News from the OPA Central Office

Contributions to future newsletters are always welcome, please send stories you feel are worth sharing with the OPA community, to communications@opaschools.org.

Our first Parent Education Night of the year - Parenting in a Digital World - was a success! Held on October 22, 2024, at the Saddleback Valley Honour Hall, CyberCops presented a seminar on what is really going on in our children's digital world. Parents had an opportunity to ask specific questions and also received resources to help supervise their children on social media sites effectively, protect them from online threats, and bring technological balance back to their home.

Our next Parent Education Night is TONIGHT at 6:00! Join us virtually for BrightLife Kids:

Zoom Link

Meeting ID: 968 2689 5701

Passcode: 639488

Both OPA-South Orange County and OPA-Saddleback Valley scored higher in English, Math, and Science than any other Orange County District! Additionally, OPA-Middle School scored higher in English and Science than any other Orange County District and scored the 3rd highest for Math.

Middle School science scores were especially impressive, with 76% of students meeting or exceeding standards in science – almost 12 percent higher than the next-highest OC district. (OPA-MS at 76% compared to Irvine Unified middle schools at 64.1%).

Exceptional growth was seen in math scores at both OPA-SOC (9.7% increase) and OPA-SV (8.2% increase). This is a remarkable achievement considering OPA’s existing high academic performance. To continue raising scores, even when already at the top, is a testament to OPA’s mission that all students are unique and gifted individuals and that all students can learn.

OPA student outcomes, including test results such as the CAASPP, reflect the extraordinary work our professors and staff do on an everyday basis and the culture of excellence deeply embedded within OPA.

OPA is committed to developing the whole child and supporting all students academically, socially, and emotionally. A variety of enrichment and intervention opportunities continue to be implemented alongside rigorous and high-quality instruction to enhance and support our students in achieving their highest potential.

Congratulations Champions! We are so proud of you!

Once again our schools are ranked #1 and #2 Best Charter Schools in Orange County by Niche.

Congratulations to SV (#1) and SOC (#2) and a giant THANK YOU to all the teachers, staff, and FAMILIES who make OPA the best place to be every single day!

Extra shout out to SV for being ranked the #3 Charter Elementary School in California!!!

October 31 marked the highlight of all OPA traditions - Literature Day!

Reading is the foundation of Literature Day, and all three schools celebrated with students dressing as favorite characters from a book they have read. Celebrations included parades, costume contests, guest readers in the classrooms, and of course fun!

Showing how reading can be fun, and bringing characters to life, helps to build the foundation for strong life-long readers. As the SOC Champions say - Readers are Leaders!

Field Trips are an important part of our culture and happen at every grade level. Integrating field trips into our curriculum helps students connect classroom learning to the real world and provides hands-on learning where they can see, hear, and touch the subject matter. This approach helps them retain information and can inspire passion and help develop a positive attitude toward learning.

In this photo our First-Grade champions are enjoying a day of learning at Tanaka Farms!

Congratulations to Mrs. Eleshia Shipp, South Orange County School Counselor, for being named Charter/Private School Counselor of the Year by the Orange County Department of Education.

We are grateful for Mrs. Shipp and happy to see her recognized for her contributions. Anyone who knows her would agree that her warmth and compassion create a space where students feel safe, valued, and ready to take on challenges.

Thank you for bringing your compassionate, thoughtful, and meaningful approach to your work every day. We are all better for having known and interacted with you!

As announced during the June Board of Directors meeting, member Paul Kagoo will not seek an additional term with the Board of Directors after he completes his current term in December. The OPA Board of Directors is currently conducting a search to fill this open Board member position.

Board members are actively involved in organizational governance and should reserve approximately 8-10 hours per month for operational business and to review documentation and information for Board meetings. Terms are two years in length.

For more information and the timeline for recruitment, please visit our website at: https://www.opaschools.org/apps/pages/board-member-search.