
USI: 4/19/2024

Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District Set to Open New Diploma-Bound Program for Student-Athletes at Parkview School in Fall 2024
The Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (PYLUSD) is pleased to announce the launch of the Universal Sports Institute, opening in Fall 2024. The Universal Sports Institute, or USI, is a new diploma-bound program available through the district’s independent study program at Parkview School.
USI will offer a free, customizable athletic and academic development experience for students in grades three through twelve. The program will focus on maximizing sports performance, teaching leadership skills, and promoting academic achievement through personalized exercise and fitness programs, mental performance training, nutrition planning, recovery programs, and more.
“The opening of our new Universal Sports Institute reflects our commitment to meeting the diverse needs and interests of our students, as evidenced by the increasing demand for specialized educational options. This facility will also provide a valuable service to our over 4,000 current student-athletes at our comprehensive high schools by providing sports-specific workout programs created by certified strength and conditioning coaches and opportunities for sports recovery and individualized training,” Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss shared. “USI will provide our students who might not otherwise have access to such resources, the opportunity to benefit from high-quality services.”
It will be the mission of USI to elevate athletes' game and empower their future at the program’s campus located in Yorba Linda, which will feature state-of-the-art facilities and equipment like strength and conditioning rooms, speed and agility training areas, tumbling mat space, cold plunges, a therapeutic swim spa, turf training areas, batting cages, a golf simulator, and more. Experienced coaches, trainers, and instructors will assist athletes in developing the essential skills needed to achieve their goals in their sport while creating personalized portfolios and athletic profiles tailored to their unique aspirations.
“I look forward to working with our athletes and their families in PYLUSD, fostering their growth and creating additional opportunities for our students in sports and life,” said USI Program Director Dr. Taylor Holloway. “We are dedicated to becoming a vital resource for the athletic community and are excited to be a part of our school district’s culture of excellence and achievement for all.”
USI student-athletes will take their academic courses through Parkview School, the district's independent study program located in Placentia next to Tuffree Middle School. The school offers increased flexibility for athletes of all ages to balance their academic responsibilities with their training and team practices through non-traditional scheduling, self-paced learning, remote learning options, individualized support, and time management skills development.
Elementary school student-athletes at USI will benefit from daily live remote instruction, on-campus classes and electives, and additional support through virtual or in-person tutoring at Parkview. Secondary student-athletes at USI will have access to weekly live remote instruction, on-campus support, and the opportunity to participate in honors courses designed for students who can learn at an accelerated pace. Each student will be assigned to a highly qualified, credentialed district teacher to ensure adequate student learning. Notably, high school students will have access to Advanced Placement (AP) and A-G and NCAA-approved courses for those pursuing admission to universities and participation in athletics at the collegiate level.
Should a more traditional educational environment be desired, students in grades six through twelve may also choose to participate in up to two courses concurrently at one of the district's six middle schools or four high schools. Students may also take advantage of athletic participation which, at the middle school level, includes the district’s newly revamped Middle School Athletics Program, and at the high school level, consists of the high-caliber, award-winning, CIF sports teams at El Dorado, Esperanza, Valencia, and Yorba Linda high schools.
“Funding for this initiative will be responsibly sourced through average daily attendance and facility funds, thus ensuring that our facilities and programs continue to thrive without burdening general teaching and learning funds,” noted Superintendent Dr. Cherniss. “We're proud to lead the way in innovation and student-centered approaches with the addition of USI, empowering our community to embrace positive change and educational excellence."
Students and families interested in USI are encouraged to learn more at usi.pylusd.org. Applications for the 2024-2025 school year are now being accepted.