The School
The Project HOPE School: Feeding Young Minds
History of the School
In 1989, a dedicated schoolteacher began teaching local homeless children from the back of her car. That simple but powerful act of compassion soon grew into an organized program called Project HOPE — which stands for Homeless Outreach Program in Education. Today, Project HOPE operates as a county-run school specifically designed to help children without permanent homes transition into the mainstream educational system.
For over twenty years, Project HOPE School has educated hundreds of homeless children across Orange County. The school currently serves approximately 60 students in a fifty-week-a-year, half-day program based in permanent facilities in the city of Orange. At the end of each academic day, students are transported to the Tustin Boys and Girls Club, where they participate in tutoring sessions, sports, and enrichment activities.
"The Mission of Project HOPE School is to provide an exceptional academic environment that empowers homeless and economically vulnerable children to achieve their fullest potential. Project HOPE is giving many homeless children hope for the very first time."
Preparing Students for Life
Project HOPE School offers instruction in small, multi-grade classrooms where every student is able to work at their own individual level. Current school facilities include:
- Three fully equipped classrooms
- A dedicated computer lab
- A multi-purpose room for group activities and programs
Because most homeless families do not own an automobile, transportation is a critical lifeline. Each morning, children are bused from motels and shelter programs in Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Santa Ana, and Anaheim to their school in Orange — ensuring that no child misses out on their education simply because of a lack of transportation.
At the school, three full-time teachers — supported by aides, special-needs educators, and dedicated volunteers — work one-on-one with students each day. Their goals go far beyond academics:
- Prepare students to successfully transition into mainstream schools
- Instill in them a deep respect for themselves and their classmates
- Nurture a genuine and lasting love for learning
- Teach essential interpersonal and social skills
- Build and strengthen each student's self-esteem and confidence
Teachers also organize off-site field trips and incorporate computer-based instruction to supplement and enrich in-class lessons. At the end of each school day, students are transported back to their motels and shelters.
Like any traditional school, Project HOPE issues regular progress reports to keep families informed of their child's development. Most notably, the school proudly graduates 90% of its eighth graders to local high schools — a testament to the dedication of its staff and the resilience of its students.