• Irvine Insider
  • Posts
  • IUSD Ranks No. 1 Statewide in Science, Math, and ELA Among Large School Districts

IUSD Ranks No. 1 Statewide in Science, Math, and ELA Among Large School Districts

Issue # 0496

Author

Joshua Tjia
15 Oct

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🎉 🏆 🌟IUSD Ranks No. 1 Statewide in Science, Math, and ELA Among Large School Districts

🌌🎶🎥 Star Wars: A New Hope Comes to Life with Live Orchestra at Musco Center – Oct. 24

🥦🌼🙌 Help Feed Orange County: Volunteer at the Global Produce & Floral Show

😈💜🍦 Sweet, Sassy, and So Kuromi! Limited-Time Treats Land at Hello Kitty Cafe

📚🌙🌮 Late-Night Fuel Just Got an Upgrade: Taco Bell’s Live Más Café Opens at University Center!

👷‍♀️ 👷‍♂️🧱 Free Family Fun at Pretend City’s Kid Builder’s Day This Friday!

🔬👩‍🔬💡New Findings from UC Irvine Could Redefine Alzheimer’s Treatment Timing

🌙🔦🥾 Flashlight Adventure: Evening Hike to Loma Ridge, Oct. 28

🎨👩‍🎨🎃 Family Fun Alert: Create Your Own Character Pumpkin at The Artist Labs

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🏡🌱👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Turn Your Yard into Everyone’s Happy Place This Fall!

🏃‍♀️🥇🌟 Running It Back! UCI's Kaia Schmidt Named Big West Athlete of the Week (Again!)

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏐🔥🌟 From Uni High to IVC Star: Alya Mersin Shines for the Lasers

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚨⚠️📞 Scam Alert: Fake Calls Claiming to Be from Irvine Police Department

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

🌟🏪🎉Irvine’s Best Kept Secrets: Is Your Business One of Them?

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

What do you get when you drop a pumpkin?

Squash!

We hope this joke brings some laughter to your day! 😁

IUSD Ranks No. 1 Statewide in Science, Math, and ELA Among Large School Districts

🎉 IUSD once again tops the charts in state assessments, ranking No. 1 in Science, Math, and English Language Arts/Literacy among large California public school districts (35,000+ students). This marks the ninth straight year IUSD has held a top spot since CAASPP testing began in 2015 (excluding the pandemic pause). ✅ These scores, while just one measure, guide efforts to better understand and support every student’s learning. 🍎❤️

Star Wars: A New Hope Comes to Life with Live Orchestra at Musco Center – Oct. 24

⭐ Experience Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert — Friday, Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at Musco Center for the Arts (415 N. Glassell St., Orange).

Watch the 1977 classic film on the big screen with a live symphony orchestra performing John Williams’ iconic score in perfect sync. Relive the adventures of Luke, Leia, Han, and Vader in this epic cinematic concert.

🎟️ Tickets start at $55 | 🔗 muscocenter.org | ☎️ 714.997.6812

Help Feed Orange County: Volunteer at the Global Produce & Floral Show

🍎🌸 Volunteers are needed for the Global Produce & Floral Show to help recover fresh produce for families in need across Orange County.

📅 Saturday, Oct. 18 | 🕞 3:30–8:00 PM 📍 Anaheim Convention Center — join in to make a healthy difference!

Sweet, Sassy, and So Kuromi! Limited-Time Treats Land at Hello Kitty Cafe

💜✨ This month, @sanrio’s Friend of the Month Kuromi is serving up sweetness! Enjoy the NEW Kuromi Taro & Vanilla Soft Serve and other adorable limited-time treats — available only at #HelloKittyCafe. ⭐️

Late-Night Fuel Just Got an Upgrade: Taco Bell’s Live Más Café Opens at University Center!

Taco Bell’s Live Más Café is now open at University Center!

🌮☕ Perfect for study sessions or late-night cravings—enjoy exclusive drinks, tasty bites, and all-nighters done right.

Free Family Fun at Pretend City’s Kid Builder’s Day This Friday!

Kid Builder’s Day is happening Friday, Oct. 17 at Pretend City Children’s Museum, in partnership with First 5 Orange County!

  • Free admission! for Families with Children 0 - 5 Expect crowds and staggered entry for safety — walk-ins welcome, but there may be a short wait.

  • Parking: Two lots (front & back) plus street parking; follow all posted signs and respect nearby businesses.

  • Activities: Explore 17 learning spaces + hands-on activities from First 5 that support child development. Don’t forget your free developmental screening!

  • Thanks to First 5 and PNC Bank for sponsoring this fun family event.

New Findings from UC Irvine Could Redefine Alzheimer’s Treatment Timing

UC Irvine researchers Elizabeth Andrews and Elizabeth Head found that women with Down syndrome may experience Alzheimer’s disease progression faster than men. This discovery could influence when treatments start and how clinical trial results are interpreted — leading to improved therapies for people with Down syndrome and the wider population.

Flashlight Adventure: Evening Hike to Loma Ridge, Oct. 28

🌅🔦 Join the 3.5-mile Evening Hike to Loma Ridge on Tuesday, October 28, and explore Hicks Haul Road as the sun sets and flashlights guide your way.

👉 Register here

Family Fun Alert: Create Your Own Character Pumpkin at The Artist Labs

🎨 Don’t miss the Character Pumpkin Painting Night on Friday, October 17 (6:00–7:30 PM) at The Artist Labs, 5311 University Dr., Irvine. 🎃 Paint with friends and family—$55 per person, all materials (including pumpkins!) provided.

👉 Reserve your spot: 📱 Call/Text 949-293-2380 📧 Email [email protected] Spots are limited—sign up before they’re gone!

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. November 5, 5-9 PM: Band Spectacular, Irvine HS

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://timbmusic.org/events/

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

  1. October 16, 6-8 PM: Fall Orchestra & Vocal Concert, WHS Performing Arts Center

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.whs-music.org/

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. October 16, 7 PM: Fall Concert, WHS Performing Arts Center

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://woodbridgechoirs.weebly.com/calendar.html

Upcoming Irvine High Choral’s Music Calendar

  1. October 16, 23, 3:30-4:30 PM: Vaquero JR Voices Rehearsals

  2. October 30, 7 PM: Vaquero JR Voices Concert

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.ihschoralmusic.org/calendar.html 

Turn Your Yard into Everyone’s Happy Place This Fall!

Fall is the perfect time to create your dream backyard oasis. 🌿 Whether it’s rose bushes and a koi pond for you, a fire pit for your partner, or lawn games and movie nights for the kids, you can blend everyone’s ideas beautifully. Get inspired with the Yardtopia Initiative — featured in the fall issue of The Dirt at IRWD.com/thedirt.

Running It Back! UCI's Kaia Schmidt Named Big West Athlete of the Week (Again!)

Kaia Schmidt earns her second Big West Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week honor this season — congratulations to her on running it back! 🔄🏃‍♀️

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Men’s Water Polo

  • Wed, Oct 15 – vs Princeton, 6:00 PM

Men’s Soccer

  • Wed, Oct 15 – vs CSUN, 6:00 PM

Women’s Soccer

  • Thu, Oct 16 – vs UC Santa Barbara, 6:00 PM

  • Sun, Oct 19 – vs Cal Poly, 1:00 PM

From Uni High to IVC Star: Alya Mersin Shines for the Lasers

🏐 Irvine Valley’s Athlete of the Week is sophomore outside hitter Alya Mersin! She led the Lasers to two big wins, boosting IVC’s record to 5-2 in Orange Empire Conference play.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Women’s Soccer

  • Fri, Oct 17 – vs Fullerton, 3:00 PM

  • Fri, Oct 24 – vs Orange Coast, 3:00 PM

  • Fri, Oct 31 – vs Santa Ana, 1:00 PM

Women’s Soccer

  • Tue, Oct 21 – vs Golden West, 3:00 PM

  • Tue, Oct 28 – vs Saddleback, 3:00 PM

Men’s Basketball

  • Thu, Oct 23 – vs Chaffey (Scrimmage), 5:30 PM

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With October Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

October 2025

Wednesday, October 15

  • Girls Golf – 3:30 PM vs. Portola

  • Girls Flag Football – 6:30 PM vs. Laguna Beach at Irvine High School Stadium

Wednesday, October 22

  • Girls Tennis – 3:30 PM vs. St. Margaret’s Episcopal

Scam Alert: Fake Calls Claiming to Be from Irvine Police Department

🚨 Scam Alert! Scammers are posing as Irvine Police officers and demanding payment for fake fines or court fees.

✅ Remember:

  • IPD will never call to collect money or fines.

  • Scammers can fake caller ID to look official.

  • If you get a suspicious call, write down the caller’s name and badge number, hang up, and verify by calling 📞 (949) 724-7000.

  • Never share money or personal info over the phone.

📢 Spread the word to help keep Irvine safe!

Irvine’s Best Kept Secrets: Is Your Business One of Them?

We know our community is brimming with businesses that have fascinating stories and big hearts. If you’re a local business owner making waves, crafting unique experiences, or simply putting a smile on our faces, we want to chat with you! “Irvine Insider” is eager to shine a light on the unsung heroes of our city. Let’s collaborate and let the community know what makes your business special.

Click the link below and fill out the Local Business Spotlight Application Form to be featured and let’s celebrate the spirit of Irvine together!

Irvine Insider is sent to a local audience of Irvine residence Monday through Friday with 50% - 60% open rate. Our newsletter is a great way to reach Irvine residents.

  • Kaiser Permanente Irvine Farmers Market

  • Saturday Farmers Market at Mariners Church Irvine

    • When: Saturday, 8 AM - 12 PM

    • Where: 5428 Bonita Canyon Dr, Irvine, CA 92603

  • Great Park Certified Farmers Market

  • Manassero Farmers

    • When: Daily, 9 AM - 4:30 PM

    • Where: 33 Irvine Valley, Irvine, CA 92604

  • Tanaka Farms

    • When: Daily, 9 AM - 5 PM

    • Where: 5380 3/4 University Dr, Irvine, CA 92612

    • More Info:Tanaka Farms

We could use your help

We’ve got big plans as we get up to speed! But we need your help!

One huge way that you can help us is to spread the word for us.

Know somebody who lives in the Irvine and surrounding areas and would benefit from being kept in the know?

Please share Irvine Insider with them! It’s simple!