School Profile

 

The School

Orinda Academy is a private, non-profit, co-educational school serving grades 7-12. Founded in 1982, Orinda Academy offers a challenging and enriching college preparatory program that meets state education frame-works, UC college entrance requirements, and is accepted by four-year colleges and universities worldwide. Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), Orinda Academy strives to engage each student to reach his or her full potential as a confident, successful and self-reliant individual.

 

Academics

Orinda Academy's solid college preparatory curriculum is strengthened by a variety of electives, Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Honors courses are available in the following subjects: United States History, Biology, American Literature, and British and Western Literature. AP courses are offer in English Literature, Composition and Spanish Language. Student placement in Honors/AP courses is based on academic achievement and teacher recommendation. Honor Roll status is earned with a 3.0 GPA per semester in academic courses. Dean's List status is earned with a 3.5 GPA per semester in academic courses.

 

Admissions

Orinda Academy seeks students who have an enthusiastic desire to learn and a clear commitment to succeed academically, as well as personally/individually/spiritually. The school draws students from area public, private college preparatory, and religious schools within a 50-mile radius and attracts international students from around the world.

 

Our Community

We have a vibrant community of 15 faculty members and up to 120 students. The teacher student ratio is 1:8.

Our students commute from all over the Bay Area, including the following communities:

Alameda, Alamo, Antioch, Berkeley, Concord, Danville, El Cerrito, El Sobrante, Kensington, Lafayette, Martinez, Moraga, Oakland, Orinda, Piedmont, Pinole, Pleasant Hill, Richmond, San Francisco, San Leandro, Walnut Creek.

 

Grading Policy

Grade Point Average is based on a 4.0 scale. Physical Education is not included in the Grade Point Average. Honors and AP courses receive one additional grade point per course. Course grades are determined from the following percentages:

100% - 90%	A	Excellent (4 Grade Points)
89% - 80%	B	Good (3 Grade Points)
79% - 70%	C	Average (2 Grade Points)
69% - 60%	D	Below Average (Passing) (1 Grade Point)
Below 60%	F	Fail (No Credit) (0 Grade Points)

 

Honor Roll

is earned with a 3.0-3.49 GPA per semester in academic courses (no D's or F's).

Dean's List

is earned with a 3.5 or higher GPA per semester in academic courses (no D's or F's).

Student of the Quarter/Semester

is earned by achieving 4 grade points or higher in each academic course.

 

Graduation Requirements

                                                                                                                                                                                          

Course	Years
English (including 1 yr of Adv Comp)	4
Mathematics	3
United States History	1
Civics/Economics	1
Additional Social Science	1
Science	2
Foreign Language or Fine Arts	1
Physical Education	3
Health	1 Semester
Community Service	40 Hours

 

 

SAT Results

                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Class	Verbal	Math	Combine
2005 - 2006	576	570	1146
2005 - 2004	601	563	1165
2004 - 2003	573	606	1179
2003 - 2002	600	639	1239
2002 - 2001	602	584	1186
Average:	590	592	1183

 

 

Tuition & Fees

Tuition for the 2008-2009 academic year is $23,995.

The materials fee is $625.

Books are not included.

 

Arts

Students interested in performing arts have the opportunity to participate in our annual drama production, student talent show, musical performances and music production (vocal & instrumental).

 

Student Resources

 

Advising

Each teacher serves as an advisor to 10 students during the course of the school year. Our distinctive teacher advisory program combines academic advising with personal mentorship to foster a supportive learning community.

 

Learning Support Services

Nurturing the individual strengths and academic needs of each student is the goal of our on-site Learning Specialist. Students can schedule individual or group sessions during the school day to enhance specific subject area knowledge, establish effective application of study strategies, master time management and self-advocacy skills, or to improve overall in-class performance.

 

International Travel

The Educational Adventures Program has grown through the years to support our mission and philosophy. Annual trips are offered to enrich the curriculum. Past travel opportunities have been to Japan, Russia, Costa Rica, Greece, Turkey, Galapagos Islands, Yosemite, Big Sur, and many more.