Orange Lutheran High School is honored to be recognized by the Council for American Private Education (CAPE) for meeting the rigorous criteria of the U.S. Department of Education’s National Blue Ribbon Schools program. While the Department ended the Blue Ribbon program as of August 29, 2025, CAPE acknowledged private schools that had successfully completed the application process and met the program’s high standards—schools that would have been formally announced as Blue Ribbon Schools had the program continued. Orange Lutheran was one of only three private schools in California to earn this distinction.

This recognition is not simply about achievement; it reflects God's faithfulness through our faculty, staff, students, and the supportive community that strengthens our shared purpose. It affirms that excellence pursued for the glory of God honors Him and blesses those we serve.

“At Orange Lutheran, we want our students to be strengthened by Christ and prepared for life,” said Dr. Jack Preus, Head of School. “This recognition points to the faithfulness of our teachers, staff, and students, and the shared calling we have with our families. Though the formal Blue Ribbon award is no longer presented, we receive this acknowledgment as a reminder that our pursuit of excellence is really about giving glory to God.”

CAPE’s recognition highlights the broad areas where Orange Lutheran thrives:

• Academic Rigor: A college-preparatory curriculum offering AP, honors, and specialized pathways in Business, STEM, and the Arts.
   
• Extracurricular Excellence: CIF-recognized athletics, championship teams, and an award-winning arts program anchored in the Nechita Center.
   
• Faith Formation: Opportunities such as retreats, ministry experiences, and service initiatives through our Missions program that guide students to grow in Christ.

We are grateful for this distinction and see it as both affirmation and encouragement. It strengthens our resolve to continue rising to the calling God has placed on our school: to educate the whole person—academically, spiritually, artistically, and athletically—in a Christ-centered environment that equips students for a life of service and leadership.

Building on this momentum, we look ahead to strengthening our programs, nurturing our spiritual life, and supporting our community so that faith, excellence, and character remain at the heart of all we do at Orange Lutheran.

UPDATE: In a press release from State Superintendent Tony Thurmond and the California Department of Education (CDE), he congratulated the 2025 California Blue Ribbon School nominees, noting:

“California Blue Ribbon School communities will receive official recognition from the CDE and will be formally celebrated at the annual California School Recognition Program celebration in spring 2026. The California Blue Ribbon School recognition program, established to recognize certified nominees of the cancelled NBRS program, will be awarded for this year only.”

(Source: California Department of Education Press Release, October 23, 2025)