Applying to an Academy

Dear Oakland Tech Parent/Guardian:

We would like to extend an invitation to you to learn about and join our 9th grade academy selection process alongside your child.

One of the strengths of Oakland Tech is our academy system. In academies, students in grades 10-12 are given the ability to specialize in a particular field of interest. The application process for our academies begins in the second semester. All 9th grade students will be visited by a team of students in their English classes to learn about the process and then attend our Academy Fair (also through their English class). At the fair, the different academies will have tables where they will feature their program highlights and field questions from students and families.

Here is the timeline we are looking to follow:

Thurs/Fri, February 11/12 – Academy Presentations in classrooms
Thursday, February 18 – Academy Fair, 9am-3pm (parents/guardians welcome!)
Tuesday, February 23 – Academy Interviews (student brings completed interest form)
Tuesday, March 9 – Academy recommendations released to counselors
Thursday, March 18 – Course Information Night, 5:30-7:30pm (for parents/guardians)
Wednesday, March 24 – Parent permission forms due (if selected for academy)
Tuesday, March 30-April 2 – Course Selection for 2010-2011 School Year

After the fair, we would like to encourage you and your child to look carefully at the different academies and programs and choose according to what best fits your child’s interest.

Some good questions to ask your child would be:

• Does this academy offer classes that you are interested in taking?
• What are the academy’s electives like? Would you prefer something else?
• How will this academy prepare me for college or a career in this field?
• Do you meet the prerequisites or requirements to join?
• Is this a realistic choice? (For example, if your student doesn’t like technology, maybe the Computer Academy wouldn’t be a good choice! Even if your child’s peers are enrolling in it)

We would also like to stress that students don’t have to apply for an academy. Many find that academies aren’t a good fit and would rather choose/design an academic course load that better suits their educational needs.

If you would like more information or have any questions about the individual academies, please come visit our fair on February 18th in the Dance Room, our “Success at Tech: Course Information Night” on March 18th in the Library, or contact the academy directors directly using the information included in this packet.

Thanks for partnering with us,

Sheilagh Andujar
Principal

Tobi Page
Assistant Principal, 9th Grade

Stacey Ho
Counselor, 9th Grade

Academies and Academic Programs at Oakland Tech

Here are this letter and and graphic organizer table in PDF form:

Academy Letter

Academy Graphic Organizer

Health Academy
Mission Statement	Key Skills You Will Learn or Features of the Academy	Classes You Will Take	Prerequisites or Requirements to Join	Academy Director and Contact Information
The Health Academy prepares our students for college and the future. The strong science curriculum and active community partnerships support the advanced academic, technical, or practical training required for a career in the health field.	Students in grades 10 to 12 combine academic classes with extra science labs, health projects, and clinical/hospital experiences. The Health Academy offers career speakers, field trips, First Aid and CPR certification, paid summer internships, and health service projects.	–Biology & Academy Lab class –Physiology & Academy Lab class –Chemistry –Academy (or honors) Social Studies/English – Honors Biology (optional) –Internships after 11th grade –Senior Project	–Application & Interview – Interest in health care	Mr. David de Leeuw Room#: 217 (510) 879-3050 x217 mr.de@ earthlink.netMs. Maureen Nixon-Holtan Room#: 218 (510) 879-3050 x218 monixon@pacbell.net
BioTech Academy
Mission Statement	Key Skills You Will Learn or Features of the Academy	Classes You Will Take	Prerequisites or Requirements to Join	Academy Director and Contact Information
To help youth successfully navigate the worlds of work, school, and life while specifically training them for technical positions in bioscience, a growth industry that offers well-paid jobs and opportunities for career advancement and continued education.	–Innovative teaching and hands-on science instruction taught by enthusiastic high school and community college educators –Within 60 days of graduation from high school, students are employed in a bioscience industry –After high school graduation, students can participate in the Co-Op Experience for Community College Students and earn a Certificate in Bioscience	–Chemistry –Biology –4 Bioscience courses –1300 hours of on-the-job training –Available for 8-week paid summer internship in 2010	–Application –Must currently be a sophomore –2.0 GPA or goal of raising it during their junior year –Have taken or willing to take Chemistry in Grade 11 –Preference given to first-generation college students	Deborah Bellush Biotech Partners (510) 705-5237 debbi.bellush.b@bayer.com www.BiotechPartners.orgMs. Erin Beitel Room#: P-7 (510) 879-3050 x443 Ms.Beitel@gmail.com Ms. Mariel Janowsky Room#: S-11 (510) 879-3050 x450 mjanowsk@gmail.com
Engineering Academy
Mission Statement	Key Skills You Will Learn or Features of the Academy	Classes You Will Take	Prerequisites or Requirements to Join	Academy Director and Contact Information
To successfully teach students physics mechanics through a unique combination of academic and vocational courses. This academy, with its innovative and rigorous project-based curriculum, will prepare students for careers in civil and mechanical engineering.	–Traditional and Computer-Aided Drafting –Design a house and build a model for the Oakland Rotary Club Annual Design Contest –Use advanced CAD software to construct 3-D models –College level statics and dynamics	Grade 10: –Engineering Principles –Advanced Algebra Trigonometry Grade 11: –Descriptive Geometry –Math Analysis –Honors Physics Grade 11 or 12: –Advanced Architectural Drafting –Graphic Design –Advanced CAD -3D Modeling –AP Physics	–Application –Interview which includes an essay, math assessment, and overview of students’ grades; assessment administered after-school–Pass Geometry with a “C” or better by the end of 9th grade year	Mr. Parker Merrill Room#: S3 (510) 879-3050 x305 PMerrill123@yahoo.com
Green Academy
Mission Statement	Key Skills You Will Learn or Features of the Academy	Classes You Will Take	Prerequisites or Requirements to Join	Academy Director and Contact Information
The Green Academy prepares students for participation in the energy sector of the new green economy, with academic and practical training in the sciences. Through partnerships with researchers and practitioners of sustainable energy, students will participate in applying the concepts of green energy and be prepared for both further academic training and employment.	Students in grades 10-12 combine science classes with innovative teaching and hands-on labs. Many classes will be focused on project-based curriculum, with field trips, career speakers an integral part of the career education. There will be mentorships and summer internship opportunities, as well as the chance to make Tech and Oakland greener.	–Academy English and Social Studies classesGrade 10: –Biology –Green Biology lab class Grade 11: –Chemistry –Green Chemistry lab class Grade 12: –Physics –Green Physics lab class –Senior Project	–Application and Interview–Interest in sustainable energy	Dr. Deirdre Snyder Room #: P-4 (510) 879-3050 x208 desnyderus@yahoo.com
Computer Academy
Mission Statement	Key Skills You Will Learn or Features of the Academy	Classes You Will Take	Prerequisites or Requirements to Join	Academy Director and Contact Information
The Computer Science and Technology Academy is for students who enjoy using computers and want to learn more about them.	–Computer organization and architecture, multimedia, word processing, spreadsheet and database applications –Repair computers –Computer programming, graphics and editing, Internet/WebPages design and HTML, designing & maintaining networks	–Computer Technology I –Computer Technology II –Computer Programming or Advanced Application –Academy English/Math/Social Science	–Application & Interview–Enrolling in Computer Technology I in Grade 10	Mr. Emmanuel Onyeador Room#: 102 (510) 879-3050 x102
Paideia Program
Mission Statement	Key Skills You Will Learn or Features of the Academy	Classes You Will Take	Prerequisites or Requirements to Join	Academy Director and Contact Information
To educate the whole child by teaching thinking and communication skills. To learn content without the ability to synthesize, analyze, create, and relate one’s findings to others through sophisticated verbal and written communication is to perform only part of one’s function as a scholar.	Our program offers year-long integrated courses in grades 10 through 12 emphasizing the social sciences. Students will study history, political theory, economics, and literature. In Paideia, students are also being prepared to read and write for college matriculation purposes.	Grade 10: Two-hour block of English 2 and World CulturesGrade 11: Two-hour block of English 3 and US History (Honors or AP)Grade 12: Three-hour block of AP English 4, American Government/Economics AP, and Comparative Government HP	Requirements for Gr10 Paideia: –Achieve at least a “B” in California Studies or English 1 –Recommendation from staff members honored –Commitment to substantial level of homework & extensive summer assignmentRequirements for Gr11 Paideia: –Achieve at least a “B” in World Cultures and World Literature –Recommendation from staff members honored –Commitment to substantial level of homework & extensive summer assignmentRequirements for Gr12 Paideia: –Achieve at least a “B” in U.S. History & American Literature –Recommendation from staff members honored –Commitment to substantial level of homework & extensive summer assignment	Ms. Maryann Wolfe Room#: 103 (510) 879-3050 x103 Maryann.Wolfe@ousd.k12.ca.usMs. Marietta Joe Room#: A4 (510) 879-3050 x311 ———-
Performing Arts Program
Mission Statement	Key Skills You Will Learn or Features of the Academy	Classes You Will Take	Prerequisites or Requirements to Join	Academy Director and Contact Information
The Performing Arts program at Oakland Tech offers A-G Arts Instruction in Music, Dance, and Theatre Arts. Students may also take Dance as their P.E. credit. With focus on process, rehearsal and performance, the Performing Arts program offers training in a broad spectrum of historical and contemporary performance work. Students study their specific creative discipline in depth, while given the opportunity for performance in school assemblies and evening performances. Field trips, guest artists, and after-school program enhancements are an integral part of our thriving and acclaimed program.	–Dance including Modern, West African, Ballet, Hip-hop, and Jazz; classes often include live musicians/drummers–Theatre Arts including spoken word, acting, playwriting, directing, and design –Music including jazz band, piano, guitar, digital recording, and orchestra –Guest artists in acrobatics, stagecraft, hip-hop dance and more –Field Trips to Alvin Ailey, ACT, Berkeley Rep, Casaderos, and other professional venues –At least 2 mainstage productions and 4 assemblies from each discipline per year	–Dance: Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced–Drama: 9th Grade, Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced –Jazz Band –Orchestra –Piano –Guitar –Digital Music Recording –Opera Piccola Internships in the Arts and Drama –Creative Writing/Spoken Word –Technical Theatre	–Sign up with Counselor for Beginning/First Year Courses–Intermediate and Advanced Coursework is available to second-year Performing Arts students through Audition with the instructor –Performances require commitment to rehearsal and performance schedules, including some after-school commitment	Ms. Jessa Berkner Co-Chair Perf. Arts Room #: Auditorium jessabrie@gmail.com (510) 879-3050 x143Ms. Sonja Travick Co-Chair Perf. Arts. Room #: Dance Rm (510) 879-3050 x319

Here are this letter and and graphic organizer table in PDF form:

Academy Letter

Academy Graphic Organizer

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