Orange County Educational Arts Academy

My grandson attends Kindergarten at OCEAA and he loves it. He is learning many new and exciting things and finding a friendly, loving place, which i would say is a perfect combination for K. We are so pleased with his teachers, the atmosphere and the professionalism of all our contacts. The after school program is outstanding because it is full of play, learning, order and staffed by really kind and qualified teachers.

My children attended this school for a brief period of time. I found that it not only lacked in academic achievement, but also in nurturing a safe and healthy environment for my children to grow. The school is run not only by the staff but also by a small elite group of parents who have far too much say in the direction of the school. Additionally, this school does not in any way prepare children for the High School of the Arts. Most of the teachers, if not all, have absolutely no training what so ever in any area of art. I found the art work to be cookie cutter art. This school failed my children in every possible way. When I withdrew them from here, my son was two years behind in every subject, however his report cards never demonstrated that. I have spoken to a number of other parents who like wise withdrew their children and found that they too where behind. The principal is patronizing and dismissive. Yes the school has improved, it had too because the state was threatening to take it over it was doing so poorly. If you care about your child's academic achievement Try El Sol instead. It is right across the street from this school.
--Submitted by a parent

My children absolutely love going to school here. The Principal has shown great leadership in making some unpopular decisions but wise decisions - which paid off. With all the hard work the teachers and staff have put in the last two years, it is really beginning to show. My kids are all enrolled in the dual language program and are all making great strides. I am very proud of their abilities. Parental involvement is okay. It seems like the same parents are always involved. It would be nice to get some fresh faces.
--Submitted by a parent

I love the direction that the school is going in. I think finally we have a strong leader, Ms. Hardman Greene, carrying the school forward instead of backwards. She's gotten a lot of slack for paying too much attention to API but in the end that's what's going to keep our school open and I finally feel like my child is learning something and not just going to school to "play school."
--Submitted by a parent

Over the last two years, the school has taken a different direction under the current principal's guidance. Unfortunately, they are so focused in improving school's API that they are forgetting about some other matters that are important too. If you have an issue, yes you have to follow the 'protocol' to get a hope instead of an answer and it can take you up to a month to be able to talk to the principal. Then, you get only hopes and no solutions.
--Submitted by a parent

I am glad my granson goes to this school. Because it is a charter school, but this school is a very young school. They have only been open 4 years. All of the school teachers are very young and I don't think that they work together. Each teacher has there own plan they don't work as a unit. I think that they put so much on trying to raise extra money with fso and not on teaching. I handle there box tops program and have raised last year alone $1,200.00 in box tops. I get very little help from staff or teachers. There are schools across the U.S. raising$20 to $60 thousands dollors for there school. When ever I go to school I am never greeted with A Hello or how are you. Most of the time staff trun there nose's up at me. I don't know what I ever did

It is a great school, both of my kids go to this school. They have great teachers that spend one on one time with their students. My son started when the school opened and it has been exciting seeing the growth of the school. Excelent realtion between parents and teacher and between students. Excelent
--Submitted by a parent

This school is a great learning place for any student that loves art, music, dance, & language arts. Given that the school is still in it's infancy stage it has shown much improvement since it's first year. Both my kids attend this school and they 'love it'.
--Submitted by a parent

This school (Staff) took some time to establish itself. Being that the school is less then 4 years old. The staff has improved tremendously. Academics seem to be in good order. Arts and extra curicular were very impressive last year. Can't wait to see what else they will come up with.
--Submitted by a parent

Teachers are quality people, really care about creating a well rounded student.