The Independent Study Program at Oxford Preparatory Academy is an alternative education program that allows students to be educated primarily at home under the guidance of a credentialed teacher. There are two levels of service - Level One involves home-based instruction and optional on-campus workshops, while Level Two has students attend core classes on campus three days a week. The program aims to provide students with individualized learning opportunities while maintaining the high academic standards of the regular curriculum. Parents play an active role in assisting and supervising their child's education, meeting with teachers regularly to coordinate lessons and evaluate progress. The program seeks to create a collaborative learning environment between students, parents and teachers.

1. Independent Study Program At Oxford Preparatory Academy

4. Assist the credentialed teacher in providing instruction.

5. Be in both a school and home environment.

8. A bridge between the school and the community.

11. To recommend and model proven instructional strategies.

12. To evaluate student progress. The result is that parents, students and consulting teachers form a team to optimize student learning.

13. Between the years of 1999 and 2003, The National Center for Education Statistics, graphed the estimated number of homeschooled students and grade equivalent for the ages 5 through 17. It shows that 95 percent of homeschooled students are at or above grade level.

14. The bar graph from the National Center for Education Statistics, shows the percentage of homeschooled students, ages 5 through 17 with a grade equivalent of kindergarten through 12th grade, whose parents reported various reasons for homeschooling in 2003. 1 These include safety, drugs, or negative peer pressure.2 Parents home school their children for many reasons that are often unique to their family situation."Other reasons" parents gave for homeschooling in the PFI-NHES:2003 include: It was the child's choice; to allow parents more control over what child was learning; and flexibility.

15. OPA’s Independent Study Program 2 Levels of Service

17. Students and parents are invited to attend various grade level instructional workshops throughout the week. (At least one every 20days)

19. Students are able to participate in extra-curricular activities on campus.

21. Students are required to complete class work given on the particular days they are in school.

24. The ability to work independently to complete assignments that meet grade level standards and course objectives.

25. The ability to establish regular attendance patterns for meetings with the teacher twice a month.

27. Complete and submit a school enrollment packet.

28. Attend an Independent Study Information Meeting or meet with the IS Coordinator.

30. Placement 3. Upon acceptance into the Independent Study Program, the parent is contacted by the Independent Study Coordinator to schedule an orientation date to meet their teacher. 4. At this meeting, parents will receive an Independent Study Master Agreement, and State Standards for your child’s grade level.

31. Special Education Students: To engage in Independent Study a student with special needs that has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) may do so only to the extent his or her IEP specifies Independent Study as the instructional method.

32. Courses of Study All subjects specified in the California Standards Test Blueprints are offered to participants in this program. Coursework is entirely aligned to state standards of educational excellence. Assignments are equal in quality and scope to curriculum provided for students enrolled in traditional classroom settings in OPA.

33. In addition, students may participate in instructional classes at OPA which may include:

34. Science Experiments

35. Mind Institute

36. Music & Band

37. Physical Education

38. Foreign Language

39. Computer Lab

40. Multiple Intelligences Enrichment

41. Library Services …or other specific educational opportunities.

42. Sample Schedule Oxford Preparatory Academy Charter School Grade K-8 Independent Study Program – Instructional Workshops

43. Sample Schedule Oxford Preparatory Academy Charter School Grade K-8 Independent Study Program – Instructional Workshops

44. Sample Instructional Workshop Classes California State Standards: Language Arts Reading Comprehension (Expository Text), Writing Strategies, Literature, Phonics, Spelling, Word Analysis, Vocabulary, Written Conventions

45. Mathematics Number Sense, Problem Solving, Basic Facts, Fractions, Geometry, Measurement, Algebra and Functions, Graphing, Quadratics and Polynomials, Logic

46. Science Physical, Earth, Life, Scientific Method, Periodic Table and Structure of Matter

47. Social Studies Heroes & Holidays, Geography, US History, Ancient Civilizations, Middle Ages

48. Also, extra- curricular activities will be offered, such as:

49. Field Trips

50. ASB

51. Cheerleading

52. School Newspaper

53. School Yearbook

54. Sports …and much, much more!

55. As a supplementary support, parents will be required to participate in educational workshops and in-service training opportunities, which will include:

56. Homework Assistance

57. Effective Lesson Planning

58. Multiple Intelligences

59. G.A.T.E.

61. Further information to support high academic achievement

62. Necessary Forms

64. Trimester grades are entered into the school’s record.

65. Report cards will be issued at the same intervals as a traditional school.

67. Written tests and reports

68. Oral presentations

69. Standardized tests

73. A monthly attendance log must be maintained daily and submitted by the parent at the end of the month.

75. The parent provides transportation to OPA for workshops, classes, etc.

76. The parent keeps daily attendance logs.

78. Both parents and teachers will correct all assignments.

80. A student/parent fails to satisfactorily complete the conditions set forth in the IS Agreement which include:

81. Failure to meet consistently with the teacher in independent study.

83. Independent Study FAQ’s If I voluntarily sign my child up for the IS Program, do I forfeit my rank on the placement or waiting list? The IS Program is a part of Oxford Preparatory Academy Charter School. Therefore, your child will be a student enrolled in OPA while maintaining their rank order on the placement or waiting list. How often do you meet with the assigned teacher? The parent and student attend one group and/or one individual meeting a month with their assigned IS teacher. Parents and students may also call or email their IS teacher whenever needed, as well as schedule additional time to meet.

84. Independent Study FAQ’s For the following year, will my student be automatically given a position in a regular classroom? If there is an available position in your child’s grade level, the IS student will have the opportunity to make a program change. Do I have to purchase a uniform for my child? Yes. If your child attends any function on OPA’s campus or represents OPA at an event, then your child will have to follow the school dress code and wear a uniform.

85. Independent Study FAQ’s Why is it important for the IS Coordinator to review my application? The IS Coordinator will recommend the best appropriate placement for your child. It has to be a “fit” for all participants. What other supplies do I need to support my child? A supply list will also be given for your child’s grade level at parent orientation. Will my child be eligible for a program change during the school year? Independent Study students are already enrolled students of Oxford Preparatory Academy. As such, parents can request a program change if an opening is available in either the IS Program or the On-campus Program.

87. If your child is currently enrolled in OPA and is on the placement or waiting lists, please complete an Independent Study Application for the 2011-2012 school year.

89. Together, our Independent Study Students will be… Champions of Education!

90. Independent Study Program At Oxford Preparatory Academy