepreneurship, and Public Health cohorts, where they gained practical experience, strengthened professional skills, and contributed to projects connected to the MACC Farm.
Throughout the summer, interns had opportunities to work alongside their peers, connect with community and industry partners, and apply what they learned through real-world experiences. Students completed the program with new knowledge, greater confidence, and skills they can carry into future education and career opportunities.
The Culinary Cohort also prepared and served breakfast for more than 200 attendees at the AUHSD AIME Summer Internship Program Closing Celebration and Networking Breakfast.
Students supported food preparation, presentation, service, and hospitality while working together in a fast-paced environment. This large-scale event allowed interns to practice their catering skills and experience the planning, communication, and teamwork required to successfully serve a large group.
Their hard work helped create a welcoming and professional experience for students, staff, partners, and guests from across the district.
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From Farm to Table: Culinary Interns Celebrate Their Success
Last month interns gathered with family, friends, partners, and community members for the MACC Summer Internship Closing Celebration and Farm-to-Table Dinner.
As their culminating project, the Culinary Cohort prepared an Asian Harvest-inspired dinner influenced by Blue Zones principles. Blue Zones are communities known for healthy lifestyles and longevity, with a focus on nutritious food, movement, connection, and overall well-being.
Students applied the culinary, teamwork, planning, and hospitality skills they developed throughout the summer to create a memorable dining experience. The evening gave interns an opportunity to share their growth and celebrate their accomplishments with those who supported them throughout the program.
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MACC Entrepreneurs Pitch Sustainable Business Ideas
The MACC Summer Internship Entrepreneurship Cohort spent the summer developing creative business concepts inspired by the sustainability of the MACC Farm and Blue Zones principles.
Students created businesses focused on healthy lifestyles, nutrition, wellness, and community well-being. As part of their culminating experience, interns presented their ideas to representatives from Bank of America, answered questions, and explained the purpose and potential impact of their businesses.
The Bank of America team provided thoughtful feedback, encouragement, and suggestions to help students strengthen their ideas. The experience gave interns an opportunity to practice public speaking, build confidence, and receive real-world input from industry professionals.
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Career Ready: Turning Summer Experience Into a Resume
MACC summer interns also participated in a career-readiness session led by High School Inc.’s own Susan Davidson, Program Manager & Certified Student Career Coach.
During the session, students learned how to identify the skills, responsibilities, and accomplishments gained through their internship and use them to enhance their resumes. Interns reflected on experiences such as teamwork, communication, event preparation, problem-solving, and project completion.
The session helped students better understand how to describe their contributions, recognize the value of their work, and communicate their experience to future employers with greater confidence.
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As we continue to expand our impact, we invite you to be part of this movement. The MACC is always seeking volunteers to help us grow fresh food for our community.
Join us on Fridays for volunteer days and experience firsthand the incredible work happening on our farm.
We hope to see you at our next farm-to-table dinner and in the fields alongside us soon.
Upcoming MACC Farm Events
click here
More information about the
MACC Farm click here
| | MEET THE HIGH SCHOOL INC. TEAM | | |
MEET THE HIGH SCHOOL INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
(CLICK HERE)
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Help Connect Students to Opportunity
As we begin a new school year, High School Inc. continues to expand opportunities for students across the schools and career pathways we support. From our established academies at Valley High School, to our growing pathways at Century High School, to our support of agricultural education at the MACC Farm, industry and community partnerships are an important part of bringing learning beyond the classroom.
We’re looking for professionals, businesses, and community partners who want to get involved.
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Valley High School - CHANGE Academies
We continue to support students across the CHANGE Academies (Culinary, Healthcare, Automotive, New Media, through career exploration, work-based learning, mentorship, guest speakers, internships, and connections with industry professionals.
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Century High School - Growing Career Pathways
High School Inc. continues to expand its presence at Century High School. This school year, we are excited to add the E-Sports Pathway, joining Biomedical Science and E-Business Academy. We are especially looking to continue to connect with more biomedical and healthcare companies, Human Resources professionals, and professionals working in E-Sports and related careers who can engage with our students.
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MACC Farm- Agricultural Education
We also support students and programming at the MACC Farm, helping create hands-on learning experiences and connections to careers in agriculture and related industries. We welcome businesses and professionals who can provide expertise, career exposure, partnerships, or other opportunities for students.
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Can You Help Make a Connection?
Whether you can serve as a guest speaker, host students, provide mentorship, offer an internship, introduce us to an industry partner, or open a door to a new career opportunity, we’d love to connect. Click Here
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Want to learn more about High School Inc.?
Schedule a VIP Tour where you will be able to see how students lives are transformed on a daily basis.
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Photo on right: Guests touring our Healthcare Academy dental facility at Valley High School
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Supporting the
Next Generation
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Partner with
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| Together: Make A Difference | | | |
We are currently seeking business professionals to join our Advisory Boards.
Your insight and expertise would greatly contribute to helping our students connect classroom learning with real-world experiences.
We welcome all business professionals who want to be part of any of our Academy/Pathway Advisory Boards: Culinary & Hospitality, Healthcare, Automotive, New Media, Global Business, Engineering & Computer Science, Biomedical Science, E-Business, and Esports.
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We Love to Celebrate Birthdays!
Please let us know when it's your Birthday.
When you sign up you will automatically be entered for a chance to win cool High School Inc. swag (t-shirts, tote bags, mugs, and more...)
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