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Optimal Christian Academy

Private | K-8 | 348 students

Student diversity

Looks like we have no information about the race or ethnicity of the student body.

 
 

Living in Compton

Situated in an inner city neighborhood. The median home value is $184,000. The average monthly rent for a 2 bedroom apartment is $1,330.

Source: Sperling's Best Places
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Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
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2010:
Based on 1 rating

Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

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21 reviews of this school


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Posted August 23, 2010

Optimal is a great school from pre-school through 4th grade. I had 2 children at this school and they learned so much. Both of my children were reading and writing very well in Kindergarten. I was so proud and I enjoyed bragging and showing their work. The Christian education was a plus, they also tested above grade level on their Stanford test. Middle school starts in the 5th grade at Optimal, I didn't like that very well, because I felt that children should have one instructor that learn and focus on them and they lack the maturity to change instructors and teacher's. In the beginning they had some challenges adjusting, but they finally adjusted. Communication was a bit difficult in middle school, and sometimes a little unpleasant. But I hear from parents at other school having the same issue with communication. I felt that my children were safe at Optimal.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 21, 2009

Optimal Christian Academy is a great school! The parents and staff work together on keeping the children safe and focused. Some people base their opinions on personal experiences with staff. But I do feel that if the School gave a little (staff support) more it would increase in numbers!


Posted August 19, 2009

I just enrolled my two kids in the pre-school department.I was intrested in a school like this. I really like the school and the teachers, I think that this is the best school I could find in this enviroment. The only down part I'd like to admit is that is rather expensive for a low income family like ourselves but I think that the outcome is totally worth it.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 2, 2009

I am writing because I don't feel that enough parents take the time to comment on particular concerns when things are going well. We all encounter some problems, but overall we focus on the child receiving a quality, Christian based education. The teachers really concern themselves with the well being of their students. They intervene in every aspect with continual parent contact. Optimal is not perfect, but Optimal is striving for perfection. Optimal has teachers and staff who take extra time to involve themselves in the total care of the children at school.
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted April 25, 2009

I must say the great reputation that the school once had is no longer the case hence the leadership has been passed on to the original leadership's children. The school has gone from great to just plain fair. My child was enrolled at this school during the new millenium and preschool department has no clue of developmentally appropriate practices for young children. In fact their are clueless. Not to mention the environment was never friendly and welcoming. The preschool teachers seem really disconnected from the children. I had a terrible experience at this school and would not recommend this school to anyone.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 17, 2009

My child has attended Optimal for 4 years now and I have no compliants. I believe that Optimal is giving my child a Biblical and educational experience. In this day and time when so many young people are growing up in areas where schools could care less and knowing that Optimal is giving every oppertunity for your child to succeed is the best school for the money.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 31, 2009

Optimal is a great school. The Principal and teachers are the best. My deepest concern is, the office staff is not always friendly. The Principal and Teachers make up for the unkindlyness the office shows to the parents at times. Also, kudos to the principal for stepping in to teach the Language class. He's doing an excellent job with my child and the other students. Way to go Principal and Teachers!!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 31, 2009

Optimal is a great school. The Principal and teachers are the best. My deepest concern is, the office staff is not always friendly. The Principal and Teachers make up for the unkindlyness the office shows to the parents at times. Also, kodos to the principal for stepping in to teach the Language class. He's doing an excellent job with my child and the other students. Way to go Principal and Teachers!!!!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 16, 2009

My son has attended Optimal for the past two years and has learned so much. While car pooling the other day, a co-worker commented on his verbal and reading skills. A friend of hers is also five and is just learning colors. For him to attend I must drive every morning from Inglewood to Compton and then to Downtown Los Angeles. It is over an hour of street travel each day. This is a small price to pay, for the education he is receiving. Great Job Optimal, keep up the great job you are doing. Happy and Proud Father
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 21, 2008

Several of my children have graduated from Optimal Christian Academy. I was very pleased with the academic program as well as the family atmosphere. I would highly recommend this school to any parent.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 11, 2008

My daughter is now a senior in high school and preparing to soon graduate after attending Optimal for 9 years. I have nothing but positive things to say about the school and its leadership. Initially I was reluctant at my child attending school at such a young age but she adjusted and too loved the school it was like home away from home. Ehe children there are treated as if they were their own. I will always be grateful to the schools curriculum in a christian atmosphere.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 29, 2008

Optimal is a Great school. I attended Optimal for 9 years. Im 24 and my younger brother is now enrolled there. They have the best staff, and my most memorable teachers are from there.


Posted January 24, 2008

Optimal Christian Academy is a great school. My entire family has attended Optimal and now my three kids are there. The curriculum is great and the kids are much more advanced than the public schools. Optimal is a family oriented facility everyone there is a family. Kudos to Optimal
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 18, 2007

Optimal is an excellent school. My nephew has attended this school since he was 22 months old. He has learned a lot from all of his teachers. He is now in the 6th grade and is still going well in his classes. He is on the basketball team. His team won the championship (2007). The principal at Optimal is a diligent worker and does his best in all areas. He has many jobs to do and is great at all of them. I thank God for him. He has a good relationship with the children and he is a fair person. He listens to what the children have to say. Overall, he is a great principal (leader). 'Go Optimal'
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 29, 2007

Optimal christian academy is a fantastic learning center. The faculity has the utmost concern/responsibilty for pour children. My son has atteded since pre-school and will be a 4th grader this fall. I want to thank the optimal christian academy family for and enriched learning enviornment for 'our' children. Thanks!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 21, 2007

Optimal is a great school. I feel real comfortable when I drop my daughter off. The school is always open accept on Holidays and that works out perfect for me.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 27, 2007

I have a 1st grader and a 2 year old that both attend Optimal Christian.. I love the parent particpation and feeling like your kids are with family rather than leaving them with strangers. The best part is that they offer after school day care at the facility so you never have to worry if your kids were picked up from school on time.
—Submitted by Michelle, a parent


Posted June 20, 2006

This is a great school but I'm not to happy about the location/surrounding area.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 9, 2006

Great teachers and academic programs
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 1, 2005

The academic program is exceptional. The extracurricular activities need alot of improvement. Since this is a private school with a large student base, they can afford to give the children at least one or two activities free of charge. I guess they make up for it by having strict academic standards. The children do have large quantities of homework which prevents them from having to much idle time. It's great to be able to have your child attend one school facility from pre-school through 8th grade. With hard work your child can be part of the Honor Society that whole amount of time, building a critical foundation for success.
—Submitted by Ivy L. Parent, a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

We currently do not have any test score information for this school. Unlike public schools, private schools are not always required to report data about their schools or not required to take the same tests as public schools. Many private schools take different standardized tests; however, that information is often made available only to families of enrolled students. We strive to acquire additional private school data whenever available.

Oops! We currently do not have any student information for this school. We rely on the state Department of Education, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), and in some cases school administrators such as registrars and principals for this data.

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 15N/AN/A
Source: NCES, 2007-2008

School basics

School Leader's name
  • Miss Carolyn Dowell
Affiliation
  • Baptist
Associations
  • ACSI

Programs

Specific academic themes or areas of focus

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  • Religious
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1300 East Palmer Street
Compton, CA 90221
Phone: (310) 603-0378

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