The curriculum at Oakland School for the Arts is designed to provide students with the skills, knowledge, and confident professionalism specified in our educational program to enable each student to:

  • Be creative and innovative
  • Develop techniques and skills in at least one artistic area
  • Speak in their own artistic voices with authority
  • Communicate effectively
  • Develop and maintain a global perspective
  • Satisfy college admissions requirements
  • Seek solutions
  • Think in an interdisciplinary mode

The goals of the curriculum are met through the following subjects: Arts Management, Dance, English, Instrumental Music, Literary Arts, Mathematics, Romance Languages, Science, Social Science, Theater, Visual Arts and Vocal Music.

Grading Policy

To communicate the grading policies to students, parents and guardians, each teacher shall file a course syllabus defining the grading standards for each of his/her courses. These syllabi will identify the criteria upon which each grade will be based, as well as the expectation for each grade. A copy of this statement will be given to students and the parents/guardians at the beginning of the semester.

Grade Promotion
Students are promoted to the next grade level by achieving a minimum passing grade of C- or above in all classes.  Failure in any core course will result in failure of the grade.

High School Graduation Requirements
All academic courses at OSA fulfill the University of California’s stringent A-G requirements.  In addition, in almost all areas, OSA’s graduation requirements exceed the State of California graduation requirements.
  • 4 years Language Arts
  • 3 years Mathematics (UC Recommends 4)*:
  • Algebra 1 (Required--can be taken in middle school)
  • Algebra 2 (Required)
  • Geometry (Required)
  • Statistics (Elective)
  • Pre-Calculus (Elective)
  • AP Calculus (Elective)
  • 3 years of Social Studies
  • 3 years of Science (2 lab sciences)
  • 2 years of World Languages (UC Recommends 3)
  • 1 year of PE
  • 4 years of Arts Emphasis
  • Successful passage of CAHSEE
The state of California requires that all students pass the state high school exam (CAHSEE).
    • Students will have a number of opportunities to pass exams in Mathematics and English/Language Arts. Once a student passes an exam section, he/she does not have to take it again. Students who do not pass the exam but meet all other graduation requirements will receive a certificate of completion, but not a diploma. Students begin taking the exam in the tenth grade.
Physical Education
    • One year of PE is required and can be met through Dance for students who qualify. Students will participate in mandated physical fitness testing as required by law.
UC & California State University Admission Requirements
Graduating 12th graders wishing to qualify for regular admission to a California State University must have:
  • Qualifying eligibility index comprised of the GPA and test scores from the SAT I or ACT;
  • High school diploma, satisfactory GED scores or California Equivalency certificate;
  • Satisfactory completion of the comprehensive pattern of college preparatory high school subjects.
Students applying for admission to a University of California campus must complete the 15 units of high school coursework (currently known as the A-G subjects) listed below. One unit equals two semesters of one academic year of study.

In addition, students must meet an eligibility index comprised of the SAT I (or ACT), the SAT II English, the SAT II Mathematics, and a third SAT II score. An alternative way to gain admission to a University of California campus is through the Eligibility by Examination Alone path. A third and new path titled “Eligibility in the Local Context” is available for students entering the University of California system beginning in the fall 2001 semester.  For complete details, go the website:
http://www.ucop.edu/doorways

University of California Subject Requirements
  • A. HISTORY/SOCIAL SCIENCE:
    • Two years required including one year of world history, cultures, and geography and one year of U.S. history or one-half year of U.S. history and one-half year of civics or American government.
  • B. ENGLISH:
    • Four years of college-preparatory English that include frequent and regular writing, and reading of classic and modern literature.
  • C. MATHEMATICS:
    • Three years of college-preparatory mathematics that include all topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry.
  • D. LABORATORY SCIENCE:
    • Two years of laboratory science providing fundamental knowledge in at least two of these three disciplines: biology (which includes anatomy, physiology, marine biology, aquatic biology, etc.), chemistry, and physics. Three years are recommended.
  • E. LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH:
    • Two years of the same language other than English.
    • Three years are recommended.
  • F. VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS:
    • One year, including dance, drama/theater, music, or visual art.
  • G. COLLEGE PREPARATORY ELECTIVE:
    • In addition to those courses required in “a-f” above, one year (two semesters) of college-preparatory electives are required, chosen from advanced visual and performing arts, history, social science, English, advanced mathematics, laboratory science, and language other than English
      H.  AP COURSES:
      OSA offers some AP courses in addition to its general curriculum.  Currently OSA provides AP Govt, AP English, AP Psychology, and AP Calculus. These are college level courses that meet all College Board requirements and are geared toward students taking the AP exam and receiving college credit. " 
 
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