About OSA
 

The Mission

Oakland School for the Arts balances an immersive arts program with a comprehensive academic curriculum, providing students unique opportunities for learning, innovation, expression and personal growth. OSA’s arts and academic programs build discipline and confidence, effectively preparing creative youth to achieve their potential both in and outside of the arts.
 

The Student
OSA attracts and retains a broad range of students drawn together by the organizing paradigm of the arts into a cohesive community. OSA's students demonstrate the value of creativity in academia. Over 95% of OSA graduates have gained admission to 4-year colleges and universities.
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The Methodology and Program

OSA’s methodology was developed by leading educators and community members in response to the specific needs of an urban youth population. The faculty is comprised of professional artists and state-credentialed academic teachers, who leverage students’ interests in the arts to improve their academic discipline. Throughout their years at OSA, students focus on one of the following arts emphases: Arts Management, Circus Arts, Dance, Digital Media, Instrumental Music, Literary Arts, Theater, Visual Arts or Vocal Music.
 

The Challenge & OSA's Impact

In March of 2005, Harvard researchers released a report revealing that the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) graduates under 50% of incoming freshmen on time. In stark contrast, OSA maintains a graduation rate of nearly 100% and a college admissions rate exceeding 95%. OSA’s most recent Academic Performance Index (API) score, reported by the CA Department of Education is 756. By comparison the OUSD score is 693. OSA was the only Oakland School to win the 2009 California Distinguished School Award from the CA Department of Education.
 

Expected Schoolwide Learning Results (ESLR's)
Oakland School for the Arts will prepare its graduates to be: 
 
Effective communicators who: 
• Clearly articulate ideas and speak and write with eloquence 
• Code switch (use the appropriate communication for the situation) 
• Listen to others 
• Demonstrate their artistic voices. 
 
Critical thinkers who: 
• Question ideas and analyze a variety of perspectives 
• Have informed opinions while remaining open to other views 
• Integrate prior knowledge when solving problems 
• Choose imagination over cynicism 
 
Productive citizens who: 
• Positively contribute to the community and value the contributions of others  
• Collaborate successfully 
• Stay informed about world events in order to effect positive change 
• Accept and offer constructive criticism. 
 
Self-disciplined students and artists who: 
• Display pride and passion in their artistic and academic work 
• Demonstrate consistent effort and commitment through practice and focused study 
• Challenge themselves to achieve higher standards 
• Behave professionally as an audience member, classroom student, or community citizen.