Oakland Charter Academy

i go to oakland charter academy middleschool myself and i must say i had problems with their unexpressive uniforms but my math great was extremely low and they brought it up i feel cared about and they push yuou to do your best the first day of school i was terrified but the kids were so inviting and it made me feel as if i were part of their little family of 150 students

Oakland Charter Academy is the best school! It helps you a lot. The principal is tough but fair.

this school is a very bad, I dont know if I can even called school. My kids are attending summer school, thank god it's almost over, and they dont like it, they have very bad teachers, oakland charter teachers have not respect for the student they treat student like military style, and excessive homework for 6th grade student , my kids have to stay doing home work till midnight sometimes that is not right, plus they make them carry too many books that in not good for their back either. Also it looks like the teacher are not able to control students if is not yelling, they even called students stupid, a lot bad thing looks like this school are out control.
—Submitted by a parent

This charter school is a scam. I am an ex-teacher from Oakland Charter Academy. They falsify grades, attendance records, and state tests to make themselves appear to be better. Furthermore, teachers are encouraged to demean, and militarize their classrooms. If you would like your child yelled at and treated like an animal all while being given reports that this is a stellar one of kind cleaned up school then send your kids here. You've been warned.
—Submitted by a teacher

i am a student from oca u do not want to put your kid in this school they cus at us and dont give us the advantages that they do to every kid in the school these are some examples why you dont want to put your son or daughter in this school:they cus at the students,they give us lot of homework and if u stay after school for tutoring they wont even let u put your books back after your done with a subject,they call u out of your name and make you do p.e. in the rain! they say all of your buisness out in front of the whole class llike what you get on your progress report and your report card YOU REALLY DONT WANNA PUT YOUR CHILD IN THIS IM TELLING YOU THE TRUTH AND THEY MAKE YOU SIT ON THE FLOOR AND IM ONLY IN THE SIXTH!!!!!!!!!

This is not a school for parents that want to be involved with their children's education. Parents cannot contact teachers directly and the administrative staff do not have the experience or professionalism to respond to parents' concerns in a productive way. If your child needs more of a hands on approach, this is not the school for him/her. The school has a hard time with providing accomodations for children that need a little extra support as the staff are not equipped to do so for lack of experience and willingness.
—Submitted by a parent

Bad teachers with bad attitudes. This school doesn't care for the students' needs or interests. OCA only cares for high test scores and nothing else. The school has a bad administration, has unfair punishments and has and overall culturally offensive ambience.

The school is tough and demands alot-but whats wrong with that? They state that from the get go, so I as a parent in the inner city love that about this school. My child is in the 7th grade. Perhaps the former teachser should be careful in her contact with children-. Yes, parents talk- be warned!
—Submitted by a parent

I was a teacher for this school and I have to say, behind the manipulated, high-pressured facade of high test scores that this school totes around as its only real positive, this school is truly terrible in terms when it comes to inspiring and guiding students. Basically, this school's main focus is to have a high CST (Star Testing) score and they'll do just about anything to the students to make this happen. Simple things like the student's development, confidence, leadership skills, collaborative skills, independence, own interests do not matter to this school. Also, I had witnessed the administration encourage using inappropriate language towards the students, having the students run with full backpacks on (at least 4 large textbooks), and using mind games on students to have them think that the CST is the only thing that matters. The practices of this school's administration is abominable and they should be extremely ashamed of themselves. Don't let CST scores fool you. This is not a healthy, well rounded school. Discipline and accountability is one thing, but outright corporal punishment and the manipulation of our youth is another.
—Submitted by a teacher

I was a teacher at OCA and was fired for not giving the kids HW. I was one of those teachers mentioned by another teacher, who was embarrased in front of my kids. The minority kids will do well here. But dont send any other kids cause you will hate the feel of the school. All they think about is academics and dicipline
—Submitted by a teacher

I think that this school is great. The students get a decent amount of homework and their materials are really advanced.
—Submitted by a parent

I was a teacher at OCA. The kids work hard at this school, and it's very academically focused. I really enjoyed my class. My kids scored very well on the CST. There are high expectations for the students at OCA- that's something I really appreciated about the school. However, I feel like it is also an oppressive environment on so many levels. I feel like the admin bully the kids and the teachers into doing what they (the admin) want. I witnessed at least 20 occassions where students and teachers were publically shamed. This school works for some kids. But creative, independent-minded students will not thrive here. Also, they are very against community and parent involvement. I had to go through the principal or his wife if I wanted to make a phone call home to a parent.
—Submitted by a teacher

i was a student here at oca and i loved it! great opportunities offered and the teachers were very hrlpfull
—Submitted by a student

My daughter attends Oakland Charter Academey. I won't go into how I found out about the school but initially I was hesitant about sending my daughter to OCA because I didn't no anything about it and I worried about how she would progress academically in an inner-city school. I must tell you that it was the best decision I have ever made in terms of school selection. The staff and especially the principals (Mr. and Mrs. Lopez) are serious about educating the youth and they go to great lengths to ensure the children receive the best education possible. I feel as though my daughter is getting the kind of education many parents pay to receive. I cannot say enough about OCA, however I will say this in closing-If a structured grade A education, is what you desire for your child I would recommend you check out Oakland Charter Academy.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has many opportunities for kids how what do something with their lives. The teacher's teach how to work hard. Our principle Mr.lopez always tells to work hard and never give up. Mrs Lopez tells us you can do anything just have to work hard. The school has been nominated for Blue Ribbon awarded.We have been together like family. Like Mr.and Ms.Lopez always say ''we are all a family.' I have many more oppronatonaties than I ever had ever had before. Know in our uniforms we always in our heads in the Honer of Hard work
—Submitted by a student

I am a student at OCA and I have good grades. I love the teachers there and our team leaders Mr. and Mrs. Lopez . They always keep reminding us to keep our heads in the books and not in the clouds. Kids in our school are offered many acedemic opportunities. I love this school!!
—Submitted by a student

My child attended another charter school before coming to OCA and had all kinds of problems. I took her out and put her here at OCA, it was the best move I made. My daughter hated it at first, but as a parent that is a good sign in Oakland. There is strict disicpline, and tons of work. I used to be a person who thought that all charters schools were good, but in the search for a school in Oakland, boy did I get an eye opener. So many bad charter schools! I am very pleased with OCA and all of the focus on education and children. All my girl needed was authority and structure, but this is what most schools in this city avoid giving.
—Submitted by a parent

What can you say? The most improved school in the city 2 years in a row. It is strict, and gives alot of homework,and Mr. Lopez does not play. But my child has grown tremendously, academically and matured. Keep up the good work.
—Submitted by a parent

Oakland Charter provides the newest and most up-to-date textbooks available. All are aligned to the state standards. In addition, the teachers and the director work together to provide a structured environment where students are expected to perform, and they do. A visit at this school will say it all. You will never see a rowdy classroom that is not working. The test scores also testify to the effectiveness of this school. Last year, we were the most improved school in Oakland, with a 94 point gain.
—Submitted by a teacher

I think that thie school es the way all oakland schools should be because it is safe for my girl and it is very good in learning. my dauhter went to a bad school last year where she lerned nothing but at oca she is lerning alot. The school director takes time to visit the classes and the kids and pushes them to do bettrer in school and life. I do not care about parent things because I have seen schools where parents fight at meetings all the time and talk about the same things again and again so I dont care a bout that. In the newspaper it said that our school is the most improves in the city. We feel that next year will be the same thing becasue our kids and the teachers and the director all work hard for the same thing. OCA is better than all nearby schools.
—Submitted by a parent