The Oxnard Union High School District (OUHSD) was established in 1901 to serve the growing communities of Oxnard and Port Hueneme in Ventura County, California. The district began with a single school, Oxnard High School, which opened its doors in 1902. During these early years, the school primarily served the children of farmers and laborers working in the region's expanding agricultural industry.

Today, OUHSD serves approximately 15,000 students across 13 school sites, including comprehensive high schools, specialized academies, and alternative education programs. The district has continued to evolve with the addition of newer schools such as Pacifica High School (opened in 2001), Rancho Campana High School (opened in 2015), and most recently Del Sol High School (opened in 2023), offering specialized academic programs including academies focused on health sciences, engineering, arts and entertainment, and business. The district serves a diverse student population from the communities of Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Camarillo, and surrounding unincorporated areas.

Superintendent

About Dr. Kelsen

Dr. Virginia Kelsen is committed to making a positive impact on individuals' lives and the community through education. As superintendent, her work is centered on the District's commitment to creating prosperous futures for every student through equity, inquiry, and wellness. She works with staff and families to create additional ways for students to gain vital skills and pursue postsecondary opportunities that lead to family-sustaining wage jobs. She joined the district as Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services in 2024, helping her gain firsthand understanding of what makes the district strong and where the opportunities are to grow even stronger.

Dr. Kelsen's career in public education began in 1991, teaching English/language arts at Chaffey High School, where she taught for fourteen years and served as English department chair for eight of them. She went on to become a high school assistant principal  then principal of Rancho Cucamonga High School and has served at the superintendent's cabinet level since 2014 as a director, executive director, and assistant superintendent in two other districts prior to joining OUHSD. She earned her Ph.D. in Education: Urban Leadership from Claremont Graduate University with research interests spanning leadership development, literacy, career technical education, and postsecondary access.

Dr. Kelsen leads with the belief that lasting progress comes from communities working together:  students, families, staff, and educators united by a shared commitment to what's possible. She respects and values the individuals and richly diverse communities that make up OUHSD and the culture of care built by its dedicated team. This belief continues to guide every decision she makes on behalf of the District.