at Mission Viejo

Charter Schools vs. Public SchoolsArne Duncan, Secretary of Education

• To create a center for higher learning in the community of Mission Viejo

• Kindergarten to eighth grade students are prepared to pursue collegiate level academic studies

• Our students will gain skills to be successful in the global community of the 21st century

• Our students will not just meet, but exceed grade level expectations

• Our students will become critical thinkers• Our students will be engaged with dynamic teaching

that will make them self-motivated, competent, and lifelong learners

The preparatory academy is named after Oxford University, regarded as one of the world's leading academic institutions. The ideals of Rhodes Scholars, the utmost scholarship at Oxford University, will serve as the inspiration behind our collegiate theme and student goals: •High academic achievement; •Respect for others;•Integrity of character; •A spirit of unselfishness;•Physical vigor; and •Potential for leadership.

• The staff of Oxford Preparatory Academy will create a collegiate atmosphere that will support our school vision, where all students are introduced to the comprehensive benefits of attending a higher-learning institution.

• Every classroom will be named after a prominent college that has graduated a significant number of Rhodes Scholars (e.g., Yale, Harvard, Princeton, etc.)

• Actively recruiting a diverse student population• Open Enrollment Policy - Lottery System

– Hierarchy of Preferences (The total amount of students receiving enrollment exemptions shall not exceed 10% of the total enrollment):

• Faculty;• Employees;• Founding Members (includes Lead Petitioners); and• Members of the Board of Directors and Advisory Council• In-District Students

• All students in the state are eligible• Will not discriminate • Tuition free

• Admission will require a commitment to the goals, objectives, and mission of the school as set forth in the charter (Learning Partnership Agreement )

As stated in the Parental Involvement Legislation, AB1665, parental involvement may include, but not be limited to:

• Sustaining their children’s attendance rates of no less than 98%; • Ensuring homework is completed accurately and neatly, and turned

in on a daily basis;• Working with their children at home on learning activities;• Volunteering in their children’s classrooms, library, office, etc. or

for activities sponsored by the school, for a minimum of twenty (20) hours annually;

• Mandatory attendance for all meetings regarding decisions relating to the education of their children…both parents/guardians are required to be in attendance.. In single parent families, that parent must attend;

• Required attendance at school events;• Attending all Awards Assemblies honoring your child;• Abiding by the school-wide behavior policy; • Adhering by the school-wide Resolution Process; and• Complying with all additional policies and procedures found in the

Oxford Preparatory Academy Parent Informational Handbook.

Parents who face personal challenges in completing all of the requirements stated in the Learning Partnership Agreement shall

receive assistance from staff with alternatives for fulfilling the requirements that are achievable for their individual

circumstances

Leadership and School Organizations– Personnel Committee– Oxford Preparatory Academy Convocation– English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) – The Proud Educators and Parents (PEP) Club– Art Masters

Chess Masters Noon Sports League

Dance Team Odyssey of the Mind

Drama Club Playing Instruments at Assemblies

Gardening Club Saturday Enrichment Field Trips

Excellence Academies Science Adventures

Music Lessons Student Council

Mileage Club Track Team

• Agenda: Each student in grades 1 – 8 at Oxford Preparatory Academy will utilize an agenda

• Morning “Warm-Up”: Teacher supervised “Warm-Up” exercises, set at the onset of the school day for grades 1-8

• Reading Comprehension: state standards taught utilizing the expository (non-fiction) texts of our Science and Social Studies

• G.A.T.E.: Differentiated instruction will be provided for all students who have mastered standards as evidenced by pre-testing results

• FLIGHTS Program: Foreign Language Instruction Generating Highly Talented Students

• Excellence Academy: Before and after school intervention – Designed for students in grades 1-8 who are performing below grade

level in English Language Arts and/or Mathematics, or;– Are in danger of not meeting grade level proficiency in these areas

• College Prep: Targeted intervention program during the school day

• Visual And Performing Arts (VAPA): Visual and Performing Arts – Art Masters (Art Appreciation), participation in school

performances, dance, drama, band, and musical instrument instruction

• Technology Instruction: Typing, Internet-based research, computer program instruction (Word, PowerPoint, etc.) and the MIND Institute program

• MIND Institute: a computer-based program that utilizes musical keyboard instruction to help students acquire and develop problem-solving skills in math and science

“Successful schools all over our state are combining academic standards with service-learning in projects that teach the value of

giving back and importance of engaging in the broader community.”

-Jack O’Connell, State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Service Learning: Teaching method that combines academic content with direct service experiences to school or community

• Integrated throughout all curricular State Standards, Service Learning Projects, infused into lessons, will enable all students from Kindergarten through eighth grade, to experience and engage in real life skills.

• Students will acquire an appreciation of their roles in the global world, and develop civic ownership.

• “Honour Mods” Party • Cum Laude Awards Banquet (based on prior year

STAR Test results)

• Trimester Awards (Grades K – 8)– OPA (Outstanding Performance and Achievement) Award– Citizenship Award– Homework Award– Attendance Award – All Honours Award

• End of the Year Awards

• Possible sites will be discussed with Saddleback Unified School District, including vacant school facilities, specifically O’Neill Elementary School

• Our goal is to provide a facility that is conducive to our educational philosophy and program

• All leases being considered are within the budget, and the building sizes support the educational program

• Budget oversight by Delta Managed Solutions, LLC.• Budget is driven by ADA (Average Daily Attendance – The

state of California funds school districts, and charter schools, based on student attendance)

• OPA will enroll a maximum of 20 percent of the total student population into a full time I.S. program (ISP), which will correspond with the site-based curriculum

• Teacher will meet with these students and their parents on a weekly basis to determine goals, instruction, and assessment of student progress

• Students will be held to the same degree of standard and expectation as students in the regular education program

• Access to extra-curricular programs, after-school intervention, field trips, books, and any resources available to site-based students

• Donations are welcome for the following:– Services of Jerry Simmons (Associate, Middleton,

Young & Minney, LLP) need to be retained– Articles of Incorporation– EIN tax number for both State and Federal– Photocopying of document– Banner• Public Information Meeting and Fundraisers

need to be planned and scheduled

• Goals: Charter petition has been submitted to SVUSD• Awaiting Public Hearing, which must occur within 30 days

of petition submission.• District decision must occur within 60 days from petition

submission.• PR Campaign (newspapers, local media, letters of support

from local leaders and businesses, etc.)• Create fliers and have them distributed at local

establishments

• Volunteers needed: fundraising, planning meetings, flier distribution, etc.

• If you participate in online blogs, please stay professional, positive, and polite…it goes a long way. Only communicate things you understand about the petition, etc…seek clarification and we will help.