American Indian Public Charter School

this school is excellent, the principal, the teachers, the school staff, and all of the students, they are respect each other and every body work very hard, why the OUSD still want to close this school? The OUSD should solve the finance problem not give the kids trouble!
—Submitted by a parent

This school has had its charter revoked by the Oakland Unified School District as of March 2013 for improper financial dealings, and the school will appeal. It is questionable if they can have the decision reversed by the 2013/14 school year. Check the OUSD website for more info.

I personally love this school. I have been at this school for all of middle school and it had been a great experience! At first , this school seems hard , but after a few weeks things seem to get a lot better. Homework load is adequate and it depends on the student for how long the assignments take. This school offers great support with resource and after school tutoring help. By the time STAR test comes , there is no extra prep needed because the teachers do all the work. This school also does a great job in keeping all their students in shape with their amazing PE curriculum! Along with academics , they make sure that all students behave , they give detentions for any kind of horseplay and give Saturday School to those who receive many, though , the teachers and staff are very kindhearted. This school also teaches how to work as a community and not for your own benefit and I think that's what I like best. I would recommend this school to all students and promise that it will benefit them greatly!

I am so grateful that my son is attending this great school! My son is in 7th grade, and has been attending American Indian since the 5th grade. I love the way the school is structured to ready the students for College.
—Submitted by a parent

American Indian is a great school. I am a proud parent of a 7th grader; ever since he arrived, his grades have improved and he is learning discipline, responsibility, and what it means to work hard.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is a student at this school. This is a GREAT school. The transition from elementary to middle school was a task for both of us. But, that paid off because my son has help me to be more aware of my time management and organizational skills too. Again, we are learning together. I only wish that this school was around when he was in elementary school. We are just thankful that he'll be there for his high school years. I have seen some positive changes in the school over the years. So with that being said, I would like to thank the AIPCS' staff, students and parents for making this school the best. It is a relief for me to drive away knowing that my son is happy and that I know he is in a safe environment. I didn't have to mention that AIPCS is academically number 1.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is great all of the teachers are fantastic, the students are motivated and intelligent. Some of the best teachers there are Mr .Fino ,Ms. Vellanoweth, and the 2 physical education teachers, Mr.Gebre and Mr. Eng.

Great school my kids have learned more in 10 weeks than they learned in a year last year. Definitely hard work but my children are proud of their achievements and happy. Oh yeah, and fit -great PE program. Love it!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is bad for a young kid's mind. Why I say this is because, the main focus of this school is "work work work" "study study study" "high score high score high scores" "number 1" and so forth. Even though this school is number one in Oakland, doesn't mean it's a "good" environment for your kids to be in. Of course uniforms are good because it's simple and you save money, but that makes the kids feels sad and feel like they can't be kids anymore. Another good thing is that they give a lot of homework; of course homework good. You learn better by practicing, and homework helps you learn the materials better. But 3 hours or more, just for homework and probably one subject? That can hurt and damage your kids mind. It causes they to stress about everyday, feel more tired than usual, and feel like they have no life. Also detention are ridiculous in this school; sure that detentions make your kids scared, so they don't do it and it's a way of disciplining them, but detentions for not reasonable reasons such as looking at the clock, dropping your pencil and book, drinking water in class, that is unbelievable. Their bathroom stinks; there is no windows or air freshers at all.

This school is designed to keep students totally out of balance. Students are expected sit perfectly still all day, unable to communicate with each other. It is depressing at times. For example, the main building has rats running through the walls and no heat . However, there is a burning smell and loud noises coming from the furnace. Students are scared to speak out about being bullied. The students desks are rusted/bending, to small and/or have profanity written on them. Some teachers have anger issues and smack lunchpails or books out of students' hands. There are a few select good teachers. In my opinion, the students are not receiving all of their school funding.
—Submitted by a parent

NO COMMUNICATION AND HORRIBLE TEACHERS My son has had four teachers in 6th grade because they have been fired or quit. 3 of the 4 teachers were teaching their 1st year. The worst part is that the administrators don't let parents know teachers have changed and you will find out from your child! Several administrative staff were also replaced this year There are no parent teacher conferences and if you want to discuss anything with a teacher it is like your requesting a meeting with the US President. PE is running around the neighborhood (watch out for cars) or running around cones on the blacktop in their uniforms. No fields or other athletic area. I was looking for a school with good discipline but it wasn't displayed by any of the 4 teachers. His 1st teacher was using profanity and his 3rd teacher told me he was told to lower his standards for his students. My son won't be returning next year .
—Submitted by a parent

This is bogus information. The charter school system has no one policing there activities. They cook the books, attendance records, and test scores so those who are running it can personally benefit from it and they do so handsomely.
—Submitted by a teacher

This school is horrible. There is bullying, disrespect, and rudeness that even the teachers take part in. Teachers expect students to be like robots, social life, fun, happiness, and freedom of speech are all discouraged. For people who may have kids with a attitude or behavior problem this is NOT the way to fix it. 20 minute breaks, cold classrooms, disrespectful teachers, and rude classmates is only a way to make your child resent you. I know from experience. Please don't support this school by sending any more students into it's horrible environment.
—Submitted by a parent

This school works their students in ways that is unnecessary for children. These children have bad conduct, and bullying is quite common among many of the kids because this school does not teach any sort of respect for others, despite having so many rules at school. They are only told to follow the rules, but they are not taught about respect for others whatsoever. When the teacher's not looking, the kids call each other names, play terrible pranks on each other (even pass it through the internet for the public to see them), and think it's completely okay to single out students in their grade. Other than just four academic classes, nothing else is taught, like respect or common sense. They do not understand that school rules are to help their discipline. They learn most of their sex education in a science textbook. They emphasize only four subjects and spend just about all their time on these four topics, not much else is encouraged.

Yes, we give detentions for the most minor infraction. Yes, I am mean and strict and demand every single assignment done. Yes, your child will come to school on Saturday. Yes, your child might be overwhelmed with the rigor because they did not enter junior high at grade level. Yes, we do make your child attend extra tutoring in ELA and math during and after school. No, we cannot meet with you regarding every single detention because I need to grade, tutor, prep, discipline, etc. and my leisure time is scarce and valuable. Yes, many teachers stay hours after school is over with students (6-7 PM) for homework help. Yes, we have highest API in CA (currently); we push students testing basic, below basic, and far below basic to score proficient and advanced. No, we don't believe in ANY excuse or reason besides death. Yes, we hold students with a low socioeconomic background to the same high standards as Piedmont students. No, we don't have sports. No, your child isn't going to be a pro football player. Your child will go to UCLA, Cal, MIT, Dartmouth, Cornell, etc. like our high school graduates. High self-esteem comes from knowing your intelligence and potential.

I hate this school to say the least. There is no parent involvement and there are no field trips before state tests. This school is too worried about putting a "good" image instead of building their students academical potential without degrading them and insulting them and putting racial minorities down. I DO NOT recommend this school to any people unless you want to not be involved in your childs education.
—Submitted by a parent

i used to go here. Unless you want your social life to disappear right before your eyes and spend endless hours studying, then this is not the school for you. There are no sports. A 20 minute lunch is the only break that you get during the whole day, which, i feel is not right. You cannot function on just a 20 minute break the whole day. They even banned sports during P.E. which is also preposterous. There are good teachers at this school, but they really do not prepare you enough if you go onto a private school, I did. I really struggled my freshman year, no thanks to this school. Many of the, in my mind, good teachers that actually make class interesting and insightful get fired for no particular reason at all. You also get detentions like crazy for very very minor things like 1 incomplete hw problem. ALso, if you feel that your detention was not fair, there is no arguing. SO unless you really want to study 24/7, see your social life disappear into thin air, then this probably is not the school for you.

This is a great school if parents are looking for an environment that is safe, rigorous, and disciplined. I really like the prinicpal a lot, she is stern and strict; however, she is very passionate about the academic success of the school. She understands all of the parents and tries to help out in all ways possible. She is strict with all of the kids, but the kids respect her.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is an example of how schools in california should be run.

This is a great school because it is disclipin and tough and has good academics. The teachers push the kids to be success. The teachers work with the kids all day and aferschool to. The principal at AIPCS is ok. The office lady Ms Green is very good because she helpful and quick with her working. this school no have lot of afterschool but you can go school here and do boys and girls club so it is still good. #1 school in oakland!
—Submitted by a parent