It is with great pleasure that we officially kick off our 35th anniversary celebration!
For the past 34 years, the Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) has transformed the lives of thousands of student artists from all across Southern California, preparing them to achieve their dreams.
The idea behind OCSA sparked from visionary educator Ralph Opacic, Ed.D, as he pursued his own career in the arts. “I thought it would be great if there were a place where people who were passionate about pursuing a career in the arts had mentors to help them find a path,” Opacic said in a 2017 interview.
OCSA was founded in 1987 at Los Alamitos High School after Opacic transformed a choir program with 30 students into a thriving arts program of 300. As the program continued to expand, it outgrew its original location and reopened its doors in 2000 as a stand-alone public charter school in midtown Santa Ana.
Establishing OCSA was a project fueled by passion and inspiration where many joined the effort, even stretching their personal resources on pure faith that the school and its students would be a huge success. Today OCSA is one of the premier arts schools in the nation and now serves more than 2,300 students in grades seven through 12.
Throughout the many years of change and growth, OCSA has proudly remained dedicated to its mission of providing an unparalleled arts and academic education to a diverse student body passionate about the arts, preparing them to reach their highest potential. OCSA provides a creative, nurturing, and safe environment that gives our next generation a well-rounded, challenging academic and arts education.
“I am so excited to celebrate OCSA’s 35th anniversary and Dr. Opacic’s legacy with all of our students, families, faculty and staff this year. It is going to be big and I am looking forward to all of the amazing experiences that will be unveiled throughout the year,” said Teren Shaffer, OCSA’s new president & CEO.
As we enter our 35th season of dreams-in-the-making, we are asking our wonderful OCSA family – from current students to alumni, and everyone in between – to join us in dreaming big as we celebrate this exciting milestone. The coming school year will be filled with imaginative events and performances, opportunities for sharing stories and connecting with other members of the OCSA community, special-edition anniversary apparel, and so much more. We could not be more thrilled for this chance to reunite, refresh, and reenergize as we embark on this momentous occasion, together and in person once again!
Stay Tuned…The Best is Yet to Come
#OCSA35