Orinda Academy
Community SubscriberOrinda Academy is a small, co-ed private school that serves grades 8-12. Orinda Academy provides personal attention, a structured, supportive setting, and small class sizes. Our mission is to provide a college preparatory education to empower each student to reach his or her full potential as a successful, confident, self-reliant individual, including those smart, creative students with learning differences. We offer a college prep curriculum committed to providing students with academic growth, ambitious and advanced classes.
Parent Q&A
Parent Reviews
Parents, please Sign in to post a review on this page.Our child (she/her) is in the middle of her freshman year at OA, and we can't be happier with this school. The quality of education is excellent, and it works so well for their methods of learning (she has ADHD.) She did her middle school at a one-on-one school but we wanted a larger school for HS. That said, the school is very small, I think there are 6 kids in the freshman class, but the kids from different grades mingle and hang out. The teachers are excellent, they give time to finish homework during class so she almost never brings home homework (which worries us a bit for when college rolls around) but its exactly what she needs right now. The campus is small, but that doesn't seem to matter. She plays dodgeball outside, sits outside with her friends (yes! Friends!) for lunch, they do off campus lunches with an accompanying teacher, they do community service trips, a yearly all school trip, and have a prom. Its a tiny school but for my kid who was bullied relentlessly in middle school, its perfect.
Her favorite class is ASL which is taught by an outstanding deaf woman, and out daughter has found her passion in ASL. (Which I highly recommend) She's reading a wide variety of interesting books in English and learning how to write essays (a skill sorely lacking at OUSD.) She's taking Physics and Geometry and an amazing art class taught by an amazing woman who is really teaching them about art history and styles and is actually challenging, and is doing so well in all her classes. She loves the respectful way the teachers interact with her. She has friends now who love her for exactly who she is. She loves going to school (!!) Its a perfect mix of school and socializing.
Yes, they are having financial troubles, and yes they were thinking they may have had to close at the end of last year, but they reduced staff, did some behind the scenes things, had a HUGE and successful fundraising initiative this year, and are doing far more outreach and having lots of tours for incoming kids, and just sent out an email the other day saying they're staying open for the long term. They're very focused on making the school stronger and its working.
I cannot recommend OA enough for a child who is "different' either in learning styles, lgbtqia+, socially...its very accepting and supporting. They have a full time learning specialist and counselor and college advisor, the teachers are very approachable, OA has an app where we can keep up with their grades-that the teachers actually update regularly. And they implemented a shuttle to pick the kids up at the Orinda Bart station which my child really appreciates. They are constantly looking for things to add and to make the school more like a "normal" school as as it gets bigger again, which will add even more socializing for the kids. I'm very very happy we chose this school for her. I have no more fear or stress about her school, which I've had her entire school career. She's the happiest she's ever been and is really coming into her own.
My 9th grader (they/them) started at Orinda Academy a few months ago, and we've been very pleased. They are autistic and wanted to be at a small school with small classes having other students who needed support (which was also the case at their prior school, Burkard). Our child doesn't tell us much about what goes in their life, but they've said that all of the students and teachers are kind, which was great to hear, especially because our child has characteristics that would make them likely targets of bullying at most other schools. When they briefly went nonverbal at the orientation, nobody made fun of them, and we heard that a few students asked their preferred mode of communication. After coming home from orientation, they spent hours on the phone and computer with their new friend and have since made and kept more.
The learning specialist, counselor, and teachers have been constructive when (small) issues have arisen, such as our child feeling ovewhelmed or wanting to draw on their iPad in art class rather than on paper. We are able to see how classes are going at any time through the parent website, which shows assignment deadlines and detailed grades. They have a lot of support for students with ADHD to help them complete assignments. My child has been able to complete most of their work at school and has not had to do much homework.
We commute all the way from San Francisco because we believe OA is the best school for our child. (It helps that I work in the East Bay.) Other children get to school by BART to the nearby station and then take the school shuttle.
Orinda Academy! Great for bright ADHD kids because the classes are tiny, so the kids are much more engaged. They also provide a lot of support. It’s a very small school, which helps make school days a lot less overwhelming for my teen. Very accepting environment for lgbtqia kids.
+1 for Orinda Academy for a 2e queer kiddo. It is a lovely supportive environment. Teachers and staff are amazing - many of them are teaching there precisely because they did not fit into their schools as kids and want to make the world better for kids like them. <3 OA!
Our 2e non-binary child just started at Orinda Academy, and we are all very happy with it. They made a close friend at the orientation and now have several friends. They tell us that all of the children and teachers at the school are nice. We've been impressed with the staff, including the counselor and learning specialist, who jumped in
to help when our child briefly had a problem. We are also very pleased with the academics and small class size. You should definitely consider OA. I'd be happy to talk off list.
Re: Orinda Academy - if you are considering it, please be sure to ask specific questions about enrollment numbers of each class and about recent staffing changes. The post about financial difficulties is actually not an old, false rumor. In April, current families received a letter signed by the Board of Trustees and Head of School that alluded to enrollment challenges and financial insecurity, and the possibility that the school could close.
The last post suggests that Orinda Academy is "having financial troubles". This assertion is based on an old, false rumor. This wonderful school continues its amazing operations. Our son went there for five years, and the benefits - social, academic, emotional - were innumerable. I am glad to answer any individual questions via private message.
Orinda Academy is a little gem of a school for kids who learn a little differently or just need more support and personalization within the school environment. The kids there are bright kids who for one reason or another, did not thrive at a big public school. The teachers at OA are excellent, really committed and really have a love for teaching. The culture is very welcoming, and lgbtq friendly. They are starting a shuttle service from the East Bay next year.
I recommend you check out Orinda Academy. It's easily accessible by BART, and they run a van to and from the Orinda BART station and the school (or it's a 10-15 minute walk). They are also expanding transportation options for the area, including the North bay.
The school is small, college-prep and supports kids with learning differences. Many of the kids have ADHD and the teachers and staff "get them." My kid (who has autism and anxiety) started in 9th grade and is now a graduating senior going onto college in the fall. I credit Orinda Academy for seeing my student's potential, providing individualized support, and helping my kid gain the skills and experience to be successful. Honestly, staff and teachers told me in 9th grade that they believed my student would be college-ready at senior year but I really didn't feel confident. I found a supportive parent community who shared similar stories and experiences and finally didn't feel alone. The school is growing and I know the school is taking applications for all grades for next year, and they still have financial aid available. They're also adding an 8th grade in the fall.Open houses May 16 at 7:00pm and May 18 at 12:00pm. Check out https://www.orindaacademy.org/ or (925) 254-7553, Happy to talk if you want to DM me.
My daughter went to both Tilden Prep and OA. She had anxiety and ADHD. The biggest difference is 1-1 vs classroom style learning. She did MUCH better with 1-1 as long as she felt comfortable with the teachers, and she loved her Tilden teachers. She did well at Orinda Academy when she liked her teacher and when her anxiety wasn’t overwhelming and making it hard to go to school. She made friends at both schools. I never ever had to struggle to get her to go to school at Tilden. The days of struggle at OA were because of the size and the classroom style learning. People worry that kids who go to Tilden won’t be ready for college, but she did great in college because she was solid academically and she could choose her classes due to her accommodations. It’s hard for kids with ADHD to learn in a classroom setting, so I think Tilden might be ideal for your son. It’s always good to visit all the options and see what you think is the best fit.
My daughter attended Orinda Academy and loved it! She struggled with anxiety, like your son, but immediately felt comfortable at OA and looked forward to going to school each morning. The classes at OA are small and they teachers do a good job of tailoring their classes to the abilities of each kid. My daughter was well-prepared for college (and just graduated.) The only downside of the school that I saw was the size - there aren’t many clubs or sports to choose from - and the boys outnumbered the girls significantly.
My son has started his third year at Orinda Academy. He is thriving there. The teachers and administrators are skillful and supportive, the environment is calm, and small classes mean individualized attention. The curriculum is the same standard curriculum as BHS and they have honors classes for kids who need more of a challenge. There is none of the hallway chaos that caused so much hyped up behavior and anxiety at larger schools. I highly recommend OA. It saved our kid.
Check out Orinda Academy. It is a small school of about 100 kids 9-12th grade. Classes are small (6-10 kids), teachers are wonderful, and the environment is very supportive. My son is doing quite well there. Best of luck!
My daughter who had struggled somewhat with Executive Function issues as well as dyslexia and depression attended Orinda Academy for her senior year and graduated in 2018. She felt like the community was really supportive and the faculty was a good combination of understanding and motivating. One positive sign for us was that she often brought up what they were discussing in classes or projects they were working on. She wanted to have a "regular" high school experience (pre-COVID) without intense and unmanageable pressure. While she didn't really need the extra support the school provides in terms of tracking missing assignments, we were reassured to know that it was there in case things went awry. Our daughter also benefitted from the presence of a Coyote Coast onsite counselor that she could check in with if she was having a hard day as well as Mollie Mowatt, then Dean of Students--who had a really great manner and was a good problem-solver. We drove my daughter to school from Berkeley initially, and then she started taking BART--and would walk to school with other students and get picked up by the school commuter van. I breathed a sigh of relief knowing she was in good hands all day.
My daughter went to Orinda Academy and loved it - she looked forward to going to school everyday, which was a great relief for our family. The teachers are very warm and supportive towards the kids. The academics were good - very individualized to each student and my daughter was well-prepared for college. The downside was the small size of the school - and the population of girl students was even smaller.
Our son currently attends Orinda Academy. If you ask him why he likes OA he will tell you: it’s a nice community, OA has small classes (which he prefers), and the teachers are nice. He immediately felt welcomed by students and staff on his first visit to campus! I believe at any school – large or small – you will find students who are more social than other students, but I think it’s the school community that can make a huge difference for a student feeling connected to their school. The students at OA are truly a community where students can be who they are. OA’s supportive community of teachers, staff and administration take the time to get to know the families and most importantly each individual student.
Hello,
You might want to check out Orinda Academy. It's a small private school in Orinda, and they have wonderful support for kids with anxiety. They have two counselors that are there to support the students, as well as an amazing head of school, Sue Porter, who is a psychologist as well, and has a wonderful rapport with all of the students. The teachers are so dedicated to the students, and because the class sizes are so small, they really know each student very well. The classes are academically rigorous and at times, challenging, but the teachers are very understanding and are willing to adapt or modify if there are difficulties with completing an assignment, or meeting a deadline, due to learning differences or emotional issues. My son struggles with anxiety, and it's been a very supportive atmosphere for him. Please feel free to contact me, and I'd happy to chat. Take care and good luck with your search!
I am not personally familiar with Holden High School, but I am familiar with Orinda Academy (OA) in Orinda. OA is a small independent high school. As a parent I appreciate the support of the OA community – the teachers, staff and administration take the time to get to know the families and most importantly each individual student. They recognize that each student has their own approach to studying and learning and they work with each student to accommodate their needs and develop a learning plan that is challenging. The community provides a safe place for students to be who they are and encourages students to explore their interests. OA is focused on preparing students for their future by encouraging students to advocate for themselves, by providing learning opportunities outside of the classroom through Educational Adventure Week and clubs, as well as offering music and art programs.
Our son began Orinda Academy in the 8th grade and is currently in the 9th grade. Like your son, he is academically successful, has had executive functioning challenges, and may or may not respond fully to the interview process. Classes at OA are typically small groups of kids and certain classes are offered in a supervised, online process. The kids tend to be generally warm and inclusive, and the faculty seem to genuinely care about each student, so that feeling of "getting lost" does not apply here. We'd encourage you to visit the school and see whether you imagine that your child would do well there. We recommend it highly.
I forgot two wonderful services that Orinda academy provides. If homework is not turned in, then the student immediately goes on missing homework list. An email goes out that same afternoon to the student, the parents, the counselor and the dean of students notifying them that homework is missing and s/he must report to study hall during all the free periods the next day. ( there's typically at least one free period each day.) The students stays on missing work and must go to study hall every day until the homework is turned in. It keeps the student completely current and takes the onus off the parents. The school also sends out a progress report with comments from each teacher every two weeks.
Please check out Orinda Academy. Your son sounds like mine. Mine also has learning differences. He struggled mightily through public middle school and started at OA as a freshman. He was a different kid almost immediately. Not that his LD and ADD problems went away, but his self esteem and view of school became dramatically better. He loves the small classes and actually enjoys going to school. On the LD and executive functioning, he still needed and needs tutoring. He is now a senior. He never would have made it through the public school.
Archived Q&A and Reviews
Oct 2013
Re: Private high school for disorganized smart kid
Do visit Orinda Academy in Orinda and talk with them. Spend a day visiting as well. Sounds far but it's very near the BART station in Orinda and many students take BART there. The faculty and staff are great, small classes and a very good and structured environment. parent of Orinda Grad
Dec 2012
My son attends the Orinda Academy. He transferred to Orinda Academy from a public high school. Orinda Academy is a small school which takes great care in the education of its students. My son is dyslexic and dysgraphic and Orinda Academy has done everything to accommodate his needs and also to teach him how to use the technology available to address his issues with reading and writing. I have found that everyone at the school from the head of the school Ron Graydon to all of the teachers to be very accessible and to do their best to meet the needs of the individual students. The school has a college preparatory curriculum and strict accountability for work to be completed. I am confident that my son will be well prepared to attend college following graduation from Orinda Academy. I would suggest to any parent whose son or daughter may benefit from a smaller school to carefully look at Orinda Academy. The other convenient aspect of Orinda Academy is that it is close to the Orinda Bart station. My son took Bart to and from OA and it worked out very well for everyone. OA parent
Oct 2012
We are considering Orinda Acadamy for high school (9-12) for our son. On the academic side it appears to be just what he needs. I've read the past reviews and they address that well. (he has mild LD, but is smart and engaging.) It's the social side that I would love to hear about. The current 9th and 11th grades have 17 kids each, the other 2 grades have 24 each, if I remember this correctly. What are the kids like there? My son is very open to kids, but is a bit immature and doesn't read social cues well. He always seems to make new friends but doesn't sustain them. Are there enough kids at the school that he will find somebody? Are there any cliques, possible even in a small school? What happens when kids have a falling out? What about dating? If you don't mind, I would love to talk directly with some OA parents. Thanks linda
My son graduated from Orinda Academy recently, and your description of your son and his social skills sound a lot like my son when he entered OA. The social scene at OA was very nice for him. The majority of kids are very open and sweet and supportive of one another, and I didn't see evidence of cliques. He had had trouble making friends in middle school, and made some good friends at OA. Romantic relationships can be difficult because the school is so small that when you break up, you can't avoid the other person. This caused some anguish. On the whole, though, I thought that the supportive social environment was one of the best things about OA. Anon
Dec 2011
Does anyone have current information about Orinda Academy. We are considering it for our son. The census seems to be down, but that could be due to the economy. Or it may be due to something else that I am unaware of. I want a school that will give him interesting peers and a solid education. I am attracted to the hands on approach by the teachers etc. Any comments are appreciated. Thanks Lamorinda Mom
Orinda Academy has been a great school for our daughter - she's been there for three years now. The teachers are very good, really work with each kid who wants/needs help and are extremely good on feedback. They do a progress report for every student every 2-3 weeks that gives concrete suggestions and updates that's been really helpful for our daughter who can see clearly where she's doing well and where she needs to focus more. They have a number of clubs, social get togethers and a good variety of off campus activities including an ''Educational Adventures Week'' in the spring with 6-8 choices for the week ranging from travel out of the country, Plays in Ashland, Oregon, community service, photography, etc. Compared to other small schools we've also found the best balance of creative choices- art, drama, dance, music. I think enrollment for many smaller schools who don't want to grow into a large private school is hard given the economy. We think the school is a great choice. Clearly there's not the social environment of a big campus but that's also a plus for many kids who need a kinder environment where they aren't lost crowd. Happy to be at Orinda Academy
Hello. I have a senior at Orinda Academy. He started the summer before 9th grade. We are very very grateful for this school. Our son is a sweet, gentle, smart kid with learning differences. He has always been young for his age and naive about other kids, their motivations, etc. We had him in a variety of private and parochial schools trying to address his learning needs, but when bullying became the issue, he became a home schooled kid. After three years of that, he was hungry for social interaction and wanted to go to high school; he ended up at Orinda Academy. The teachers have been amazingly warm, thoughtful, and not least, good teachers. The curriculum has kept him challenged and he has done well. With many schools in our area, the comfort of the student is entirely lost in the name of competition and fierce academics. I am quite confident that our son has gotten a good education and more importantly, his interest in learning and his confidence in his ability have all improved. When social problems have arisen, and they have been few, the school responded appropriately and speedily. Although the tuition is high, it is sadly what it takes to educate a child in a private system. What is most fortunate about Orinda Academy is that we got all the benefits that we would expect in a private system; good academics, excellent individual support, happy and inclusive community, and an accepting place for a sweet, happy but maybe not mainstream boy. Good luck with your school search. r.
Orinda Academy is an incredible school. In fact, we are so grateful to the school that we are continuing to make an annual donation even after our son has left the school. (This is also why I'm motivated to write in here. I have absolutely no investment in providing this info other than that I want other kids to benefit the way my son did.) Orinda Academy provides a lovely, nurturing environment, and the class sizes are intentionally small. Because of the small size of the school, kids get a lot of interaction right through the grades - which provides a wonderful sense of freedom and flexibility. Our son is very smart, but he was an expert at sliding under the radar and getting straight back to his computer. OA has a level of structure that makes this behavior noted and reported - without at all coming across as a 'police state.' I'd send your kid there - he'd be lucky to be in this wonderful community. PK
We sent our son to Orinda Academy for 9th grade because his behavior in 8th grade at King MS led us to believe that he did not have the self control, confidence nor interest in anything besides getting high to able to make it at Berkeley High. Presently, he is in a therapeutic boarding school in Montana. We are learning about his experiences at OA as he ''discloses'' in his current program. At OA, he regularly embezzled funds from his cafeteria fund by convincing the cashier that he needed the cash back to get home on BART and convincing us he was starving so we replenished his account weekly. He used that money to buy drugs. We also learned that he left school nearly every day after lunch. The school never called us and, in fact, he got his best grades in those afternoon classes. (At the same time, the teaching faculty was fantastic and went out of their way to meet with us and try to help him pull it together.) My beef is with the structure of the school that promises a better eye on kids than you get at a larger school, but actually allowed our child to get away with a great deal of truancy (at least BUSD leaves a phone message). His drug problems became worse and we were fearful that his behaviors were leading to juvenile hall or death, so we resorted to sending him away. He is now doing well, but I can't help but wonder what might have happened had he experienced 9th grade elsewhere. been there
Orinda Academy was a wonderful school for our son, an intelligent young person with significant learning disabilities and an extremely asymmetric academic profile. Prior to attending Orinda Academy, he was often teased and bullied by his peers, and generally overlooked or dismissed by teachers, as not intelligent until the spring of the academic year, if at all. Ernest and likable enough, he nevertheless had a great deal of trouble completing his homework, keeping track of his possessions, and following directions. Throughout elementary school, I worried about his future. He attended OA from the seventh grade throughout high school.
He's now a very successful junior in college, managing his coursework at two campuses of a consortium of schools, TA-ing two courses, largely supporting himself with a campus job he loves and some freelance projects. He's identified, applied for, and completed prestigious internships in different cities each summer, while living on his own, and will do so again next summer.
Orinda Academy helped our son grow up, respecting him and us, his parents, while assisting him to use his strengths to manage his weaknesses and become a competent, confident, independent and realistic adult. He is still in touch with several of his teachers from the school, occasionally meets one for lunch when in town, and drops in to visit the school once a year. Sure, there were some bumps along the way, but it was overall a wonderful high school for someone like him. Grateful OA Parent
March 2011
Re: Choosing a high school for our daughter
If you're looking for a small school environment, good teacher support and communication, confidence building for students and really important school feedback for both students and parents Orinda Academy is a good choice. You should visit and talk with students and faculty. It's a few blocks from BART in Orinda so is good for many students from Oakland/Berkeley who take Bart. We've especially appreciated, as parents, a progress update every 2-3 weeks that each student gets. It's really helped our daughter stay focused and those that are falling behind know quickly. The report is emailed to parents as well. It's been good for building our daughter's confidence in many ways. Thanks... Orinda Academy Parent
Feb 2011
We are beginning to think about high schools for one of our children who has some learning differences, primarily in executive function, as well as some social/emotional challenges. We've been looking at various 9-12 schools, public and private, and at this point feel well-versed in various schools' approaches to learning and social/emotional differences. We know that we will need to find an environment that has a blend of academic AND social/emotional structure and support. And we've found that the most crucial place for that structure/support is in the classroom, with the most crucial practitioners being teachers rather than learning support staff. That said, can anyone weigh in about the faculty at Orinda Academy -- in terms of their ability to differentiate instruction, their training (past and present) in working with students with learning differences, and the support that they receive from administration and other staff in that work? It seems clear that the school's overall philosophy and approach is inclusive and supportive of students with differences, but we are curious how that actually translates into the classrooms. Thanks! Deliberating Parents
I have a son who has been at Orinda Academy for four years. He has very strong and supportive relationships with most of his teachers, and they have almost all been very responsive.
The one area of frustration for me is that we have shared information with the school about the accommodations our son needs, and the school doesn't seem to have a system for making sure that all of the teachers understand his needs and provide accommodations. For example, he has dysgraphia and needs to do all of his work on his laptop. Time and again, teachers have in-class worksheets that require handwritten answers, or assignments and tests that are not adapted to the laptop. When we remind teachers about the accommodations needed, they always do it. But it feels like we shouldn't have to go over the same ground constantly, especially at such a small school where one would expect communications would be easier.
That said, I feel like the school is making much more of an effort to be friendly to students with learning differences. I suggest that you start off with a plan to implement accommodations, and check in periodically.
My son also has executive function problems, and OA has been great at helping him. He's now a senior, gets all of his work done without intervention from his parents, is on the honor roll, and has been accepted to several colleges. When he started in 9th grade as an extremely disorganized and demoralized kid, I never thought that would be possible. Anon
I am writing in response to a question posted Feb. 4th about Orinda Academy, a small college prep independent high school in Orinda, Ca. My son, a junior, has been at OA for 3 years. Orinda Academy has been a great school for my son. This is a fantastic school that provides the structure that empowers students to take responsibility for their learning. Within the classroom teachers really care about the student and are willing to provide extra time and extra assignments to help all of their students succeed. For example if your child isn't a good test taker, he/she will need to take all classroom tests (as is appropriate), but then the teacher will provide ways that your student can do other kinds of assignments (more fitting to their personal strengths) and then be able to beef up their grades. I've found teachers always respond to any concerns that I have in a timely manner and are always willing to work with my son. OA gladly takes students with Learning Differences as long as they are willing and motivated to do the work and will meet the teachers half way. I believe their motto of 3 rings, teachers/students/families working together is absolutely true. My son has been incredibly successful at Orinda Academy and is looking forward to a successful college path after next year. Most importantly he feels smart, and valued and has learned how to take responsibility for his own education. SB
Jan 2011
We are a two mom family interested in Orinda Academy for our child. Does anyine have any experience with this school- positive or negative- regarding the environment of inclusivity around LGBT families? PLease let me know your thoughts even if they don't seem significant. Any observations or reflections about this issue would be valuable. Thank you.
My son goes to OA, and he has a terrific group of friends who are gay, straight and transgender. He's straight, and he thinks that it is completely unremarkable that he has such a diverse group of friends -- which I think is wonderful. The school provides a very welcoming and accepting community for the kids.
I can't recall if I have met any LGBT parents at OA, but given the diversity of the students and the acceptance of the school and community, I would think that an LGBT family would feel just fine. Carrie
May 2010
Re: Looking for a High School for unhappy Orinda teen
Dear Rebecca, I think Orinda Academy may be perfect for your teen. It has a warm and nurturing environment; all the classes are conducted in small group learning environments; the school has an active anti-bullying policy; and the school actively follows a pre-college curriculum, with many strategies in place to assist kids who have LDs. It is not a charter or public school, but truly, the vast number of families at OA are there not because they are wealthy, but because they have found the very best environment for their teenagers. I am a teaching professional with a PhD and I understand something about creative learning. I have been delighted with Orinda Academy, where our son has flourished and where he actually WANTS to be at school. You could contact the director, Ron Graydon (Ron [at] orindaacademy.org), or the Admissions Officer. I'm also including my email address in case you want more info from me. Good Luck! Philippa
Take a look at Orinda Academy. They have a good arts and dance program, classes are small and students get to know their teachers. Also, the kids at the school are really nice and supportive of one another. Good luck. OA Parent
June 2009
Re: Student with mild aspergers looking for high school
Orinda Academy has many students with a variety of special needs, including Asperger's, and caters to them with small classes, lots of individual attention, careful academic monitoring, and efforts to build a supportive, accepting community. The school just doesn't like to position itself as a special needs school. This baffles some of its parents and pleases others. Visit for a day. Summer school starts soon, if it's not already in session. Summer school is a little different from the regular academic year, and gets a somewhat wider spectrum of students, but visiting now will still introduce you to many of the teachers and several of the regular students who are either making up missed work or getting ahead, and the general style of the place. If you like it, your daughter can visit for a day, too, and can shadow a current student. The administration can connect you with some of the Parent Group Board members, to answer specific questions from a parent's point of view. -Happy OA parent of successful LD kid
My son is at Orinda Academy and we couldn't be happier with the school. The philosophy of the school is that the very small classes and quick feedback make it possible to accommodate different learning styles while not in any way compromising a pre-college curriculum.
As for your daughter's mild asberger's, my advice would be to go to the school and ask for an interview with the head of the school, Ron Graydon. He is an extremely principled person who is not going to tell you that the school is right for her unless it is. I feel absolutely sure about this. He is very experienced and wise in terms of not only educational issues, but interpersonal dynamics amongst teens. P
There was a post about Orinda Academy in the last 'parents of teens' newsletter (see 'Happy OA parent of successful LD kid') in which the writers said the school has many sudents with a variety of special needs, including Aspergers. I am a member of the parent group board and have run this post by the director of the school, Ron Graydon. Ron mentions that in the entire school there is only 1 student with very mild Aspergers, and that well-meaning posts like this one misrepresent the school's mission and student body. If your daughter is looking for a special needs school that specifically addresses Asperger's students you might consider Orion Academy in Moraga, or Springstone School in Lafayette. For a special needs education (not specifically Aspergers) you might try Sterne School in San Francisco or Star Academy in San Rafael (SA caters for grades 1 through 10). Orinda Academy provides an excellent, inclusive college prep environment for a diverse range of students, and it strives very well to accommodate moderate learning style differences and to provide a positive and supportive culture where all students can work to their potential. It has been hugely successful for our son, who is very bright but has focus issues. P
I want to offer a suggestion to the parent looking at Orinda academy for their child with mild AS. I think that it is very important to the administration to protect their school from having a reputation for having LD children and the response from the director reflects that. It is not however in my opinion (as the parent of a child attending Orinda) that it was a typo. Orion is better suited for child with severe LD issues. Orinda could be an excellent choice for milder LD issues. It would depend on the issues your child faces. It is very small and most of the children have some type of concern that brings them to the school. The teachers are caring and available to work out individualized learning plans that can maximize your childC",b"s success. I think it is an excellent option that should be considered. I'm sorry that the administration shies away from acknowledging that. Been there parent
June 2009
Re: Help in Choosing a Private High School?
This isn't answering exactly the question you posed, about finding a counselor to help find an appropriate middle private school for your kids, but it does address the underlying question, from someone who's been there. Our son, who graduates high school this week, had an IEP in elementary school, and an asymmetric academic profile, with significant, quirky handicaps. Along the way and at a similar juncture to yours, we looked at several schools, including: The Community School (now the middle school at Park Day -- a great community with a developed curriculum of social responsibility, but not quite the right fit, unless we provided outside support), Orinda Academy (the best fit for us), The Archway School (small), Gateway High School (public school focused on LD kids, in SF, open to all in Bay Area, by lottery, do not need an IEP to apply), & Drew (high school in SF). We looked at many more.
Any school can be uneven, and Orinda Academy was sometimes, too, but it also offered some truly inspiring teachers and academic opportunities. for the most part, teachers there, were on our son's side, every day. They cared. Additionally, a few unique programs & processes in place there were crucial to his ultimate success: 1) most teachers encourage and give credit to students who revise work to correct errors, or produce another draft, of any assignment and often even tests; 2) teachers meet the students where they are, academically, and begin there; 3) students with incomplete homework must attend study hall the following day; 4) many classes have students from multiple grades; 5) the administration is flexible, within reason, about accommodating unusual academic requests; 6) there are written progress reports from every teacher, every two weeks; while some comments are perfunctory, many are not. Good luck. :-)
March 2009
Re: Considering alternatives to public high school
Consider Orinda Academy for your teen. Small class size with a lot of individual attention, responsive teachers, nice kids, accepting community. My son is a sophomore there, and is thriving. Anon
Feb 2009
I am a parent of a child at Orinda Academy, a small independent school in Orinda, California. This is a wonderful small school for bright, college bound students, who thrive in a nurturing, structured, high school environment. Class size is small, students and parents have access to teachers and the administration values a diverse student body. This school has been a great fit for my son and I speak with experience as a teacher (at another school) who has had one child attend public school and now has one child in private school. I am writing this letter because many perspective parents and students are unaware of how excellent and wonderful this school is. If anyone would like more information about Orinda Academy from a parent who is currently involved with the school, I would be glad to speak with you. S.
Oct 2008
Re: High School for learning disabled teens
Take a look at Orinda Academy (private, in Orinda), The Gateway School (public, in SF but accepts kids from all over the Bay Area, through a lottery system), and Drew (private, SF). Also check out the Parents Education Network, or PEN, a tremendous resource, sponsoring lectures, workshops and a well maintained website: www.parentseducationnetwork.org .
Orinda Academy is not specifically for kids with learning disabilities; but they do have a learning specialist on staff and make an effort to accept and accommodate varied learning styles. Classes are small and kids can participate in multiple grade levels simultaneously to match their skill set (e.g. 12th grade English and Algebra I in the same year). Most classes use a mastery learning system, in which grades can be improved by making corrections. Mandatory study halls for those who do not complete homework encourage development of good study habits. -OA parent
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
After struggling with getting support for our son in the public school system, as well as continued social issues, we enrolled our son last year at Orinda Academy.
The move to Orinda Academy has been a game changer. We no longer hover over him to get his schoolwork done, he has friends, and he loves the school environment. For me, the best part has been the positive change to his self-esteem. My son is now confident and comes out of school laughing and joking with his friends.
It is a return to the happy boy who disappeared when we entered public school.
Hi. I have a senior at Orinda Academy, and she has been there since freshman year. She does not have ADHD, but has some dyslexia and is also just a person that thrives in a more personal, smaller educational environment that, as you say, supports individual learning styles. She has often mentioned how supportive and kind the staff and teachers are, and how she feels comfortable communicating and asking for help as needed. The place itself is calm and quiet with many places to hang out and rest or study during breaks and study hall. The staff is very committed and communicative. Head-of-school Nancy Rowland is 100% in, and works tirelessly forging and shaping the school in the present, and for the future.
Our 9th grader started at OA this year. He also has ADHD. We found that district traditional schools just couldn't serve his needs, and he was starting to feel stupid. We'd get reports from the teachers where they'd say X is so smart, but... It was really disheartening.
OA does a great job helping the kids get up to speed with high academic standards - he has two study periods with teachers to help with homework. They understand kids with ADHD, and what they need to stay on track and learn those tasks they need for improved executive functioning. We had open house last week - it was great to see the small classes and how well the teachers knew each kid and what they needed. The teachers could really focus on what each kid needs - your kid needs more homework to practice, done; kid b needs XYZ encouragement, done; etc. To be completely honest, it feels like their teaching methods could benefit any kid - ADHD or otherwise. But definitely the small atmosphere has been great. We were a little worried that the small school would lack diversity (and our kid would be the one brown kid), but that has not been the case.
We have an older son in a traditional district high school, from our experience so far with OA it is more academically rigorous than what we've experienced with our older son's school. OA gives digital access to his daily homework, grades, teacher feedback, so we're seeing exactly what he's working on and how he's doing.
So far, really happy with our decision for our son to attend OA.
I dont have experience at Orinda Academy-- we did consider them as well, but we eventually went with Bentley. Our son has adhd inattentive and Bentley has a small class size (61 total Freshman) and also has a nuerodiverse club for kids with learning differences. They do have executive function requirements but they provide a great team for our son to teach him to advocate for himself. We liked the idea of still having some autonomy in a more structured/typical class setting so he could learn how to advocate for himself. I would give them a look if you haven't as we have been impressed so far with their policy and support for nuerodivergent kids.
We also have a teen with ADHD who just was not thriving at our local high school. They were simultaneously bored, disengaged and yet stressed. They dreaded going to school every day.
OA is so much different. Classes are tiny so they are much more conversational and engaging. The kids get a lot of individual attention. There are study periods built into the day so they can have some help with homework. The teachers are all excellent. My teen likes that it’s very small because they find it more peaceful. I’d say it isn’t good for a kid super into sports…but that’s pretty obvious. 🤣
The best part is that they don’t hate going to school every day!
They also offer financial aid, and have some transportation options from the East Bay (at an additional cost).
My 9th grader (they/them) started at Orinda Academy a few weeks ago, and we've been very pleased. They are autistic and wanted to be at a small school with small classes having other students who needed support (which was also the case at their prior school). Our child doesn't tell us much about what goes in their life, but they've said that all of the students and teachers are kind, which was great to hear. When they briefly went nonverbal at the orientation, nobody made fun of them, and we heard that a few students asked their preferred mode of communication. When they felt overwhelmed on their second day of school, the learning specialist and counselor were very helpful, and everyone has been willing to make sure they have any accommodations they need. With the exceptions of those bumps, they like school and especially the friends they've made there. We feel they're in good hands.
Feel free to contact me off-list if you have any more questions.
Thank you for your posts about Orinda Academy! This is helpful, encouraging, and addresses my concerns about finding a good fit for my student with anxiety and ADHD.