Berkeley Parents Network: Orinda Academy

Berkeley Parents Network

Orinda Academy

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > K-12 Schools > Orinda Academy

Note: Orinda Academy was previously known as North Bay Orinda School
Orinda Academy's website: http://www.orindaacademy.org/

Feb 2008

I would like to add to the dialogue about Orinda Academy. Our son is there this year as a ninth grader. The reason we sent him there was that we were concerned about his potential to skate under the radar at public school. We knew that he needed an environment that was both structured and creative, as he is a very smart kid who will think of a million different reasons for playing computer games rather than aiming for the As of which hems capable. The school has completely met our expectations. Itms small, and most of the teachers are fully dedicated to unlocking the potential of every student there. Amazingly, my son said last weekend, 'I don't look forward to weekends so much any more because school is so much fun.' When I asked him what makes this so, he said that the teachers structure their classes so that learning is incredibly productive and fun. The teachers at Orinda Academy are also very cognizant of learning differences and of the need to keep kids with LDs at grade level q but they organize their classes so that such accommodations donmt compromise the college prep curriculum in any way. Kids are expected to perform to their full potential, and the teachers will be on them like a flash if they slack off. PK

Dec 2007

Can anyone give me a current recommendation for Orinda Academy? I have visited the school and so far am impressed and believe their mission statement and that the teachers really care about the students learning and their various learning styles. I would also be interested in hearing from parents that have switched their kids from another independent school that also had an upper school to Orinda Academy. Thanks!

My son just started Orinda Academy as a 9th grader this year, after being at an independent K-8 school. So far, it's been very good. Classes are small, and the school provides strong support for my organizationally-challenged son. The support they provide is designed to help the students learn to be more self-sufficient, and I really see it working. I also appreciate the fact that we receive progress reports with letter grades and comments from all of his teachers every two weeks. Teachers are generally very responsive. Socially, he seems to be doing better than he was at his previous school. Kids are open and the school community has a welcoming feel. The small size is mitigated by the fact that students make friends across all grades. The commute is easy from Berkeley/Oakland (the majority of kids at OA live in 510, the rest in 925): my son commutes on BART every day, as do a lot of other kids. The downsides: the campus is only so-so and there aren't as many activities available as there are at some schools. But for our son's needs, OA is a good fit. OA Parent

Our son is at Orinda Academy this year as a ninth grader. The reason we sent him there was that we were concerned about his potential to skate under the radar at public school. We knew that he needed an environment that was both structured and creative, as he is a very smart kid who will think of a million different reasons for playing computer games rather than aiming for the As of which he's capable. The school has completely met our expectations. It's small, and most of the teachers are fully dedicated to unlocking the potential of every student there. Amazingly, my son said last weekend, 'I don't look forward to weekends so much any more because school is so much fun.' When I asked him what makes this so, he said that the teachers structure their classes so that learning is incredibly productive and fun. The teachers at Orinda Academy are also very cognizant of learning differences and of the need to keep kids with LDs at grade level, but they organize their classes so that such accommodations don't compromise the college prep curriculum in any way. Kids are expected to perform to their full potential, and the teachers will be on them like a flash if they slack off.

Nov 2006

Does anyone have recent experience with Orinda Academy? We are looking at it for our 8th grade son. He has some learning issues and could benefit from the high student-teacher ratio, but I don't know if the very small size of the school is considered a disadvantage by the kids who go there. I visited, and liked the teachers and students.
Anonymous

My son spent two years at the Orinda Academy, and it was a good place for those two years. I would be happy to discuss our experience directly with the person inquiring.
Leslie

Nov 2006

I am considering Orinda Academy as a possible high school for my shy, socially awkward son. Although I'm interested in hearing anything parents can share about their students' experiences at Orinda, I'm particularly interested in hearing more about the students' social environment and whether it would be tolerant and/or welcoming for shyer, ''uncool'' students. Thanks
Shy kid's mom

Orinda Academy is an absolutely fabulous school. They provide a warm, nurturing environment while also providing a high quality academic program and small classes. My daughter has been at OA for four years and I have been impressed with the teachers and administrators throughout her tenure at the school. It is an ideal school for a shy student because the kids seem to look out for each other and they have a community atmosphere. It is a manageable social environment, not too overwhelming for someone who is shy. Definitely go visit, and/or give me a call if you want more information. Karen

One of the reasons many of us, parents and students, have been attracted to Orinda Academy is that it is a socially safe place for students who are not out going and socially are square pegs trying to fit into round holes. My son was able to blossom socially with his new found pals who shared many of his same interests - mainly video games and anime (spelling?). I also gave an extensive response in the November 3 newsletter.

October 2006

i would like to hear from parents of orinda academy students to get their take on the school. one of my son's teachers has recommended orinda academy as a good fit for him so i would like to find out more about the culture and environment. my greatest concern is that it has an alternative high school feel. i want to make sure that the environment is also a good fit for him. i am also curious if they have a bus available to students in the east bay (berkeley/oakland area). thanks for your feedback.

Our son has been at Orinda Academy since mid-7th grade. He is now a junior. I wouldn't consider OA an alternative school. It is a small school, 125 students grades 7-12. Class sizes are very small, averages around 11. Because it is small one-on-one attention and direct interaction with staff is excellent. Our son is receiving a good, solid education in an atmosphere that is encouraging and supportive. The program has built-in study halls that many parents say is worth the price of tuition because it lessens or takes away the homework arguments. One of the most common things students say about the school is how friendly fellow students are and how safe & secure they feel at OA. Another plus when you go to OA is that because the school is small, if you want to play a sport or be in the school play - you can! There is a student council, school dances, variety show, clubs, trips, cafeteria, homework club, etc. The campus is composed of 3 buildings and the use of a nearby play field. OA is just up the hill from the BART station. From there students walk to and area where the parents who drive their students pick up the ''BART'' students in a casual-carpool manner and drive them up the steep hill. After school they walk to the station (10 minute walk). Over 50% of the student body live on the west side of the Caldecott tunnel like we do here in Oakland. Feel free to contact me directly with more questions or visit the school's website at orindaacademy.org
Dena

Feb 2006

Our son is thriving in his first year at Orinda- it is very small and that has the obvious pluses and minuses but they are open to looking at your particular child's learning needs. We have a lot of contact with his teachers and can work things out as they come up rather than learn about the problems at the end when receiving a report card. I would be happy to share our experiences with you.
drjess

Feb 2006

Re: 12-year-old getting terrible grades - any suggestions?
If you are considering private schools, Orinda Academy might be a good fit for your son. Enrolling grades 7 - 12, it has a homework tracking and accountability system for all students, which somehow depersonalizes the issue and eliminates this issue as a source of friction at home and at school. Late homework earns an ''incomplete''. The ''incomplete'' student must spend their free periods the next day in a mandatory ''quiet'' study hall. Other students, whose homework is complete, elect to spend their ''frees'' in a number of other ways, like in an open-door, more sociable study hall, out on the basketball court, in the lounge, etc. Homework support available in both study halls, to the extent that the monitoring teacher knows the subject. This simple system encourages personal accountability and responsibility, and takes the parents out of the homework loop. Classes are small (12 - 15 students) and an effort is made to respect and accommodate different learning styles. Students may take classes at different grade levels in different subjects. Many enter the program with issues around homework completion, and the system works pretty smoothly to help them take control of the issue for themselves.
Orinda Academy parent

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