Orcutt Union School District

Resources for Military Families

A group of people stand together in front of a SpaceX facility, smiling for a photo.

The Orcutt Union School District welcomes students from military families

We recognize that military-connected students often have needed to change schools multiple times, and we are committed to providing these students a warm welcome and a smooth transition to our schools. In our district, most military-connected students have a parent/guardian stationed at Vandenberg Space Force Base, so most families are affiliated with the U.S. Space Force or U.S. Air Force. We work closely with our friends at Vandenberg to make available any services that are needed.

District History with Military Families

Orcutt schools have been serving military families since World War II, when the U.S. Army constructed what was then known as Santa Maria Army Base to provide training for crews of B-25 and P-38 aircraft (the facility was on the grounds of what today is Santa Maria Airport). School staff are familiar with the specific needs of military families. On July 24, 2024, the OUSD Management Team (which includes all district and school administrators) participated in a day-long retreat at Vandenberg that included presentations on the military deployment cycle, support available at VSFB for families, the EFMP Family Member Program, and more.

Honoring Veterans

Thanks and respect to all our veterans!!

Orcutt Academy K-8 and Olga Reed School in Los Alamos took time to honor and celebrate veterans with connections to students and families from the two schools. Students sang for the veterans, read tributes, and honored the American flag as it was presented by a U.S. Air Force Color Guard.

A large group of children and adults stand in a gymnasium, with the children raising their hands in the air.

A group of veterans are honored with a banner that reads 'Thank You For Your Service Vets' in a school gymnasium.

A group of children stand at attention in front of a group of veterans, who are seated on stage. The children are saluting, and the veterans are smiling.

A group of children wearing red, white, and blue hats stand in a line, facing a group of adults seated in chairs.

A group of children sit on the floor of a school gymnasium, listening to a speaker at a podium. Veterans are seated in the background.

A group of young children participate in an assembly activity honoring veterans, led by a teacher.

A group of children stand attentively as military personnel present the American flag during a school assembly.

District Partnerships with the Military

OUSD has several ongoing partnerships with military or military-connected organizations

California Army National Guard

In the past two school years, the California Army National Guard has provided DARE instruction for district sixth graders.

STARBASE Program

In the past three school years, five district schools have sent students to the STARBASE Program, a Department of Defense-funded STEM program based at Vandenberg.

OUSD has several ongoing partnerships with military or military-connected organizations

U.S. Space Force

The district’s Los Alamos campus has enjoyed Space STEM activities provided by the U.S. Space Force. Volunteers from the Space Force assist with the activities.

U.S Air Force

Pine Grove School's Lego League robotics team recently was visited by the U.S. Air Force robotic bomb deactivation squad! Members of the squad, which is based out of nearby Vandenberg Space Force Base, did a demonstration, allowed students to drive the robot, and answered questions.

Available Services

Students and military personnel on a grassy field standing behind a robot

Vandenberg Space Force Base Services

Families connected to Vandenberg SFB have access to the following services:

Family events and services

The Vandenberg SFB 30th Force Support Squadron makes available numerous family events and services. To contact FSS, call 805-606-0276 or go to the Force Support Squadron website.

Transition and Relocation Assistance

The Vandenberg Military & Family Readiness Center offers support with transition assistance, relocation assistance, and more. To contact the Center, call 805-606-0039 or go to Vandenberg Military & Family Readiness Center.

Support for families with special medical and educational needs

Vandenberg’s Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) offers support to families with special medical and educational needs. To contact EFMP, call 805-606-6785 or go to Vandenberg Exceptional Family Member Program.

School Liaison Program

Vandenberg’s School Liaison Program can help families explore all options in order to make the right decision for their children’s education. To contact the liaison, call 805-606-5698 or visit the Vandenberg School Liaison Program website.

OUSD Services

As needed, the district can connect military families with the following services:

Special Education Support

For students with an individualized education program (IEP), the district offers a continuum of services.

Counseling

The district has staff counselors at all its schools who are available to see students to provide social-emotional support.

Health Services

The district’s two district nurses are available to consult with families on medical issues.

Community Navigators

The district has two community navigators employed by the Santa Barbara County Education Office who are resources for the families of students with intensive mental health needs. The navigators are able to assist families in accessing community-based care.

Child Nutrition

School meals are free for all students. The district’s Child Nutrition Department is able to provide food for students with food allergies and/or specific dietary needs.

Student Success Teams

Each school has a Student Success Team (SST) to discuss concerns about a student’s progress. Parents have the ability to request an SST meeting; for more information, see the principal.

OUSD Resources

District Military Liaison

The district military liaison is Joe Dana, the district’s Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services. Mr. Dana can be reached at jdana@orcutt-schools.net or 805-938-8930.

School Military Liaisons

Our principals function as the military liaison for their schools. Their contact information can be found below.

Enrollment

Military families residing within the Orcutt Union School District may begin the process of online enrollment by visiting the Enrollment page on the district website.
Enrollment at Orcutt Academy, the district’s TK-12 Charter school option, is done via lottery. Applications for the following school year are accepted from the first full week of November until late January, one week prior to the annual enrollment lottery held in the first week of February. For more information please visit the Academy Admissions page or contact Joe Dana at jdana@orcutt-schools.net or 805-938-8934.
Families needing assistance may contact Carol Sutton of the OUSD Enrollment Office at csutton@orcutt-schools.net or 805-938-8946.

Transitional Support

Military-connected students are welcomed by the school principal and community liaison. Parents/guardians are encouraged to share with the principal any pertinent information about their student’s academic progress, social-emotional development, and/or special needs. As needed, the principal or designee will provide a campus tour and introduction to the student’s assigned classroom or homeroom teacher.

Three students conduct a science experiment in a classroom, wearing safety goggles and gloves.

School Liasions for Military Families

Alice Shaw Elementary (TK-8)

Julie Kozel

(805) 938-8850

Joe Nightingale Elementary (TK-6)

Kate McInerney

(805) 938-8650

Lakeview Junior High School (7-8)

Kelly Osborne

(805) 938-8600

Olga Reed School (TK-8)

Jared Banks

(805) 960-5530

Orcutt Academy Charter (TK-8)

Jared Banks

(805) 960-5530

Orcutt Academy Charter High School (9-12)

Rhett Carter

(805) 938-8550

Orcutt Junior High School (7-8)

Joe Schmidt

(805) 938-8700

Orcutt School for Independent Study (K-8)

Cher Manich

(805) 960-5580

Patterson Road Elementary (TK-6)

Nikki Sorensen

(805) 938-8750

Pine Grove Elementary (TK-6)

Michelle Boyd

(805) 938-8800

Ralph Dunlap Elementary (TK-6)

Jonathan Dollahite

(805) 938-8500

Frequently Asked Questions

The district currently has 228 students with parents in the U.S. Armed Forces. As stated earlier, the district is proud to serve these students and their families.
The Orcutt Union School District is comprised of Orcutt, portions of the City of Santa Maria, Los Alamos, and Casmalia. Use the Find My School website tool to identify which OUSD school boundary a particular address falls within.

School boundary maps can be accessed on the district Enrollment page.
At this time, Orcutt is not enrolling students who do not reside within the district. Families need to reside within district boundaries in order to enroll a student.
Absolutely. The Orcutt Academy’s enrollment period for the following school year begins the first full week of November and concludes one week before the annual enrollment lottery in February. For full details, please visit the Orcutt Academy Admissions web page. For more information, contact Joe Dana at jdana@orcutt-schools.net or 805-938-8934.