Orange County News

Grand Opening on Grand Avenue, Scholarship Prep's New TK-3 Campus

Grand Opening on Grand Avenue, Scholarship Prep's New TK-3 Campus

Posted by Rachel Foy on August 29, 2022 in General News

Today, more than 300 students in grades TK through 3rd grade were welcomed into the bright and spacious classrooms of Scholarship Prep Public Schools’ first “ground-up” campus at 1821 N. Grand Avenue in Santa Ana, less than two miles from its flagship campus, now serving students in 4th through 8th grades.

With consideration of the school’s project-based learning academic program, the team at Scholarship Prep celebrates the grand opening of these 16 large classrooms that accommodate flexible seating, creating space for students to collaborate, research, problem-solve, and present their work while addressing essential questions and real-world problems. This endeavor was made possible through the hard work, perseverance, and vision of Blackwell Development, Inc., Red Hook Capital Partners, the City of Santa Ana, the Orange County Department of Education, and the Scholarship Prep Public Schools Board.

Adorned with brand-new furniture and state-of-the-art technology, this beautiful learning facility attends to the needs of the school faculty, providing convenient and ample storage space and an inviting staff lounge.


“Having ample physical space to move around offers so many different options when planning lessons. It will be easier to conduct small groups and centers; it also allows me to plan activities for students to get out of their seats and move around. I love making learning playful, and all of the extra space will make it easier for me to bring playfulness and joy into learning.” - Katie Chavez, Teacher
A focal point of this beautiful new facility is a mural that greets students each morning upon arrival. Created with the purpose of not only educating but also inspiring students, the mural is a representation of key figures of color who positively contributed to society in a myriad of ways, including civil service, social justice, civil rights, arts, and athletics.

This pleasing aesthetic was designed and painted by artist Brian Peterson whose Faces of Santa Ana organization envisions a world where every person is visible, connected, and loved. This collaboration aligns directly with Scholarship Prep’s commitment to seeing all our students succeed as we provide free comprehensive, wraparound services to support our diverse foster and homeless youth population in achieving their unlimited potential.




“Schools must create spaces that both invite and excite students to be there. When you create an environment that is both social-emotionally nurturing as well as visually stimulating, there’s no limit to the levels of achievement that can be attained if you accompany that with a caring, loving staff and excellent teaching.” - Jason Watts, Executive Director
Students will enjoy indoor and outdoor educational settings with specialized training in both athletics and the arts, where they will learn not only to maintain a healthy body and learn the benefits of exercise and fitness but also grow in their talents and creativity with experienced instructors.



Throughout this collegiate-inspired academic setting, Scholarship Prep students are exposed to the many possibilities awaiting them in higher learning and are motivated to “reach higher and dream bigger!”

The 19,000-square-foot Santa Ana campus is the first of two new builds planned to open for the organization in 2022. A second facility anticipates welcoming students to the organization’s South Bay campus in Wilmington this September.