Hey Orange Unified/Orange County parents!

A group of Orange County parents are currently working on a charter school petition for the Orange County Classics Academy (OCCA) in order to start a tuition-free K-8 public charter school within Orange Unified School District (OUSD). These parents realize the value of a highly individualized curriculum and that a one-sized education clearly does not fit all students. OCCA will offer foreign languages, music and choir, art, science lab, and PE as part of its regular curriculum at no additional charge. You do not have to reside within OUSD for your child to attend. OCCA’s academic program will be vigorous with an educational philosophy based on the premise that our Founding Fathers and the great leaders of history received a “Leadership Education”. OCCA believes that the liberty, prosperity, and stability of our nation, as well as future civilizations, are dependent upon the leaders of tomorrow getting a Leadership Education today. As Abraham Lincoln stated, “The philosophy of the schoolroom in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next.” A Leadership Education presupposes that each individual is born with a unique and individual mission to fulfill and it is the school’s role to inspire them to discover their own potential and unique abilities that only he or she has to contribute to society. Further, a leadership education believes that the application of knowledge to the real world is essential, and that a student’s education will not recognize its value or completeness until the student has learned to serve their community, family, and society. This is accomplished primarily through the reading and studying of the ancient classics, English literature, general political philosophy, and also engaging in a mentoring program. Sir Walter Scott said, “All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.”
In addition, there are currently eleven schools in OUSD that did not make Adequate Yearly Progress for two consecutive years based on the State accountability system. These schools are identified as Program Improvement (PI) schools by the California Department of Education and receive Federal Title I funding. Once labeled a PI school, the district must allow a student the option of transferring to another school within the district where there is space available. These Orange County parents are demanding school choice options. By opening a tuition-free public charter school, OCCA can offer a rigorous program of study that assures their children attain the state minimum performance targets, closes any achievement gaps, and places their children on a college trajectory. OCCA will seek to act as an additional public school option that children who attend PI Schools as their home schools may transfer to and exceed not only the level of performance their PI home school is currently functioning at, but exceed the Common Core State Standards in an individualized and creative environment. Come hear from experienced charter school leaders what this innovative educational program can offer your child! We are having an open community meeting on Wednesday, November 19th from 7:00-8:30 pm at Orange Library at 407 E. Chapman Ave. in Orange in Community Rooms A& B. All are welcome to attend! For further information, please join our interest list at: http://bit.ly/1DTKwjY.