1987- Orange County High School of the Arts (OCHSA) was founded at Los Alamitos High School (LAHS) featuring four arts conservatories. The school started with a student enrollment of 125 9-12th graders and a total operating budget of $190,000.

1988- OCHSA’s Foundation was created.

1990- Enrollment soared to 325.

1991- Expanded its facilities by adding six dance studios, a piano lab and video studio.

1996- Los Alamitos Unified School District (LAUSD) developed plans to build OCHSA its own campus in Los Alamitos as a result of growth in enrollment at LAHS. OCHSA’s enrollment increased to 470 and a total operating budget of $1,300,000.

1999- Los Alamitos City Council blocked construction of OCHSA’s campus. The Santa Ana Mayor & City Staff invited OCHSA to relocate to Santa Ana, assisting the school by providing $2 million in redevelopment funds.

2000- OCHSA opened its doors in Santa Ana, offering unparalleled academic and arts instruction in nine arts conservatories to 800 students in grades 7-12, with a total operating budget of $6,500,000.

2005- OCHSA now offers eleven arts conservatories to more than 1,250 students from 92 cities throughout Southern California. The school runs on a $11 million total operating budget annually, receiving $8 million from the State of California.