Strategic Visioning & Planning

Overview

Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (PYLUSD) is embarking on a districtwide Strategic Visioning & Planning process designed to shape the future of our schools and community. This inclusive effort brings together educators, students, families, community partners, and local organizations to collaboratively define the priorities, goals, and initiatives that will guide student success and district operations in the years ahead.

Focus Groups & Stakeholder Engagement

As part of the Strategic Visioning & Planning process, PYLUSD is engaging a wide range of voices across our school community. These focus groups ensure that diverse perspectives, experiences, and ideas help inform the district’s priorities and long-term direction.

We will be meeting with the following stakeholder groups:

Recent High School Graduate (1–5 years out)
High School & Middle School Students
Parents and Guardians
Teachers
School and District Administrators
Classified and Support Staff
Community Partners and Local Organizations
- Rotary Club of Placentia
- Rotary Club of YL
- Placentia Round Table Women’s Club
- YL Public Library
- Placentia Public Library
- City of Yorba Linda
- City of Placentia
- Placentia PD
- Placentia Fire
- OC Sherriff
- Orange County Fire Authority
Business and Industry Representatives
- Chamber of Commerce Placentia
- Chamber of Commerce Yorba Linda
- North Orange County ROP
Local Colleges & Universities
- Fullerton College
- Santiago Canyon College
- Orange Coast College
- UCI
- CSUF
- Chapman University
- UCR
- Cypress College
- Cal Poly
- Santa Ana College
Elected Officials
PYLUC (PTA)
REACH Foundation
Community Advisory Committee (CAC)
District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC)
Booster Clubs
Board Members

Survey

Now Open! — In addition to focus groups, PYLUSD will offer a brief (5-10 minute) survey to gather stakeholder input for the new five-year Strategic Plan. Survey results will be reported by stakeholder group only, and no individual responses will be identified.

Resources & Presentations

Coming Soon!

Previous Strategic Plans

Community Forums

The Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District will host five community forums open to all:

Date & Location Coming Soon!
Date & Location Coming Soon!
Date & Location Coming Soon!
Date & Location Coming Soon!
Date & Location Coming Soon!

Progress Monitoring

PYLUSD is committed to transparency and accountability throughout the Strategic Visioning & Planning process. Progress updates will be shared regularly, highlighting key milestones and themes from stakeholder input as the district moves toward a new five-year Strategic Plan.

Focus Group	Meeting Date	Invitations Sent	Participant in Attendance	Key Themes
Valencia HS (9th-11th)	1/21/26	25 Students	21	Students value supportive teachers and flexible schedules that enhance learning, face significant academic and future-planning pressures, and desire more real-world skills and career exploration opportunities to make school more relevant to their lives.
Valencia HS (Seniors)	1/21/26	25 Students	20	Students value caring teachers, athletics and programs that build confidence and real-world experience, feel stress balancing academics and post-graduation planning, and want more hands-on opportunities, financial literacy, and guidance to feel prepared for life after high school.
El Dorado HS (Seniors)	1/21/26	25 Students	27	Students appreciate supportive teachers, strong school spirit, and helpful counseling, but face stress from heavy workloads, inconsistent expectations, and logistical challenges, while expressing a need for practical life skills, expanded career exploration, and more relevant, hands-on opportunities.
El Dorado HS (9th-11th)	1/21/26	25 Students	28	Students value supportive relationships, engaging programs, and school connections, yet feel stress and uncertainty about post-graduation decisions and adult responsibilities, and they strongly desire more real-world preparation, career exploration, life-skills instruction, and balanced expectations as they transition into adulthood.
Yorba Linda HS (9th-11th)	1/22/26	25 Students	21	Students appreciate rigorous coursework and supportive teachers who foster collaboration and growth, but feel pressure from college expectations and demanding schedules, and want more guidance in financial literacy, career pathways, and practical skills—including responsible use of AI—to better prepare for life after high school.
Yorba Linda HS (Seniors)	1/22/26	25 Students	24	Students value the supportive relationships, leadership opportunities, and collaborative experiences that shape their growth, yet feel uncertainty about future pathways and transitions, and seek more guidance in career planning, financial literacy, and real-world preparation to confidently navigate life after graduation.
Esperanza HS (9th-11th)	1/22/26	25 Students	30	Students appreciate welcoming teachers, diverse course options, and collaborative learning environments, but struggle with balancing demands and navigating inconsistent expectations, and they want clearer guidance, life skills, and college- and career-readiness support to feel confident and prepared for the future.
Esperanza HS (Seniors)	1/22/26	25 Students	10	Students value programs and activities that build community and identity, feel stress navigating post-graduation choices and transitions, and want clearer guidance, real-world experiences, and practical skills to confidently prepare for college, careers, and independent living.
REACH Foundation Board	1/22/26	30-40 Members	20	Participants highlighted strong community connections, caring educators, and valuable partnerships, while emphasizing the need for greater transparency, student voice, and expanded community collaboration—such as internships and career exposure—to ensure graduates develop the social, professional, and life skills needed to thrive.
Valadez MS (7th-8th)	1/23/26	30 Students	32	Students value friendships, supportive teachers, and engaging choices in classes, but feel pressure from tests, workload, and transition concerns, and they want time-management support, balanced expectations, and future-ready skills to help them succeed in high school and beyond.
Tuffree MS (7th-8th)	1/23/26	30 Students	28	Students value friendships, supportive teachers, and engaging electives that build confidence, yet feel stress from workloads and transitions, and they want strong academic support, time-management skills, and real-world preparation to succeed in high school and beyond.
District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC)/Title I	1/26/26	40-50 Members	29	Community members expressed strong confidence in the district’s educators and programs, while emphasizing the importance of strengthening career readiness, communication, partnerships, and whole-child development. Participants consistently highlighted that schools play a critical role not only in academic preparation, but in developing responsible, capable, and community-minded individuals.
Divisions (District Office Department Leadership)	2/17/26	22 District Leaders	17	Participants recognized dedicated staff, strong community investment, and diverse student opportunities as key strengths, while noting systemic, equity, and structural challenges that limit access and innovation, and emphasizing the need to strengthen pathways, partnerships, and future-ready skills to better prepare all students for success.
Elementary Student Support Staff	2/18/26	32 Staff Members	23
Community Advisory Committee (CAC)	2/18/26	30-40 Members	3	Participants recognized strong school pride, inclusive values, and supportive teaching practices, while calling for greater transparency, consistency, and family partnership—especially in special education—to ensure all students feel accepted, supported, and prepared to advocate for themselves and succeed in the real world.
Association of Placentia-Linda Educators (APLE)	2/18/26	100 Teachers	80
California School Employees Association (CSEA)	2/19/26	100 Employees	47
Student Support Staff	2/19/26	27 Staff Members	24	Participants highlighted strong relationships, collaborative supports, and diverse academic programs as key strengths, while noting barriers such as stigma, limited resources, and access challenges, and emphasizing the need to build self-advocacy, executive functioning, and real-world readiness skills while expanding pathways beyond a four-year college option.
Kraemer MS (7th-8th)	2/19/26	30 Students	26	Students value friendships, activities, and a diverse school community, yet feel pressure from academics, expectations, and the transition ahead, and they want stronger guidance, life skills, and transition support to feel confident and prepared for high school and adulthood.
Yorba Linda MS (7th-8th)	2/19/26	30 Students	22	Students value supportive relationships, activities, and a strong sense of belonging, but feel stress from workload demands and inconsistent expectations, and they want stronger transition supports, practical skills, and organizational strategies to feel confident and prepared for high school and beyond.
El Camino Real HS (11th-12th)	2/20/26	25 Students	14
Travis Ranch MS (6th-8th)	2/20/26	30 Students
Orange County School of Computer Science (6th-8th)	2/20/26	30 Students	28
Buena Vista Virtual Academy & Parkview	2/26/26	20 Students
PYLUC	3/4/26	TBD
Principals	4/1/26	33 Site Leaders
Local Colleges & Universities	TBD	TBD
Business and Industry Representatives	TBD	TBD
Community Organization	TBD	TBD

Timeline

January - April — Gather & Aggregate Input

May — Draft to Board for Study Session

June — Revisions & Final Approval by Board of Education

July — Implement New Strategic Plan