Sunburst Youth Academy cadets listen to remarks as the academy is named one of six high schools in Orange County to receive the Orange County Department of Education’s inaugural School Impact Award during a ceremony after school, Oct. 7, 2025, at Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos, Calif. Sunburst is a voluntary residential high school credit recovery school run in partnership between the Orange County Department of Education’s ACCESS alternative education program and the California National Guard’s Task Force Torch youth and community programs directorate. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Crystal Housman)

By Tech. Sgt. Crystal Housman

The Orange County Department of Education recognized Sunburst Youth Academy with its inaugural School Impact Award on Tuesday, Oct. 7, during a formation ceremony attended by more than 200 cadets from the academy’s Class 36, along with teachers, cadre, and military staff at Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos.

The award honors schools demonstrating innovation, leadership, and measurable impact on student success. Out of more than 600 schools countywide, just 12 were selected including six high schools and six elementary or middle schools.

“This recognition celebrates the transformation that happens here,” said Dr. Stefan Bean, superintendent of the Orange County Department of Education. “Leadership isn’t about titles. It’s about lifting others to their potential. Sunburst exemplifies that by helping students leave here as stronger leaders in our communities.”

Sunburst Youth Academy operates as a partnership between the California National Guard’s Task Force Torch and OCDE’s ACCESS (Alternative, Community, Correctional, Education, Schools & Services) division, providing a voluntary, military-structured environment where students can recover high school credits, build discipline, and develop life skills.

Sunburst Youth Academy’s Class 36 Cadet Miller sings the national anthem before a ceremony naming the academy one of six high schools in Orange County to receive the Orange County Department of Education’s inaugural School Impact Award during a ceremony after school, Oct. 7, 2025, at Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos, Calif. Sunburst is a voluntary residential high school credit recovery school run in partnership between the Orange County Department of Education’s ACCESS alternative education program and the California National Guard’s Task Force Torch youth and community programs directorate. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Crystal Housman)

Dr. Maria Martinez-Poulin, ACCESS chief, praised the academy’s “holistic approach” to student growth. “At Sunburst, learning isn’t confined to the classroom,” she said. “It extends to every conversation, every act of service, and every moment of growth. This community models what it means to lead with heart and build a future grounded in hope, resilience, and shared responsibility.”

Principal Dinah Ismail accepted the award alongside Martinez-Poulin and U.S. Army Lt. Col. Sarah Rambo, academy director, crediting Sunburst’s broad network of partners. “This recognition is not ours alone. It belongs to every person who walks alongside us,” Ismail said. “It takes a village to change lives, and we are blessed with an incredible village of educators, mentors, and community supporters.”

Sunburst Youth Academy Class 36 Cadet Martinez listens to remarks as the academy is named one of six high schools in Orange County to receive the Orange County Department of Education’s inaugural School Impact Award during a ceremony after school, Oct. 7, 2025, at Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos, Calif. Sunburst is a voluntary residential high school credit recovery school run in partnership between the Orange County Department of Education’s ACCESS alternative education program and the California National Guard’s Task Force Torch youth and community programs directorate. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Crystal Housman)

Rambo described Sunburst as more than a school. “To call this place a school is selling it short,” she said. “It’s a family and a culture, one built by teachers, cadre, and staff who never give up on a cadet. Together, we help each young person see their full potential, both here and when they walk out the door.”

Sunburst Youth Academy is presented the Orange County Department of Education’s inaugural School Impact Award during a ceremony after school, Oct. 7, 2025, at Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos, Calif. From left: Dr. Stefan Bean, Orange County superintendent of schools; U.S. Army Lt. Col. Sarah Rambo, academy director; Dinah Ismail, Sunburst principal; and Dr. Maria Martinez-Poulin, chief of OCDE’s ACCESS – Alternative, Community, Correctional, Education, Schools, & Services division. Sunburst is a voluntary residential high school credit recovery school run in partnership between the Orange County Department of Education’s ACCESS alternative education program and the California National Guard’s Task Force Torch youth and community programs directorate. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Crystal Housman)

The recognition marks a milestone for the academy, which continues to serve as a model for transformative education through structure, mentorship, and compassion.

The ceremony came the same week first-quarter grades were posted, revealing strong academic achievement for Class 36.

Out of 206 cadets, 148 earned academic accolades, including 115 Honor Roll students with GPAs of 3.7 or higher, 22 on the Principal’s Honor Roll with perfect 4.0 GPAs, and 11 earning the academy’s Academic Excellence uniform pin with both a 4.0 GPA and outstanding behavior marks in every class. The academy’s cumulative GPA currently stands at 3.92 for all 206 students.
About Sunburst Youth AcademySunburst Youth Academy is a voluntary, tuition-free residential high school program run by the California National Guard’s Task Force Torch youth and community programs directorate in partnership with the Orange County Department of Education.

Located at Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos, the academy provides a highly structured, military-style environment where students, known as cadets, refocus on their education, leadership, and personal growth while working through a year’s worth of high school credits in half the time. Sunburst is one of 38 National Guard Youth Challenge Programs nationwide designed to help young people earn high school credits, build confidence and resilience, and graduate with a clear plan for success.
Tech. Sgt. Crystal Housman is with Sunburst Youth Academy Outreach, Admissions & Recruiting Dept.

Sunburst Youth Academy Class 36 Cadet Cardenas listens to remarks as the academy is named one of six high schools in Orange County to receive the Orange County Department of Education’s inaugural School Impact Award during a ceremony after school, Oct. 7, 2025, at Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos, Calif. Sunburst is a voluntary residential high school credit recovery school run in partnership between the Orange County Department of Education’s ACCESS alternative education program and the California National Guard’s Task Force Torch youth and community programs directorate. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Crystal Housman)