Our Community Charter School

A hidden gem in the valley. Our child made many lasting friendships, and the teachers and staff give their all to this school. I don't think you'll find a warmer, more welcoming place in the whole valley. The best thing we found was 'responsive classrooms', which helps the children learn how to work together as a team and work out their issues with each other and the teacher. Music is once a week, K-4 does Kodaly with House of Blues donated percussion. We wished there was an art teacher, but this is the new reality of public education. The class size is small, at 23 students, for a public school. Classes all have aides, too. Some aides are fully credentialed. This school struggles like all schools do from lack of funding, but the parents, administrators and teachers, and friends of the school work hard to make it a place where any child from any background can receive an education. Funding for professional development would be a big help, but thanks to our government, those funds are few and far between.

Our Community School is a place where children come first. Learning is whole child, integrated, loving and respectful.
--Submitted by a parent

My kids love this school. Lots of hands on learning. Not to much homework. Just a great school.
--Submitted by a parent

Wonderful school with caring teachers and staff. They emphasize communication skills and manners and let them be thinkers. I really like the responsive classroom approach . They also use singapore math and expose the children to music (they have a music room), gardening and PE (7th graders have PE everyday). The school is WASC Accredited, won charter of the year in 2009 and has an API score of 852!
--Submitted by a parent

I absolutely love this school! They take great care in ensuring that the students learn to be compassionate and caring. The music program is also wonderful.
--Submitted by a parent

From the time we visited OCS, we fell in love with the way each class was structured. Children are so engaged and teachers facilitate the learning process seamlessly. The principal is tied so closely to the curriculum and can explain the methods chosen for each grade level per subject. The administration utilizes best practices in education and implement readily what is best for the children. It is still a new school (6th year) and has already gained WASC accreditation earlier this year (highly uncommon for a public school), alloted a permanent site for the soon to be k-8 program, and received numerous grants as a result of exemplary strides made in the last few years. OCS represents the diversity of LA and is an inclusive environment designed to celebrate our differences and not tear us apart.
--Submitted by a parent

We switched from a Waldorf school to this school and were so thrilled to discover a terrific educational experience. This school has great teachers, staff and parent community. It feels like a private school because of the intimate community and attentive faculty. The school's philosophy supports a low-stress but challenging, fun, and very nurturing education
--Submitted by a parent

THis school makes all children feel welcomed and appreciated .
--Submitted by a parent

Our grandchildren go to this school and they love it. It's a school where children are treated as individuals and their strengths are appreciated.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a place where - from the teacher point of view - we are able to approach each student according to their needs. We have the freedom to use projects through which to teach standards and allow the students to build their communication skills through group work. As teachers our voices truly matter and our opinions are genuinely asked for to address school policy.
--Submitted by a parent