Upcoming Events
EHS Highlights/News
Families: Please pass this along to anyone who would like to transfer to Esperanza for an academy. Thank you! Below is a list of all of our academies and pathways as well as other electives.
Academy Application timeline:
Application Window Opens: September 22
Application Closes: October 23
Acceptance Notification: November 2
Academy Commitment Day: November 6
Click on Each Academy or Pathway to Learn More
PYLUSD Artworks Poster Art Contest!
Calling all PYLUSD secondary student artists!
We are excited to invite students in grades 6-12 to participate in the 30th Annual PYLUSD Artworks Exhibition Poster Art Contest!
This year's theme is: "175 Years of California Dreaming"
Students are encouraged to get creative and design an original poster inspired by California's history, culture, landscapes, and the many things that make our state special!
Student Recognition & Prizes
The REACH Foundation will recognize six student winners across the elementary, middle, and high school levels, awarding gift certificates totaling $500! Two students will be recognized at the MS level, and two students at HS level for equal opportunity to win.
How to enter:
Submit entries through our Google Classroom.
Link: https://classroom.google.com/c/ODY2MTM2MzYwNTk0?cjc=hy44rpoi
Class code: hy44rpoi
Submission Deadline: Friday, December 18, 2026
Submission Requirements
Open to all PYLUSD secondary students in grades 6-12.
Artwork must reflect the theme "175 Years of California Dreaming."
Students must submit their original poster artwork.
An artist statement must accompany each submission.
Please review the contest guidelines before submitting.
Our AVID students attended a field trip this week to Cal State Fullerton. They toured the campus, learned about possible majors, hung out in the student union, and had a glimpse into a typical day in the life of a college student. Some of our AVID seniors expressed interest in being a Titan next year, and we can't wait to see them shine!
Classroom Spotlight!
Army JROTC
Esperanza High School’s Army JROTC program helps students develop leadership, discipline, responsibility, citizenship, and teamwork. Through leadership activities, physical training, community service, and hands-on experiences, cadets build confidence and learn the importance of accountability, collaboration, and serving others.
Our Aztec cadets have had a busy week! They presented our nation’s colors at the PYLUSD Women in Industry event and during our school pep rally, and they will present the colors again tonight at our Homecoming football game. In addition to these important responsibilities, cadets enjoyed a team BBQ during lunch, with their teacher, Officer Randle, grilling burgers while students, dressed in their camouflage JROTC uniforms, enjoyed time together and strengthened their team bonds.
We are proud of our JROTC cadets for the leadership, teamwork, and school pride they demonstrate both on and off campus!
C.A.C Kick Off!
Join the Special Education Community Advisory Committee (CAC) for its annual CAC Kick Off on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, from 9:30–11:00 a.m. at the PYLUSD Expanded Learning Center in Yorba Linda!
Connect with fellow parents, learn about valuable resources, and discover how CAC supports families as they navigate their children’s special education journey.
All are welcome!
Attention Seniors: Need help with your college applications?
Starting in October, counselors will be available on select late-start Wednesdays from 8:00 to 9:00 AM in the College and Career Center (Room 776) to answer questions and offer guidance.
October 14th Workshop is cancelled!
Check the flyer for more details!
Advanced Placement exams are now available for purchase! Exams are $99, and students need to complete three steps to register.
1) Join College Board's AP Classroom(s) using the join code provided by their AP teacher.
2) Complete the AP Registration form linked here.
3) Purchase the exam(s) at the EHS Webstore or the Finance Office on campus.
For any questions, please contact Dr. Barraza Lyons at kbarraza-lyons@pylusd.org
The deadline to purchase is October 23, 2026.
Counseling
Ready to explore your college options? College Rep Visits are your chance to connect face-to-face with college admissions representatives, discover what different campuses have to offer, and get answers to the questions that matter most to YOU!
🔎 What can you learn?
🎓 Admission requirements & application tips
💰 Scholarships & financial aid opportunities
📚 Majors, programs & academic life
🏫 Campus life & student experiences
💼 Career, internship & research opportunities
❓ And answers to all your college questions!
All students are welcome to sign up! If a visit reaches capacity, seniors will receive priority.
Sign up online: HERE or on the EHS Website, under the Counseling tab/College Rep Visits, or stop by and see Mrs. Botello in the College & Career Center.
Spots can fill quickly—don’t wait! Find a college that sparks your interest, ask questions, and start planning for your future.
It’s that time of the year to Fall in Love with Cal State Fullerton!! ✨🍂 Join CSUF on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026 from 10AM - 2PM for their open house event! Prospective students and their supporters are invited to connect with their academic colleges, take campus tours, discover resources and so much more!
Register HERE. Live the day as a Titan and learn how to start your journey to success! 🐘
Athletics Spotlight:
Click HERE to buy Tickets
Athletic Clearance for the New School Year (2026-2027)
All Student-Athletes must be cleared, prior to participation dates, with an updated physical and a completed home campus account, all accessible on our Athletics Home Page.
Activities
On Wednesday, Oct 21st in the practice gym from 6-7:30pm we will be holding our Senior Grad Fair.
At this event, you can purchase graduation caps and gowns, senior activities, senior banners, Grad Night, and senior yearbook pages.
Please don't miss this night, as it will help break up the payments for senior year.
Each vendor takes separate payment, so bring extra checks or cash.
Did you know that there is a national Blood Shortage?
Here at EHS we are trying to do our part to help stock the blood banks.
We are hosting our Fall Blood Drive on Thursday, Oct. 22nd with LifeStream. ALL are welcome to donate, and we encourage family members and students over 16 to donate. Permission slips for students are outside the ASB room and are due on Tuesday, Oct. 20th.
Parents and family members are welcome but will need to check in at the front office,
ALL DONORS RECEIVE A FREE $10 In-N-Out Gift Card.
Scholarships
Saturday, Oct 17th
On Saturday, Oct 17th, Esperanza is holding a fundraiser at Egg Bred Breakfast Sandwiches located at Rose Dr. and Imperial Hwy. by the Stater Bros.
Grab some great breakfast and give backto Esperanza!
North Orange County ROP is offering the Medical Innovation, Research & Entrepreneurship (MIRE) program.
MIRE provides students with a unique opportunity to explore biomedical innovation, research, entrepreneurship, data science, prototyping, and medical technologies while working alongside industry professionals to address real-world healthcare challenges. Students collaborate to develop innovative solutions, build a biomedical company concept, and showcase their work at the culminating symposium. The program is open to all high school students, requires no prerequisites, and offers UC A-G credit.
MIRE Fall 2026 registration is now open!
See flyer for details and scan the QR Code to register
Past Announcements/News
Note: Students currently enrolled in a Fall 2026 Dual Enrollment class do not need to reapply.
Don’t miss this opportunity to jumpstart your future!
Ready to get started? Complete the Collegelink Interest Form to receive a call slip, or visit Mrs. Botello in the College and Career Center!
Get a head start on your future by earning free college credit while still in high school through Fullerton College’s CollegeLink Program. These engaging courses transfer to most four-year universities and can help prepare you for success after graduation. Best of all, classes are fully online, allowing you to learn from anywhere while still managing your high school schedule.
Spring 2027 CollegeLink Courses:
🎸MUS 119 History of Rock
📚ETHS 150 Introduction to Chicano Studies
🚔NEW: AJ 230 Crime Scene Techniques
🚔 AJ 100: Intro to Criminal Justice
💻CISG 110: Intro to Programming for Computer Games
📚BUS 256: Artificial Intelligence & Prompt Engineering for Business
🔉COMM C1000: Public Speaking
🥗 NUTR 210: Human Nutrition
🏢 IDES180: History of Architecture & Furnishings
📻 CTRV 145: Radio & TV Sports Broadcasting
📚SOC 101: Intro to Sociology
💃Dance 100: Dance Appreciation
Important Reminder for Families:
All previously issued OCTA Youth Ride Free Wave Cards will expire on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
Families must renew their child’s current Wave Card or apply for a new one before September 30.
Schools will no longer issue Wave Cards.
What Families Need to Know:
Documentation showing the student’s date of birth and photo is required for renewals and new applications.
Apply online at OCBus.com/Apply or visit the OCTA office in person.
OCTA Office: 500 S. Main Street, Orange
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
OCTA Open House: Thursday, September 10, 2:30–4:30 p.m. Families can receive assistance with applications, create new accounts, and ask questions.
Questions? Contact OCTA Representative Jocelyn De La Cruz at 714-636-7433.
As we begin another exciting school year at Esperanza High School, we want to share an important reminder regarding campus expectations and California’s Assembly Bill 3216, also known as the Phone-Free School Act. The law requires schools to limit student smartphone use during instructional time.
At Esperanza, our goal is to create classrooms where students are focused, engaged, and ready to learn. To support this expectation, teachers will use simple classroom phone-management systems. Depending on the classroom, students may be asked to place their phones in designated storage such as phone pockets, caddies, or other secure locations at the beginning of each class and retrieve them when the bell rings.
Students will continue to have access to their phones during passing periods, break, lunch, and other unstructured times during the school day. Students who require a personal device for documented health or medical monitoring will be accommodated through our school nurse. Device access will also be permitted in the event of an emergency.
If you need to reach your student with an urgent message during class, please contact the Esperanza High School main office and our staff will assist you.
Failure to follow classroom phone expectations will be addressed through the progressive discipline procedures outlined in the Esperanza Student Handbook.
Thank you for partnering with us to keep our classrooms focused, connected, and centered on learning!
Regular attendance is essential to student success. Please help your student arrive on time and attend all scheduled classes.
If your student is absent from one or more periods, please clear the absence using one of the following:
NEW! Google Attendance Form: Complete the form here. This is the preferred method and should be completed the day of the absence or at least 24 hours before a pre-arranged absence. The form must be submitted using the guardian email address on file.
Absence Line: Call (714) 986-7540, option 4. Please provide your student’s first and last name, grade, ID number (if known), your name, and a contact number.
Written Note: If an absence was not reported in advance, students may bring a signed parent/guardian note to the Attendance Office before school.
48-Hour Reminder: Parents/guardians have 48 hours after a student returns to clear an absence by phone, Google Form, or written note. Unresolved absences may become truancies and result in assigned Saturday Hours.
Leaving Campus: Students must obtain an Off-Campus Pass from the Attendance Office before leaving campus. Classes missed without an approved pass will be marked truant.
Thank you for helping us support strong attendance and student success!
Interested in Buying Senior Ads?
Celebrate your senior with a special ad in the 2026–2027 Esperanza High School Yearbook!
Families can purchase a full-page, half-page, or quarter-page ad to share photos, memories, and a personalized message for their graduating senior.
Pre-Sale pricing is available now through November 13! Ads must be purchased and submitted by January 29, 2027.
Visit buytheyearbook.com and enter school ID 736260 to purchase your ad!