1539 E. Howard St.

[Speer Hall 2nd floor]

Pasadena, CA 91104

Call : (310) 898.5188

MissionTo develop young leaders who can transform

our world through dynamic change

VisionTo create prosperity for all communities

by developing innovative leadership.

Philosophy and BeliefsThe central intent of the experience at Orion International

Academy is to prepare students for college and create global leaders who will lead ethical corporations. This process entails

gaining mastery and command in the traditional academic disciplines, while gaining skills to excel in today’s competitive

institutions of higher education

School History

Orion International Academy was opened in Pasadena, California in 2013 and was founded by Vielka McFarlane, founder of Celerity Schools.

The central intent of the experience at Orion International Academy is to prepare students for college.

This process entails gaining mastery and command in the traditional academic disciplines, while gaining skills to excel in today’s competitive institutions of higher education.

Principal’s Message

“The teachers and support staff at Orion are readyto provide all students with instruction that willcreate the foundation for them to be successful intheir future academic encounters. We are veryproud of our direct and computer instructionalprograms, our safe, positive high schoolenvironment, and the excellent progress, thus far,demonstrated by our students. Our talentedfaculty has high expectations for all students.These expectations for excellence in performanceand classroom behavior can be realized through aunited effort on the part of students, the schoolfaculty, and most importantly parents.”

Mr. Geoff DoutePrincipal

ESLRsExpected School-Wide Learning Results…

Our learning outcomes when students leave Orion:

• Become technologically literate, honing their ability to use 21st centurytools effectively in research and presentation of knowledge

• Engage sophisticated, complex coursework as a preparation for thefuture, wrestling with questions of high complexity

• Integrate thinking from each of their classes, learning to applyknowledge mastered in one field to enhance learning in another

• Practice academic collaboration with teachers, with the expectationthat this will be a continued and important part of their collegeexperience

• Navigate a robust collection of course offerings, learning to discerntheir personal academic interests and choose a relevant path

Graduation Requirement (A-G Courses)

A. History/Social Science (4 years required)B. English (4 years required)C. Mathematics (3 years required; 4 years recommended)D. Laboratory Science (3 years required; 4 years recommended)E. Foreign Language (3 years required; 4 years recommended)*F. Visual/Performing Arts (4 years required)*G. Electives (1 year required in addition to F)

* Foreign Language and Visual Arts are taught through online courses provided by National University Virtual High School

Graduation Requirement (Other Courses)

• Physical Education/Health (3 years required)• Workshop/Community Service (4 years required)

o In addition to the 4 years required, the students are responsible for completing 15 hours of community service each school year.

Visual/Performing Arts

The visual/performing arts are an integral part of Orion’s culture. Every semester, the students prepare for a musical production that includes acting, singing, and dancing.

The students meet three times a week with highly skilled creative arts consultants, who train the students in theory and practice.

College Forward

Another integral part of Orion’s culture is its emphasis on preparing students for attending highly-ranked universities.

Orion addresses this emphasis in a variety of ways:• Designated time in the schedule for PSAT/SAT preparation• Weekly college counseling with all students• University themes embedded in school environment• Frequent tours of local universities (e.g. CalTech, UCLA, USC,

UCI, Harvey Mudd, CalPoly Pomona)

Accreditation

Western Association of Schools and Colleges • 2013-2014 School Year

College Board Level II School• Allows our school the ability to administer: PLAN,

PSAT/NMSQT, and AP exams

University of California Doorways Course Approval• All courses taught at Orion are approved for the UC A-G

graduation requirements

What We Do

Student Life

Technology

Rigor

Global/Community Action

Student Life

• Proactive involvement in finding communal and institutional solutions to student life issues

• Fitness training and coaching• University visitations• Facilitation of research in regards to off campus sports and

leisure activities• Parent professional development workshops• Music theater component• Development of leadership and time management skills• Development of student clubs and organizations

Student Clubs and Organizations

• Model United Nations – Students meet bi-weekly applying the concepts of international political science as they role play delegates to the United Nations.

• Engineering Club – Students meet weekly to learn the engineering design process and engage in practical applications of certain scientific concepts.

• Robotics Club – Students meet weekly to learn about robotic design and create simple robotic machines.

Technology

Rigor

• Focus on engaging instruction with strong steady pace• Online class facilitation• Collaborative learning• UC approval for all classes taught• High standards and expectations• College Forward• 1-on-1 academic intervention and counseling• Preparation for AP, PSAT, and SAT

Global/Community Action

• Hands-on instruction with an emphasis on humanitarian thought and theory

• School sponsored field trips• Model United Nations• Continental and local community case studies• International student involvement• 15 hours of community service• Working with local and international charities• End of year humanitarian fair

Admissions Process

• Step 1: Make sure you keep your grades at a 3.0 and you come to school everyday!

• Step 2: Fill out a student application and get your (3) academic and character recommendations.

Enrollment deadline: Nov. 1st to end of

February

• Step 3: Take your Orion International Academy entrance exam

• Step 4: Set up you student interview, family meeting, and portfolio review.

• Step 5: Our administrator evaluation• Step 6: "Welcome to the Orion family!!!"

Orion Learning Community

Mr. Geoff DoutePrincipal, Dept. Chair Humanities (English and Social Sciences)gdoute@orionschools.org(310) 612-7227

Mr. John J. GainesDept. Chair STEM

(Math and Science)jgaines@orionschools.org

(562) 318-9966

Orion Learning Community

Mr. Zach WalterOnline Course Facilitator, Community Outreach Coordinatorzwalter@orionschools.org(719) 337-2497

Ms. Joanna MunozOffice Manager, Administrator

jmunoz@orionschools.org(323) 898-5188

Orion Learning Community

Ms. Karissa PulidoInternational Programs Coordinatorkpulido@orionschools.org(323) 898-7230