MAJOR Learning at OPA

When Oxford Preparatory Academy’s Chancellor Amy Valenzuela announced MAJORS week on March 16th, the entire student body of nearly 1,000 students simultaneously cheered. Children could not contain themselves, they were all very excited to find out what class they were getting.

Twice a year OPA releases their students early in the afternoon for elective-style pull-out classes. Making Academic Jumps Over Rigorous Standards (MAJORS) is one of the multiple intelligences teaching techniques and strategies that OPA employs to accommodate the wide range of learning styles their students have. MAJORS is a great way for students to try out new activities or cater to their passion, interest, or strength. For students it’s a great opportunity to sample classes for one-week, learn about things that are typically not part of the school curriculum, and interact with children from various grade levels.

This year OPA offered a wide range of classes – from yoga (bodily kinesthetic) to enjoying a piece of the Pi (logical and mathematical). There was even a class on the fundamentals of clowning around. Other classes focused on sports (archery and soccer), music and arts (photography and drawing), and even cultural appreciation.

At the end of the week, children showcased what they learned during assembly. Raul, a 5th grader, impressively recited several lines of the infinitely long, non-repeating number Pi.

At the end of the week the campus was filled with excited chatter as children discussed what they learned that week. In fact, some children were already planning for the next MAJORS week.

OPA is a tuition-free charter school founded by Sue Roche in 2010. OPA has campuses in Chino, Mission Viejo, and Oceanside. To learn more about OPA, please visit www.oxfordchampions.org.

Photos and written by Mary Dona-Paras, MBA