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You are here: Home / Special Issues / Readers' Choice / Reader’s Choice Awards 2021: Education Winners

Reader’s Choice Awards 2021: Education Winners

October 4, 2021 Leave a Comment

Best Faith-Based K-12 School

The Hebrew Academy Orange County 

The private school has been providing education for Orange County students for more than 50 years. Children from preschool through 12th grade engage in general and Judaic studies in a challenging but nurturing environment. The curriculum includes STEAM, project-based learning, cutting-edge technology, art, music and more. The Judaic program involves Hebrew language, Torah lessons and Israel studies. 

hacds.org | Huntington Beach


(Photo Courtesy of Orange County Educational Arts Academy)

Best Bilingual School

Orange County Educational Arts Academy 

The public charter school was founded in 2005 and serves more than 600 students grades TK through eighth. The kids go through a Two Way Bilingual Immersion (TWBI) program and focus on mastering English and Spanish. There’s also dedicated time for arts and technology. 

oceaa.org | Santa Ana


Best Montessori School IvyCrest Montessori Private School
(Photo Courtesy of IvyCrest Montessori Private School)

Best Montessori School

IvyCrest Montessori Private School 

Children attending this private school can expect to be cherished and treated with respect as individuals.  

The staff embodies the Montessori method by customizing the curriculum to kids’ interests and abilities and focusing on all aspects of development. The students participate in STEM education as well as enrichment studies and excursions. 

ivycrest.org | Fullerton


Best Faith-Based Preschool Pierside Preschool - Huntington Beach
(Photo by Kyle Ng)

Best Faith-Based Preschool

Pierside Preschool

Pierside Preschool at First Christian Church has been around for more than 40 years. Aside from providing physical, mental, social and emotional growth, Pierside encourages children’s love of God and teaches them about God’s love for them.  

fcchb.com/pierside | Huntington Beach


(Photo Courtesy of Fairmont Private Schools)

Best Multiple-Campus Private School

Fairmont Private Schools

Fairmont Private Schools is once again at the top of our readers’ list. Fairmont has been providing students in Orange County with a superior education since 1953. The schools focus on individualized learning for preschoolers through high school students and strive to create a nurturing and safe environment at all five of their Orange County campuses. 

fairmontschools.com | Multiple Locations


Best Single-campus Private School Orange Lutheran High School - Orange
(Photo Courtesy of Orange Lutheran High School)

Best Single-Campus Private School

Orange Lutheran High School

Founded in 1973, the private school for students in grades nine through 12 offers a balanced approach to academics while integrating faith into the teachings and activities. The classes are kept smaller than at other schools to give students more personalized attention. According to the school’s website, 97 percent of graduates go on to a university.

lhsoc.org | Orange


Best Private High School Servite
(Photo by Isabel Wiemken)

Best Faith-Based High School

Servite High School

The all-boys, private, Catholic school aims to prepare the next generation of leaders. The academics program has a college preparatory curriculum to improve students’ educational results. Additionally, teachers use techniques that address boy-specific learning styles and do so in small class sizes with a 20-1 student-to-teacher ratio.  

servitehs.org | Anaheim


(Photo Courtesy of San Joaquin Elementary School)

Best Public Elementary School

San Joaquin Elementary School 

San Joaquin Elementary School educators want to see their students become competitive and contributing global citizens. Their innovative methods prepare children for college and career success. They also have a program for gifted students. Fans of the school appreciate the modern approach to learning that their children receive. 

svusd.org | Laguna Hills


(Photo Courtesy of Saddleback Valley Unified School District)

Best South OC School District

Saddleback Valley Unified School District 

Saddleback Valley Unified School District serves TK-12th grade through in-person and remote education. 

The district boasts a Virtual Academy for K-8th grade and at the high school level. Students do most of their work online and at their own pace, but still attend live class instruction. Superintendent of Schools Crystal Turner, Ed.D., stresses a focus on intentional lesson design and engaging strategies, and a commitment to prepare today’s students to succeed in tomorrow’s world. 

svusd.org | Mission Viejo


Best North OC School Disrict Orange Unified School District
(Photo Courtesy of Orange Unified School District)

Best North OC School District

Orange Unified School District

The Orange Unified School District serves about 28,000 students in TK through 12th grade. The district’s core values include equity, integrity, respect and excellence. The teachers and staff aim to provide a safe environment to inspire students to become leaders with a competitive edge.  

orangeusd.org | Orange


Best Special Needs School Prentice School
(Photo Courtesy of Prentice School)

Best Special Needs School

The Prentice School

The Prentice School is still readers’ top choice. The private school offers an environment designed to create an optimal educational experience for students with language-based learning differences such as ADHD, dyslexia and other related challenges. “We know the struggles of learning differences,” says Head of School Devon Green, “and we’re here to guide your student to a new future, showing them that they are exceptional.”

prentice.org | Tustin 


(Photo Courtesy of Oxford Preparatory Academy)

Best Charter School

Oxford Preparatory Academy — South Orange County

Oxford Preparatory Academy strives to create lifelong learners out of their students in TK through eighth grade by emphasizing high academic standards in an inclusive and welcoming environment. Programs include STEAM, music, art, coding and more. The school also has a Spanish and Mandarin language program. 

soc.oxfordpreparatoryacademy.com | Mission Viejo 


Best Virtual Learning School Tustin Connect
(Photo Courtesy of Tustin Connect)

Best Virtual Learning School

Tustin Connect

The tuition-free K-12 public school combines online education with traditional schooling for Orange County students. The school offers families flexibility as students get weekly assignments they can do at their own pace and check in with the teachers on a weekly basis. High school students can participate in extracurricular activities at their neighborhood school.

tustinconnect.org | Tustin 


Best Homeschooling American Academy of Strategic Education
(Photo Courtesy of American Academy of Strategic Education)

Best Homeschooling 

American Academy of Strategic Education 

Families looking for flexible educational options will find it at the academy, which offers core subjects and social activities for TK-12 students. Supervised study time with certified teachers, academic and social clubs and electives, help students become motivated, independent learners. There’s also Spanish and Mandarin immersion programs.

american-academy.org | Mission Viejo and Newport Beach


Best Tutoring Service

Total Tutors 

Total Tutors in Irvine came out on top once again. They have experienced credentialed teachers conduct evaluations before creating an individual path for each student. And tutoring isn’t just available for academic subjects. Programs for music and instruments are offered as well, making Total Tutors the total package for your learner. 

total-tutors.com | Irvine 


Best Special Needs Tutoring Service

Armenta Learning Academy

The academy has been offering alternatives to traditional education since 1989. The individualized and specialized programs cater to pre-K through adult, including special needs and gifted students. The staff is trained to work with students with ADHD, ADD, autism, Asperger’s and more. Small class sizes allow for one-on-one instruction.  

armentalearningacademy.com | Laguna Niguel 


Best Military Tradition School (All Boys) 

St. Catherine’s Academy

The Catholic school with a military tradition tops the ranking once again. The all-boys school with a mix of day and boarding students provides a multi-faceted program promoting structure, discipline and life skills. Students in kindergarten through eighth grade also learn responsibility and self-confidence. The academy has been educating boys since 1889. 

stcatherinesacademy.org | Anaheim 


(Photo Courtesy of Covenant Christian School)

Best Faith-Based Elementary-Jr. High School

Covenant Christian School

Covenant Christian School won again. The school has been providing a nurturing educational environment to Orange County kids since 1985. The Christian-centered curriculum is taught by experienced teachers who give each student individual attention thanks to limited class sizes. The school serves preschool through eighth grade. 

covschool.org | Orange 


Best Faith-Based K-8 School (Editor's Choice) Abiding Savior Lutheran School
(Photo Courtesy of Abiding Savior Lutheran School)

Best Faith-Based K-8 School

Abiding Savior Lutheran

The educators at Abiding Savior Lutheran want to inspire students in preschool and TK-8th grade to become lifelong learners. They also want to help them develop spiritually, socially, mentally, emotionally and physically. The educational environment gives children the opportunity to develop and grow their relationship with God.  

abidingsavior.com | Lake Forest 


By Magda Hernandez, Jessica Peralta and Shawn Price 


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