Orange County Preparatory Academy opened last fall in the old Page Private School facility. I decided to transfer my youngest child from the public school she was attending after a few bad years. Getting the postcard in the mail telling me that OCPA was opening was honestly one of the best things that could have happened. Before I switched my daughter I did my research about charter schools and the company that manages OCPA, Charter School Associates. I'd recommend any parents that are considering it do the same research. I found that they had several good schools, and I was hopeful that this new one would follow in those same footsteps. So, as for my review of the school... the beginning of the school year was rough, with the expected growing pains and some unexpected ones. Traffic was a nightmare, the principal left, and loads of other little things. Now, at the half way point in the year it appears that most things have been smoothed out. And I am very happy we switched. I love that this school is a K-8 school (currently to 7th, but 8th is supposed to be added next year). The school is supposed to focus on STEM, and in the fall all grades participated in a school-wide science fair. For a new school they have really hit the ground running with awesome events for the kids. At Halloween they had a trunk-or-treat, which was loads of fun. They also did a storybook day and had a school-wide fairy tale bowl with questions about the stories. The school provides after school tutoring and several clubs. The addition of clubs came later in the year than I would have liked, but we are really happy about the options. My daughter is in the after care program. One huge perk over the public school she was at is that they only charge you for days the child attends. Since my daughter only has to go to after care a few days a week I save money by not having to pay for the whole week like I used to. Since this is a charter school they wear uniforms. They had a few sales events at the school where we could purchase them and I had no problems with the uniform company. So far my daughter really likes wearing the uniform, and it makes getting ready in the morning super easy. That's all I can think of. I'm assuming if you are reading this review you may be thinking about switching to the school, so feel free to send me a note and I'll answer questions. read more

Orange County Preparatory Academy - Front of the school (on a cloudy afternoon) - Elementary Schools Near Me - Orlando, Florida

My children and I have been a member of the OCPA community since its beginning. As such, we've seen the school make some great strides, especially over this last year in particular. Yes, OCPA does have its positives and negatives, like any other school might. But OCPA's very accessible administration and small classroom sizes lend a very personal touch to each child's learning experience. The principal, Mr Higgins, and fellow administrator, Mr Austin, have been consistent and dedicated contributions to OCPA's improvement this year. Under this new leadership, I have seen more new programming such as organized athletic teams with winning records, various educational/STEM nights, and fun field days, just to name a few that I've personally participated in. I believe the structure and culture that Higgins and Austin have instilled have grown the school's support staff and allowed for some great momentum this year. For that, I give OCPA 4 stars. With only more improvement in OCPA's future, I am sure that it will earn the 5th star sooner than later! read more

If I could give a 0 I would. The principal is incompetent and blamed my daughter for being bullied This is not why we put our children in charter schools, we put them in because we expect them to have better staff and a better education. This place is totally mismanaged. They had her enrolled in 6th grade and continued to send her to 6grade classes even after it was brought to their attention. Nothing is set up correctly and nothing was handled on time. Even after my husband explained the custody arrangement for my stepdaughter, they handed her mother a car pass without even checking ID. But this bullying episode was the last straw read more

There is both negative and positive comments for OCPA, but for me personally... I love this school. Yes communication could be better, but again for me, I am very involved so I know what is happening. My son is doing great here! We have been blessed with 2 years of wonderful teachers. I am very upfront with my child's teachers and what kind of parent that I am. I want to know what is happening, but I am also not a "Helicopter" parent. Both years, I have found to be a team with his teachers and both have done right by him. This year his teacher contacted me regarding some concerns and with our "togetherness" we are learning that he may have a small learning/processing issues. Together we are working to help him and so far he has improved some. Every school is going to have their issues and this school just had a really bad start when the doors opened and it was in a downward spiral. However, this year we have a committed Principal who has is fantastic with the children, who all the teachers seem to like very much and who has a true want to make this school great. With anything new, you have to tweak and adjust and unfortunately it is involving our children and that can be hard to swallow. My child has been very successful here and I have always been 100% for OCPA. Teachers are given the freedom to run their classrooms as they wish, OCPA DOES NOT TEACH THE TESTS (FSA is NOT the focus throughout the year like in true county schools) and teachers are NOT FORCED to teach CC. They will touch on subject matters of CC, but it is not a forced way of teaching. There was a comment posted on Yelp from a parent in regards to the "PTSO Henchman".... I am the Vice President of the said "PTSO Henchman" Squad and I take much offense to your comment. We give ample amount of notice of all events where volunteer hours can be earned, we have a PTSO email sign up where you will be sent our newsletter (along with it sent home with your student(s), are you apart of this list? Are you a member of the PTSO, Do you attend the meetings? Or are you a person/parent who only pays attention to the things that are of interest to you? There are other ways that you are able to volunteer your time through the school that is not part of the PTSO and I have been at the school since the first day the school opened and i have never seen any parent be forced or threatened to give those 10 hours. The volunteer hours is actually in place to have parents be more involved in school activities, with the school, with your children and with your children's teachers. OCPA is a small school and it is still working out the kinks, but I would much rather be at a school where they are not teaching the test, are given daily recess and teachers who care and a Principal who does want this school to be successful. read more

My third grader has been attending OCPA for two years and my Kindergartner just started this year. We have been very happy with our decision to transfer to this school and our decision to stay. There are always issues with starting a new school, new employees, and new kids, and parents! And we have definitely been through big changes, but like many transitions, they have been for the better. One of the biggest reasons we decided to change schools was the fact that this school would not be putting any stress on the kids related the State Mandated testing. My son, who is now in third, has completed all of the required testing for this year without any concern. He was encouraged to do his best and the result, whether positive or negative, were not stressed on him by his teachers. Another great feature is the daily outside time that allows these kids to get up and MOVE! I love the small school feel and how the parents really get to know each other. I love that my kids will be together far longer than if they were in a traditional K-5 elementary school. They also have much more technology available to them than they would at our neighborhood school, with a STEM lab and laptops available for the classrooms. No school is perfect and it is what you make of it!! If you want a small school feel and to be apart of a community, please consider stopping by:) read more

I love OCPA-it has awesome parents,students,teachers, and administrators.This STEM school promotes excellence in education. We are a family friendly school with an active PTSO. Come check us out! read more

Awesome school, my daughter is in the 1st grade and she loves it! She moved over from the Renaissance charter school not to far from this one and that school was under performing. It was a blessing to have the opportunity to have my daughter attend this school the teachers are very involved and so far everything is going great! read more

Awful school. Third grade reading teacher is horrendous. Her entire class is failing, yet the "teacher" and principal blames the students. School had had three principals in a year and a half. Stay far far away from this school. read more

I am so happy to have the opportunity each day to teach at OCPA. I am a highly effective second grade teacher with a huge emphasis on STEM activities to make learning fun and help to create life-long learners. Some of reasons you should check out OCPA are the professional and caring teachers, supportive administration, and involved PTSO. AnitaS read more

This school has really turned things around for my kids!! I've read some of the bad reviews and I feel like they're for a completely different school. Both my kids went here for the 2017-2018 school year and have improved immensely! The standards are set higher than in Public schools and the staff does an amazing job at making sure the kids have the tools they need to fully succeed. Everyone from the office personnel to the Management company is friendly, supportive and has the best interest of the children in mind. My kids are excited about the new school year coming up and can't wait to go back, how often can you say that? read more

Both of my children have attended OCPA since it opened. I would like to start my review based off of a previous review - The school started off rocky when the principle decided not to move to Florida after all. The 2nd principle stepped down to take care of an ill parent. Our 3rd principle has hit the ground running. Previous reviews list the fact that we are on our 3rd principle as a bad thing. Circumstances happen. We aren't on our 3rd principle because it's a bad school. In fact it's the opposite. I have 2 kids and have been more than pleased with the teachers they have had these 2 years. I like the fact that all of the teachers seem to know ALL of the students. One of the things I love about our school is how it feels like a close knit family. I and my kids have made wonderful friends and have enjoyed ALL aspects of school - from learning to all of the extra school events planned. I joined the PTSO and because a board member shortly there after. We are still a little wet behind the ears, there are a few kinks that are being ironed out but overall I am thrilled with the school and what it has to offer. Average class size for my kids is about 15 per classroom. Some teachers have more than that, some actually have less. We have some wonderful parents who are eager and helpful to make our school be the best it can be. read more

this school will be great due to the hard work by the admin this year!!! i personally know they are striving to be the best! they work all hours of the night and day to make this school fabulous!!! read more