San Pasqual Academy

The County is dedicated to supporting the safety, stability and well-being of children, youth and families across our community.

For 25 years, San Pasqual Academy has been home to more than 1,000 foster youth. The campus offers long-term placement, an on-site high school, independent living skills training, therapeutic services, work readiness programs, extra-curricular activities and a supportive, stable environment.

Over the past decade, federal and state laws have shifted away from group home settings and encouraged more family‑like placements. As more foster youth are now living with relatives, fewer qualify for placement at San Pasqual Academy.

These changes give us a chance to rethink what the Academy can be, and how it can best serve families across our region.

The County’s goal is to make sure the community’s voice guides that process. To ensure that, the County Board of Supervisors has called for additional input on future possibilities for the campus, including options that may change the current model, including closing the Academy.

In August, the Board received an update on the community engagement process and feedback shared. The work will now move through the next phases of planning, evaluation, and future recommendations.

We appreciate the time and interest our community has brought to this important work. As the process moves forward, the County will continue to share information and keep the community informed at key milestones.

Thank You for Being Part of the Conversation

To Our Community,

Thank you to everyone who took part in the San Pasqual Academy community engagement process. These conversations brought forward a wide range of voices and perspectives. We extend a special thank you to current and former foster youth and the SPA alumni for sharing their experiences and ideas. We also appreciate the advocates and partners who contributed their time and insight.

More than 600 people joined in person and online for the engagement sessions. We shared updates through email, social media, and other outreach, including Google and Meta, reaching over 409,000 people and generating notable community interest in the work.

Whether you joined a meeting, completed a survey, shared information or encouraged someone else to get involved, your contribution mattered. Collectively, your input provided a clearer understanding of the priorities, needs, and ideas expressed by the community.

On August 18, 2026, we provided the San Diego County Board of Supervisors with a report summarizing what we heard for their consideration as they determine next steps. The memorandum and engagement summary are available in the Documents section of this page.

The next step will be to release a Request for Information. That outreach was developed from the feedback we received and will be used to gather potential innovative and sustainable approaches for the future of SPA and its campus.

We know a lot has been asked during this process of those who care about SPA and its future. We are sincerely grateful for your participation, continued involvement and shared commitment to our youth, families and the entire community.

With appreciation,

Alfredo Guardado, MSW, Director

Child and Family Well-Being

County of San Diego Health & Human Services Agency

O: 858 616-5815 C:760 207-1937