Saddleback Valley
Unified School District

The Saddleback Valley Unified School District proudly announces that all four comprehensive high schools—El Toro, Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo, and Trabuco Hills—have earned spots on the College Board’s AP School Honor Roll for the 2023-24 school year. El Toro received the Silver Award, while the other three schools earned Bronze Awards.

Launched in 2023, the AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools for expanding access to AP courses and achieving strong student outcomes. To qualify, schools must meet criteria such as having at least 40% of the graduating cohort take an AP exam, 25% score a 3 or higher, and 2% take five or more AP exams across grades.

Additionally, El Toro and Trabuco Hills received the AP Access Award, honoring their commitment to equitable access to advanced coursework by ensuring the demographics of AP exam takers reflect their overall student population.

Congratulations to our four SVUSD high schools for their dedication to offering rigorous opportunities through the AP program, exemplifying the district's mission to provide every student with opportunities to succeed! 

In a celebration filled with excitement and pride, Trabuco Hills High School’s (THHS) Instrumental Music Program was officially invited to perform at the 2026 London New Year’s Day Parade. The event, hosted at the Trabuco Hills campus on September 27 brought together students, families, staff, and dignitaries from Saddleback Valley Unified School District (SVUSD) to recognize this remarkable achievement.

Principal Alicia Foulk kicked off the ceremony by welcoming attendees, including members of the SVUSD Board of Education, district office leadership, and special guests from London. 

“I am so honored to have all of you with us today as we come together to celebrate this momentous occasion,” she stated. Principal Foulk went on to express her gratitude to the music students, their families, and the dedicated staff who have helped elevate the school’s music program to national prominence.

The invitation to perform in the prestigious London New Year’s Day Parade marks another milestone for the Thundering Mustangs Marching Unit, a nationally recognized ensemble that has consistently achieved excellence on some of the country’s biggest stages. Known for their high-energy performances, the marching band has previously represented Trabuco Hills in the 2017 National Independence Day Parade in Washington D.C. and the 2021 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Most recently, the group earned back-to-back Grand Champion titles in the Western Band Association’s 1-3A division in 2022 and 2023.

“Our Thundering Mustangs Marching Unit has been synonymous with excellence and entertainment for over three decades,” Foulk noted. “Their reputation for remarkable performances has taken them to some of the nation’s most prestigious stages, and now they will take on an international stage, representing not just Trabuco Hills High School, but all of Southern California.”

The event culminated in the presentation of the official invitation, delivered by Bob Bone, Founder and Chair of the London New Year’s Day Parade, and Steve Summers, Chair of the London Mayors’ Association and Former Lord Mayor of the City of Westminster (UK). The excitement in the room was palpable as they congratulated the students and staff on their accomplishments and shared their enthusiasm for their upcoming international performance.

"I think the thing about this band is the fact that they clearly enjoy the musical repertoire that they’re playing,” Bone said. “It’s infectious and that’s exactly the sort of band that we want at our parade.”

Instrumental Music Director Brad Pollock was also recognized for his leadership and dedication to the program. "None of this would be possible without the guidance of our program leaders, like Mr. Pollock, who tirelessly works to inspire our students every day," Principal Foulk said. 

With the official invitation in hand, the THHS Instrumental Music Program—including the marching band, percussion, symphony, and strings—is already looking ahead to 2026, ready to showcase their talents on the global stage and bring pride to their school and community once again.

Read more about the event courtesy of the Orange County Register at www.ocregister.com/2024/09/27/trabuco-hills-high-music-students-invited-to-perform-in-2026-london-parade/. VIew a video courtesy of the Orange County Department of Education at https://newsroom.ocde.us/watch-trabuco-hills-high-school-band-receives-invitation-to-perform-in-londons-new-years-day-parade/.

October 2, 2024

Mark your calendars, he SVUSD College & Career Fair is next week! SVUSD students will have the opportunity to meet representatives from colleges, universities, career industries, and the military to help decide their postgraduate pathways. Here is the event's information:

• Date: Wednesday, October 9, 2024
• Time: 6-8 PM
• Location: Mission Viejo High School

For more information, and to register for the event, please visit the SVUSD College & Career Fair website:

SVUSD College and Career Fair Website