Old Plank Christian Academy

8964 Old Plank Road

Jacksonville, FL 32220

15 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by student on February 25, 2025

I've been going to OPCA for a while now. I can say some of the other reviews are not true. Old Plank is a good school overall and includes learning about the Bible a lot. The only problems I really have are the teachers not wanting to teach. One of them plays videos on the screen instead of teaching the class. The only reason he is a teacher is because the other one left. The substitutes are sometimes people that are still in college and don't even have a degree. They aren't fit at ALL. The Chorus teacher doesn't know how to sing and doesn't teach at all. Other than that, I've had a wonderful time at OPCA. Everyone was welcoming and nice to me. All the teachers are kind and I have someone nice to talk to. OPCA has your back and they show a Christ-Like testimony. I was getting bullied but now that I've opened up, the bullying has lessened. I love Old Plank and recommend it to your student. As a person that currently goes there, I can say it's a safe and friendly environment!
Submitted by other on June 13, 2023

I would highly recommend you look elsewhere. I wish I had. I thoroughly regret sending my children here. Poor leadership, communication and overall education is just the beginning.
Submitted by parent on March 31, 2023

Teachers are lazy and not qualified at all. High school is a complete joke. Students have zero respect for their teachers. It's all about what your last name is at this school. If you're not a McGinley, hang it up. All we've gotten from the staff and teachers have been lies and the runaround. Stay away from this school. Your child will be exposed to more of a worldly lifestyle here more than any public school.
Submitted by student on December 15, 2022

I have been going here gor about 4 years now and it was fine the first year but after that things went done hill. Some of the staff verbally abuse students and can't deal with a kid having a panic attack. They make it a big deal when you need to go to the bathroom and preach on how bullying is bad but do nothing to stop it. A lot of the teachers are under qualified for the roles given. The academic director was a 3rd grade teacher and got put in that role because the old director retired. The vice principal leaves without telling anbody and takes almost 2 hour lunch breaks and makes it your fault if your teacher didn't have their radio on. One of the teachers was working at Chick-fil-A a week before becoming IT and computer teacher with a degree in music and has "qualifications" because he worked at a department store. They are so low on staff that they call in the bus driver to substitute or the principal. Their slogan "where students succeed with excellence" is a lie half of the 10th grade is failing. They teach 3rd graders about stuff their not supposed to no till their at least in the 7th grade like not to have s** before marriage. If you thought to send your kid here rethink it you kid will end up either getting bullied or bullying and if their lucky they might end up with the group of kids nobody messes with cause they either don't talk a lot or strick fear into people but are actually pretty cool.
Submitted by parent on June 10, 2021

Better think twice before sending your kids here. Mine were here for years and they will never get that time back. They were so far behind when they transferred that their summer is being spent tutoring. When you pay tuition and get a ticker-tape receipt, that should be your first red flag. Refused to give my son and daughter their yearbooks after they transferred. Bought and paid for but never received or refunded. Lied about them multiple times. Basically stole memories from my children. Cancel classes because no substitute was available. I have had multiple students tell me about verbally abusive and racist teachers at this school. If you are serious about your child's education DO NOT SEND THEM HERE!!
Submitted by parent on September 12, 2019

This is the first year my children have attend OPCA. So I only have about 5 weeks of experience. I just think this school is great and so do my children. One of them in elementary and one of the in Middle School. They can't wait to get dressed every morning to go to school and they are excited and happy every afternoon when I pick them up! Excellent staff that make you feel welcomed from the first time you step through the door. I am excited to see what God has in store for my children. I HIGHLY recommend this school.
Submitted by student on March 26, 2018

schools horrible don't bring your child here
Submitted by parent on January 25, 2018

I would like to say that having 4 kids at OPCA I’ve seen a variety of grades and teachers. I’ve been very pleased and happy with the results of each one of my children each year. The accreditation being held by the FCCPSA holds them to a high standard. Each teacher in elementary thru 12th holding a bachelors degree. I love that my kids are well taken care of each and everyday with no worry!! Can’t say enough positive!!! Also love the number of students that have graduated and went on to major colleges and universities!!
Submitted by other on April 04, 2017

Unfortunately, my child has been going to OPCA for 3 years now and the only reason she hasn't been pulled out is because her friends are there. I have never seen a more unqualified and immature staff in my life. It seems as though the administration gossips more than the students. This school is very political! So watch out. If you are not a part of their compound, then they make it clear that you are an outcast!! DO NOT ENROLL YOUR CHILD HERE.
Submitted by other on April 08, 2016

This school's concept of academia is seriously lacking. Students can get all the way through an education here without earning their grades in the slightest sense of the word. If you want your child to grow at all academically, send them somewhere else.
Submitted by parent on July 14, 2015

I would not recommend this school. Not all their teachers are certified or have their bachelor degrees even though it is a state regulation. If you would like to know if your child's teacher is certified by the state to teach go to fldoe.org website they have a certification lookup. You can look up certifications up by the teachers name or by their DOE number. This way you can find out for yourself if they really are registered. Or you can call the department of education and give them your teachers name. You can also ask the school for the teachers DOE number and look it up that way. The favoritism is huge in this school. If your child has an issue with one of the children who's parent works at the school you should just forget about it because it will be your child's fault no questions asked. I have had the administrator of this school straight out lie to my face. They do not properly handle issues, they discuss things of other students and parents that should not be discussed.
Submitted by parent on March 13, 2015

Old Plank Christian Academy is the best school that you could possibly choose for your child. We are completely satisfied with the school. Our children have excelled at OPCA and we continue to see the lessons they have been taught everyday. OPCA is accredited by NAPS & FCCAPS. The teachers are well qualified to teach and have passed all qualifications by the state of Florida to teach at OPCA. OPCA keeps my children safe... safety is demonstrated everyday by the procedures they have in place. Students are given SAT's in spring of each year. My children love their school, their teachers and the administration. If you want the best for your child this is the place for you!
Submitted by parent on June 04, 2014

Would not recommend this school unless you want to pay for low rate public school education They have church members teaching at the school instead of well educated teachers. I do believe alot of the kids that come to this school have been kicked out of public schools. No discipline or consequences are given to the same children that seem to interrupt classes and take away from my child learning. I believe this could be a great school if they left the church members out and more educated staff especially administration. It is a place for your kids to have a mediocre future and I want more. The Bible is definitely not a priority in the classwork. Time was not set aside for Bible study, I thought I was paying full price with no scholarship for Christian education. Recommend look into other private Christian schools! What a disappointment this school turned out to be.
Submitted by parent on June 25, 2013

My child was enrolled in this school & I eventually pulled her out before the year ended. My child was A B honor roll but failed in placement tests at 2 other local Christian schools. The staff does not care about anything but the money they can get out of you. They do not care about the safety of children in their care. I approached the staff about some safety issues at the school and was criticized for bringing it to their attention. I communicated weekly with the teacher about my child and they assured me that my child was well behaved and doing fine in class. When I brought up the safety problems all of a sudden my child was classified as a problem child. The staff is far from Christians, I expect more from a "church school". They definitely do not show a Christian attitude, I would not recommend this school to parents who care about the safety, education & morality of their child.
Submitted by parent on September 24, 2012

My child has been to this school going on two years.Save your money, you are not getting anything different than what you get in a public school. No extra help for kids,no discapline in class.Can't maintain regular staff.The students are rude & cruel.The staffs priorities are way off.Keep it real,don't do a"Stepford"school.