The County of San Diego is seeking community input around the future of San Pasqual Academy, a 238-acre residential campus that has provided foster youth with housing, education and enrichment for 25 years.
With an onsite high school, mental health services, independent living classes, and work readiness programs, San Pasqual Academy has supported more than 1,000 foster youth since opening in 2001. Since its opening, laws like the Continuum of Care Reform and Family First Prevention Services Act have shifted the system away from group-based care like the academy, and toward kinship and resource-family placements.
With this in mind, the Board of Supervisors has asked County staff to gather ideas on how the Academy can continue supporting foster youth while creating space for complimentary community uses, such as workforce training or transitional housing, that ensure the campus remains effective for the region. County staff will analyze feedback and present the results and recommendations to the Board of Supervisors in spring 2026.
To date, the County has hosted community forums, the next one is March 3, and published a project page dedicated to this topic on Engage San Diego County where visitors can provide feedback, take a survey and learn more about these efforts.
How to get involved:
- Learn about San Pasqual Academy through the County’s engagement page.
- Take the survey: Available through March 20
- Attend the virtual meeting: March 3, from 5:30 – 7 p.m., via Zoom.
“We want community to help shape the future of San Pasqual Academy,” said Alfredo Guardado, director of Child and Family Well-Being. “This is a pivotal moment. The landscape of care has changed over the past two decades and your ideas will help us reimagine a campus that uplifts foster youth and benefits the broader community. We encourage everyone—members of the public, service providers and partners—to share their vision and be part of this work.”
County Child and Family Well-Being is dedicated to promoting the safety and stability of children, youth and families in our community and their ability to thrive.
