Ocsa

1010 North Main Street

School District

Santa Ana Unified
Grade

7-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:18
Type

charter

School Map for Santa Ana Unified School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on June 07, 2024

Scary party of town. Principal only cares about funding. Academics could be better and less stressful. Very competitive atmosphere. A lot of students excited upon acceptance but not happy students.
Submitted by parent on May 30, 2023

Socially students seem happy but the academics are lacking. The majority of students fail their science classes as they receive inadequate instruction. Teachers give students grades on assignments that do not correlate to state science standards not does the instruction in class match with the assessments given. The school does not have a science curriculum the teachers create their own and statistically this has proven to be detrimental to a students learning experience. Emails to teachers go unanswered or responses are minimal and not at all helpful. Furthermore, the admin team will not respond to any phone calls or emails. For a school they is regarded do highly, it sadly does not live up to the hype. At least not where academics are concerned.
Submitted by parent on August 20, 2022

Administration is extremely punitive to students. Very damaging to kids. Very very liberal school. Staff and students will crucify any opinion that isn’t woke. Expect furries (kids who identify as animals) and a lot of condescending beliefs.
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2022

My daughter loves OCSA. She has found so many like-minded friends. There are a ton of student events and weekly on campus lunch performances. The conservatory classes are excellent, but some of the master artist instructors have little teaching or grading experience and that shows. Homework is kept to a minimum because of the already strenuous workload. Students are in school from 8:30-4:45. Academic teacher proficiency varies a great deal and there’s no consistency in grading practices. Communication from adults at the school is poor at all levels, including leadership and business office. It takes days to get a response from a teacher or counselor, sometimes no reply at all from the principal. OCSA also needs better crowd management. Leaders need to circulate during lunch and before/after school.
Submitted by parent on December 15, 2021

This school is not for everyone. The kids work HARD. The high school doesn't get out until 4:45 pm, and that is if they are not in a show. My child is a Junior and has been there since he was in 7th grade. I can't compare it to other high schools because my son has not been to any other high school. However, I know that it has a good selection of AP classes, the education seems to be pretty good. I like that most of the kids seem motivated and work hard. I like that it is not a traditional school. You may see a kid wearing a unicorn onesie to school. You will see kids singing in the hallways. As you hear at other schools, the administrators don't seem to focus 100% of their time on stupid disciplinary rules. I must say that the counselors we have dealt with are close to useless, absolutely zero help with picking out classes, and will let your kid sign up for classes that they should not be taking. You have to email twice and call twice even to get a return email. Maybe they are that overworked, but the school needs to hire more counselors. Try and get in if your child loves their art, wants to be around like-minded kids, and doesn't mind long hours. Skip it if you hate commuting to school or your kids want to be in a sports-loving environment.
Submitted by parent on April 02, 2021

Kids are not able to get in based on talent, yet your are entered into a lotto system. Communication is through email this year, no phone calls. Not worht the time the kids put into it.
Submitted by student on October 11, 2020

There are many things wrong with this place. A single review can't even begin describe what this school has done and continues to do. The academics are good and it can provide a safer environment to some students from where they were prior, but that can not excuse the behavior of the administration and the toxic environment they have created. I want parents to be aware of this because parents have a tendency to be blinded and fall into the trap that admin wants you to fall in. The illusion that everything is great and perfect. "How could it be bad, it's OCSA?" or "It looks good for college and future employment". Is looking good on paper worth more than your child's mental health? This is a hard school and a lot of people leave. I should've left and because my parents fell into this trap I was made to be there everyday for 5 years. Before OCSA I was fine, but, now, I have therapy every week, a debilitating amount of anxiety and depression, and completely burned out. I hope that parents don't dismiss their child when they have frustrations or may want to leave. I'm sorry parents, but you have absolutely no clue what OCSA students go through. Students are at school and working on conservatory longer hours than you are working plus homework. They are children and work longer hours than the average working hours of an adult with no pay. Please be respectful. I was class of 2020 and my senior year was cut in half by COVID-19. This virus has affected many people and is a horrible global tragedy. Honestly, I'm thankful I got to leave, stay home, and never return. When I graduated, I felt absolutely nothing and will continue to feel nothing. I couldn't care less about that place. It took a global pandemic for me to escape. That's sad.
Submitted by other on May 17, 2019

I can't beleive I went to this school. Dont be fooled, it may look like a great school, but most if not all of the students were miserable. Everyday we would come home completely exhausted and malnourished. Conservatory is an absolute joke and you rarely learn anything. Counselors are the definition of useless, you come to them with a problem an their solution is to "sleep it off". The staff is repulsive, most of the students just trying to have fun, moshing for example, get in trouble beause the staff deems their actions "harmful to other students". Save the hassle and run, very fast. This school is a waste of your childs time and tears, as well as your money.
Submitted by parent on August 20, 2018

Wish I had never done it. It looks like an amazing school, parents rave about it, but my kid said all her friends were tired, hungry and sickly all the time.
Submitted by parent on March 28, 2016

My daughter is going to be a Senior next year and has been attending OCSA since 8th grade - she loves the school but works very hard to keep straight A's and is taking 2 AP classes and 2 Honrs classes this year and 4 AP's as a Senior - her choice completely. Let your child pick his or her classes and then they will be self-motivates. Parents, again - let your child either succeed or fail at OCSA - that is how they learn. Our conservatory is very demanding but my daughter has said NO to certain shows and late night rehearsals in order to keep her grades up but she does enjoy the after school conservatory classes during the regular M-Thurs 2:30 - 4:50 school week. Parents, weekend social life is mostly not possible if your OCSA student is taking Honors & AP classes starting in 9th & 10th grade. Great school but not for everyone bc of the long days M - Thurs, Fridsys get out at 1:30. Good luck
Submitted by other on February 12, 2016

My child went to this school for her Freshman and Sophomore years. She entered the school as a vivacious, energetic, happy and self-confident young girl. She was able to get into the acting conservatory, but auditioning for every single event or play never amounted to even a single callback in two years - while others were being called back and cast multiple times in different plays. Out of the house at 7 am, home at 6 pm with homework, never left time for a life or activities outside of OCSA or even community theater.$8000 in Donations later - she left at the end of her Sophomore year depressed, exhausted, filled with anxiety and doubting her abilities as an actor. The conservatory or the academic classes did not give back much in exchange for the effort and time she put into the high school. A handful of kids she knows left OCSA for the same reasons - depressed and exhausted and not worth the cost of giving up your high school years for the thrill and excitement of having that OCSA bumper sticker displayed on your car.She transferred to her local high school this year and I am slowly seeing the light go back into her personality. She joined her theater group in high school, is getting acting opportunities and we can FINALLY see her acting and performing on stage as a high school student.To be fair - many students have wonderful and positive experiences at this school and in their conservatories - but my child was not one of them. Watch your child closely and see how the schedule and conservatory affects them and their academics. It is not a school that is cut out for every child.
Submitted by student on September 24, 2015

I went here for 4 years and we stressed out for some reason. Maybe it was being at school for 13 hours a day but who can be sure. Because of the stress I have to deal with anxiety and stomach problems. The culinary program is a joke and is a great cover up for free labor. Administration was unprofessional and rude. During my time the principle unprofessionally harassed several students and told them they were not allowed to contact administration with their complains despite how polite their letters were. The only thing I got out of this school is how to push through indentured servitude for 4 years for an ok college app. Review from a student who suffered through four years of free labor and now hates cooking.*confetti emojis* BONUS: During the construction of the new building the Tower was in complete disrepair with leaking plumbing in one of the stairways that would flood the third floor and damage drywall. Mold began growing in the stairway and the wall began falling out onto the stairs we used. Not only were people with asthma complaining about spores, but the admin's solution was to cover the holes in the wall up with chipboard. I AM NOT EVEN KIDDING. Giant holes the size of a plasma TV covered up. The mold spread through 3 flights of stairs.
Submitted by parent on August 30, 2015

OCSA is more like a very good college than a high school. The kids are selected through one or two highly competitive auditions depending on their conservatory. Obviously kids are very much ahead of the game when they graduate. I can't compare it to our neighborhood schools. The art conservatory teachers are highly educated and all experts in their field. Academic teachers are like any other good high school in Irvine. The thing that makes this school exceptional is the open and tolerant environment which allows for self expression.
Submitted by parent on April 22, 2015

Unless your child has straight As don't bother applying here. Shady school It is easy to be a blue ribbon school if you can pick and choose your students. I am Native American and can't find a safe school in Santa Ana
Submitted by parent on September 25, 2014

My daughter is a senior and I can say that school counselors are THE BEST. They shine students and OCSA, especially Mrs. Shiroma. I can feel that she loves students and the school. Students and parents can reach her anytime, even nights and weekends. She responses immediately always, even weekend-nights. Mrs. Shiroma is really AMAZING counselor!!!
Submitted by other on June 28, 2014

Not a good place unless you can deal with disappointments. Arts teachers really play favorites - they don't care unless you adore them and give them compliments. Hard to stay motivated because a lot of the kids don't care anymore about improving their talents. They are just there to get through the academics. Some of the conservatories are a joke. Seriously, no one wants to hear suggestions - good place if you never complain. No one is ever supposed to say anything critical about ocsa. Seems like too many secrets are kept - everyone supposed to be happy all the time. We can't even complain about really bad teachers. Admin shut down or ignore any suggestions or comments from the students.
Submitted by parent on June 27, 2014

Not a good school for kids who know the difference between right and wrong. Administration not interested in what is best for the students - they care far more about protecting the image/brand of the school and keeping the money flowing in. Really not interested in helping children with learning issues. Very secretive administration -- what are they hiding? Why have there been so many kids unhappy with their conservatory classes and end up leaving? Does anyone know where to find the data on this? Seems like a significant number of freshmen leave every year.
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2014

My daughter is a junior and she has been at OCSA since 7th grade. I am very pleased with the school academically with the exception of math. The academic load is very challenging and students have to learn how to balance their academic and arts program. The only problem I have with the program is the lack of diversity in the staff and opportunities for ethnic students. They recently hosted a Motown show and there were about three black students in the show. I think they can do better.
Submitted by parent on April 27, 2014

My daughter attending OCSA for 3 years already, I have to say OCSA is one of the best school there is in town. Everyone in this faculty is very good, The teachers teach in the way that all students are excited to study, academic and music. They teach in the fun way that students wants to learn. When my daughter is not doing so well. They have counselor to work with her, me, and the teachers to get her up to good grade again. Thanks to everyone in OCSA...
Submitted by other on February 10, 2014

Ocsa is a wonderful school and I highly recommend it to prospective students. The school gives a great chance to be exposed to possible jobs and hobbies. Many great students have come out of OCSA, both academically and culturally. I am grateful that they opened it up to middle schoolers, or else my daughter would have had to go to a nearby public school that just wasn't an option. Thank you OCSA for providing a safe, encouraging place for my daughter to learn and grow!