Parent donates $610,000 to Newport Harbor High

A Newport Harbor High School parent has given a surprise gift of more than $600,000 to the campus as his children prepare to graduate.

David Pyle, the founder and chief executive of American Career College, donated $610,000 to the Newport Harbor Educational Foundation and women’s field hockey and men’s lacrosse programs at the foundation’s annual donor appreciation event.

Pyle, who with last Friday’s donation has given $1,153,000 to the school over the last 14 years, was being honored for his philanthropy.

“As my last two teens graduate from Newport Harbor High School, I want to show my gratitude to the school that gave all four of my children an excellent education,” he said in a prepared statement. “Newport Harbor High School is our community asset, and I want to give back after receiving so many benefits.”

Pyle, who is also the executive board chairman of West Coast University, honored women’s field hockey Coach Amanda Boyer and men’s lacrosse Coach Mark Todd with $100,000 each for their programs over the next four years.

— Britney Barnes

Twitter: @britneyjbarnes