Oakland Charter Academy

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