Students and parents praise Irvine International Academy; testing allegations closed, charter petition announced

Multiple students, parents and school representatives addressed the Orange County Board of Education on July 9 to express support for Irvine International Academy (IIA) and to report the outcome of an investigation into testing allegations.
Student speakers and parents described academic gains, praise for special‑education services and high IEP participation. Ellie Cone, a student speaker, said IIA helped her improve academically and credited teachers for being "amazingly skilled." A representative from Suncoast Prep Academy thanked the board for "opposing Senate bill AB 84" and described high staff morale and a 95% IEP sign rate.
Several speakers addressed recent CAASPP testing allegations involving an IIA classroom. Student Lucas Chow told trustees, "We did not cheat. Miss Greengard did not cheat," and reported that the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and the OCPD investigation found "no evidence of a security breach, coaching, or cheating" and closed the investigation. Lucas thanked school leaders and ETS for clearing the matter.
Irvine International Academy parents also thanked the board for reviewing allegations brought to its attention and said the investigations either found no concern or were remedied; Stacy Cohn, PTO vice president, said the outcome "speaks to the IIA's commitment to maintaining a transparent and accountable environment."
Separately during the meeting, the board noted staff had received a new countywide charter petition — the STEM Bridal Academy — submitted in June. Board staff said the public hearing on that petition is scheduled for Sept. 3, with board action on Oct. 8.
No formal board action on the testing matter was recorded at the meeting; speakers described the investigations as closed and the test‑security review complete.