About

Welcome to Orion High School

What?
Orion High School, also known as the Career & College Academy, is a small, innovative high school developed with input from business and industry leaders, families, and students. Our state-of-the-art facility spans 65,000 square feet and serves 600 students. While similar to Delta High School, Orion will exclusively serve students from Pasco. Our unique program ensures that every student graduates with a credential or industry certification and gains hands-on experience to help them transition smoothly into a career or further educational pursuits.

Orion High School will offer signature programs in health sciences, engineering, and advanced manufacturing. These programs provide students with the chance to earn industry certifications and college credits, paving the way for future careers in high-demand, high-wage industries.

Students will put their name in a lottery for a chance to go to Orion High School. Details are still being determined.

Where?
Orion High School is strategically located on Salt Lake Street, near Curie STEM Elementary, making it accessible and convenient for our students and their families.

When?
Construction of Orion High School began in spring 2024, with an anticipated opening in Fall 2025. We are excited to welcome our first cohort of students to this groundbreaking institution.

Why?
The establishment of Orion High School is part of our commitment to alleviating overcrowding in our other high schools. By creating a specialized and innovative learning environment, we provide unique career path options that meet the diverse learning needs of our students. Without this new addition, we would face the need to add portable classrooms to our existing high schools within just one year.

Building a small, innovative high school helps our district stay at the forefront of educational innovation. This is made possible through the support and resources provided by our community, for which we are incredibly grateful.

How Much?
The total cost for Orion High School is $37,984,375, funded entirely through a local bond. We have not relied on state matching funds, demonstrating our community's strong support for this essential project.

Our Name and Mascot
While running our bond, this high school was promoted as an innovative high school and often referred to as the Career and College Academy. Now, officially named Orion High School, it will provide an innovative approach to education. The name "Orion" was chosen from hundreds of community suggestions and is inspired by the P3 Orion airplane significant to the old Pasco Naval Station. Our mascot, the Aviators, complements the high school's name and its focus on launching students into their futures.

Historical Significance
Recently, we learned about Pasco's aviation history. On April 6, 1926, the first commercial air mail flight departed Pasco for Elko, Nevada. This historic flight, representing the potential of the future, departed from what is now the location of Orion High School. Like that historic flight, Orion High School will provide students with an innovative approach that will unlock their potential and clear runways for their future.

Our Commitment
As we honor the groundbreaking of this innovative high school, this moment signifies more than just the construction of another building; it represents a steadfast commitment to the betterment of our educational landscape and the nurturing of our students' potential. With the addition of Orion High School, we are crafting and enhancing all of our high schools’ environments where innovation, learning, and community come together to shape the leaders of tomorrow.