Old Town Academy K-8 Charter in San Diego

Category	Rating	Details
Test Scores	8/10	The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) data from California Department of Education, and using 2025 California Science Test data from California Department of Education.
Student Growth	10/10	The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2025 Student growth data from California Department of Education.

Posted: September 2, 2026

Absolutely amazing school if you are looking to relive your high school days with mean girls and cliques. It was previously becoming a good school until it was taken over by a select few parents that are able to be present everyday all day. If you are a non working parent or do not have an opinion of your own I would highly recommend this school. If you appreciate all of your complaints being minimized and interrogated instead of addressed this may be the school for you. If you would like the money you donate to be used however above stated select women please with zero regard to the bylaws and policies, this is definitely the school for you. I would look elsewhere if you would like an inclusive, kind, and welcoming school. Noticeable positive reviews only around the same time in October as if people were prompted to write them vs real experiences.

Posted: September 2, 2026

Posted: August 29, 2026

Our experience at Old Town Academy was deeply disappointing; enrolling our children there is a decision we regret.

We chose OTA because it advertised strong academics, small classes, extracurricular activities, field trips, and meaningful student support. Our experience was very different.

My son entered OTA earning As and Bs. Within a short time, his grades dropped to Ds and Fs. Instead of prompting meaningful intervention, the responsibility often seemed to fall entirely on him. Despite what felt like efforts to prevent him from graduating, he did graduate. After leaving OTA, his grades improved to Bs and Cs. That reinforced what we already knew; the problem was not his ability to succeed, but the environment in which he was trying to succeed.

Our experience with the middle-school teachers was troubling. Sarcasm, dismissiveness, demeaning comments, and adversarial interactions were not isolated incidents. When students advocated for themselves or asked to be treated respectfully, their responses could be reframed as behavior problems.

Administrative follow-through was another major problem. We repeatedly contacted the Executive Director/Principal by email, phone, and in meetings. We were often told he would investigate and follow up, yet meaningful responses often never came. When concerns involved teachers, we often felt their version was accepted without fully hearing from the student, witnesses, or parents.

OTA describes itself as a full inclusion charter school, yet students who struggled could instead be treated as the problem. Families transferring into OTA should ask about transition support. In our experience, there was no clear process for identifying academic gaps or helping students adjust.

OTAs website advertises an extensive after school enrichment program including ballet, violin, piano, karate, soccer, tennis, yoga, volleyball, STEM, chess, robotics, and more. Aside from limited music and robotics club, we saw nothing close to that range.

The bright spot was the parent community, which provided support we expected from the school.

If you are considering OTA, especially for middle school, ask questions about academic intervention, transition support, special education, teacher accountability, extracurriculars, administrative communication, and how concerns are handled.

For our family, OTA was not what it advertised itself to be. We are now helping our children recover academically, socially, and emotionally.

Posted: August 29, 2026

Posted: May 14, 2026

I personally would not recommend this school. Concerns raised with administration often felt dismissed or not fully addressed, and the parent community can come across as somewhat cliquish and unwelcoming. Families seeking open communication and a more inclusive, supportive environment may want to explore other options.

Posted: May 14, 2026

Posted: May 5, 2026

My son went to school and when we first came there it was ok but we had some transportation issues and I ask the principal is there any way they can help us he wanted us to go to another school but I inform him my child likes it there but now we have a vehicle thank God. But the principal needs to do better.

Posted: May 5, 2026

Posted: October 28, 2025

It is very apparent that the teachers at OTA love their job and work extremely well together, which is rare these days. Happy teachers = thriving students. The staff work extremely hard to make sure all students are engaged and making progress. The instruction is differentiated so that all students are learning, and those at the top of the class are challenged and never bored. My child loves going to school. Due to the small size, all staff know every student. OTA has a private school feel. The project based learning allows students to work at their level and interest, while still working together. The Core Knowledge curriculum is well rounded and fosters critical thinking, creativity and deep understanding. The students have music, robotics and PE multiple times per week. No doubt students leave OTA prepared for high school & beyond.

Posted: October 28, 2025

Posted: October 24, 2025

Old Town Academy is a really great school! The community is great, kids are nice, and the teachers are caring and really tuned in to each students needs and academic level. My son loves it. This is his first year there and its been really nice to see him excited to go to school. The previous two years at a highly rated public school never felt like a good fit and he would always get anxious and want to stay home so Im super relieved to have found OTA.

Posted: October 24, 2025

Both my children attended Old Town Academy from K-8. My youngest child is currently in 8th grade. Our experience has been wonderful. I am so grateful that each were able to attend all 9 years. My older child had an IEP at OTA and the wraparound support was fantastic. The middle school (6-8) teachers are AMAZING. They both have developed advanced critical thinking, writing, presentation and STEM skills. OTA prepares students to succeed in high school.

Posted: October 24, 2025

I wish i had attended a school like this when i was young, both of my daugthers attend old town academy, my youngest at kinder and my oldest at 2nd grade, my experience as been amazing, the teachers, staff and everyone involved in the school is very welcoming and care a lot about the students, this is a small scale school at its best.

For me it's important to have quick access to my daugthers grades, attendance and development reports and we have it here, I get emails every week from the PowerSchool system with information I have set as preferred, I can also chat with my daugthers teachers on ClassDojo were we also have a board with daily updates and upcoming events, I like to be as involved as I can and I can do it here with no problem.

Posted: October 24, 2025

This is our 2nd year at OTA and we are so happy with the choice we made. The teachers are wonderful, the principal is great and we love everything about this school!

Posted: October 24, 2025

Posted: October 23, 2025

As a parent of a student, I intended to begin my review with positive remarks, but the reality is quite the opposite. While the school advertises small class sizes, this is largely due to low enrollment numbers, rather than a successful model.

The school's approach to fundraising is concerning. For instance, my child was given a paper cup to solicit donations. This led to awkward encounters where students approached strangers for spare change, an experience that seemed more uncomfortable than effective. Unfortunately, these efforts resulted in minimal financial supportessentially nothing to show for their attempts. Events like the annual gala and jog-a-thon have similarly not generated significant funds, failing to address the schools financial needs adequately.

Additionally, despite the promise of a new school building funded by a multimillion-dollar grant, the reality is that the current facilities are aging and poorly maintained. The school's environment has faced numerous issues, including overflowing garbage cans, water-damaged ceilings, and frequently out-of-order bathrooms. Recently, the school managed to hire a maintenance worker who has shown promise, but given the financial constraints, there is concern about the stability of this arrangement. The maintenance issues and overall state of the facilities are pressing problems that must be resolved.

In conclusion, OTA faces significant challenges that prospective families should consider carefully. The schools financial struggles and the condition of its facilities raise important questions regarding its ability to provide a conducive learning environment. Proceed with caution if you are considering enrollment.

Posted: October 23, 2025

Posted: October 20, 2025

As the aunt of a former OTA student, I've observed my nephew's educational experience closely. Unfortunately, I was compelled to express my disappointment regarding the young, inexperienced teachers at the school. These educators often appeared ill-equipped to effectively support and teach children from diverse backgrounds and varying learning styles, which is critical to fostering an inclusive learning environment.

Additionally, the school is grappling with significant enrollment challenges. In an effort to combat these issues, I witnessed troubling strategies being implemented, such as asking students to distribute promotional flyers outside local grocery stores. This approach not only jeopardizes the financial stability of the institution but also casts a shadow over its long-term viability. The prospect of enrolling your child at OTA becomes a gamble; if the school continues to struggle, it could close unexpectedly. Such a scenario would leave families scrambling to find alternative educational options in the middle of the academic year, which is undoubtedly disruptive and stressful.

If you are contemplating enrolling your child at OTA, I urge you to conduct thorough research and pose incisive questions to the administration regarding their educational methodologies and enrollment strategies. It's crucial to gather comprehensive information to ensure that you are making a well-informed decision regarding your child's education and well-being.

Posted: October 20, 2025

Posted: October 19, 2025

I have 2 kids that have attended OTA since kindergarten. My girl is now in 1st and my boy in 3rd. All the teachers have been phenomenal for both my kids. My boy struggled with reading at one point and he was provided with some extra attention, resources for home and now has completely caught up. The teachers really care and are engaging. Both of my kids love to go to school, love learning and are thriving. They have a great afterschool program as well, club Osprey, run by Isaac and his team. I went to private school as a kid and it really has that kind of feel, small, safe and families are highly welcomed to take part in their childs education. Im so thankful for OTA!

Posted: October 19, 2025

Posted: October 18, 2025

The school isnt without its challenges like any K8 environment, there are internal differences and varying opinions that come with a large and engaged community. What truly stands out, though, is the schools commitment to education and student well-being. Each grade has a small, single classroom that allows teachers to give individual attention and focus on every child. Teacher aides provide additional support to ensure no child is left behind, both academically and emotionally.

Academically, the school does an excellent job preparing students for high school, with a strong emphasis on math, STEM, reading, and project-based learning. The hands-on, collaborative approach to education helps students connect what they learn to real-world experiences and builds confidence and critical thinking skills.

The school, as an academy, encourages families to contribute 40 hours of volunteer service each year and to participate in ongoing fundraising efforts through the parent foundation. Its a supportive environment where students are inspired to learn, grow, and feel valued.

Posted: October 18, 2025

Old Town Academy is a certified Core Knowledge school. In Old Town Academy all students are exposed to a coherent core of challenging, interesting knowledge. This knowledge provides a foundation for later learning, but also makes up the common ground for communication in a diverse society. Respect for diversity in our society if fostered by the knowledge specified in the Core Knowledge curriculum. Significant knowledge of diverse peoples and culture is provided at all grade levels.
At Old town Academy you can be assured that your child is receiving a content rich, excellent and fair basic education which will enable your child to excel in higher education.
You will not regret becoming a member of the Old Town Academy family.

Posted: October 18, 2025

Posted: October 17, 2025

Old Town Academy is a wonderful school with caring and dedicated teachers and staff. The administration is very supportive of parent concerns and are very approachable. The education and instruction are excellent and my child is thriving at OTA. Highly recommennded.

Posted: October 17, 2025

My child has attended Old Town Academy for several years now, and I couldnt be happier with how much theyve grown. The academic program is strong and structured, and the teachers truly care about their students. Ive seen so much progress in my childs independence and confidence over the years. They genuinely love going to school every day. We even considered moving to a school closer to home, but they insisted on staying at OTA because of how much they enjoy it. Its been such a great experience watching them thrive in an environment that challenges them while still feeling supportive and encouraging.

Posted: October 17, 2025

Posted: September 30, 2025

I would not recommend this school at all! We just decided to take our children out of there and enroll them in another school. I am so glad we did!!! Both kids are academically behind where they should be for their grade level, and when I say behind, I do mean a couple of grade levels behind. We found out when they started at the new school. Their current teachers requested to meet with us. They wanted to discuss a plan for how to assist our kids in getting them back up to grade level. I was disappointed and angry because I trusted they were getting what they needed at OTA. One thing to keep in mind about this school is that many of their teachers are first time teachers right out of school. They do not have the experience or the support from a strong principal to be successful. As for the principal, he does lie, will brush things off and does not respond to parents. We went to him with other issues and he always gave the same response. Usually it was that he did not know anything about the issue and he needed time to find out what was going on. He always promised to keep us informed once he figured out what was happening. Then days, weeks, even months would go by and nothing happened. I was told that OTA is a great school. That is why we moved our children to OTA. However, it was the WORST decision we made bringing our kids there. Now, with the help of the new school, we will be supporting them to repair all the damage that OTA did to their education.

Posted: September 30, 2025

Posted: September 12, 2025

My son has been attending Old Town Academy (OTA) since last year (3rd grade), and now hes in 4th grade and I can honestly say this San Diego charter school has been life-changing for our family.

This school is truly amazing. It has the most caring principal, assistant principal, Lead Education Specialist, teachers, and teacher aides and that level of care makes all the difference. You can feel it in every interaction.

Before OTA, my son attended a highly rated five-star public school (Silver Gate), but he often felt left out and different. At OTA, its a completely different experience. The staff genuinely cares about every student not just academically, but emotionally and socially as well.

One thing I really appreciate is that OTA is a small charter school, so they are humble, grounded, and truly student-focused. Another advantage is that there is only one class per grade, from Kindergarten through 8th grade. That means my son has already made friends who will stay with him all the way through middle school no need to switch schools or get shuffled into a new classroom after elementary school. That kind of consistency is so valuable, especially for developing friendships and confidence.

My son is now thriving. He loves going to school, hes made incredible progress, and weve seen a huge positive change in his confidence and happiness. Its like night and day compared to our previous experience.

If youre looking for a San Diego charter school that genuinely puts students first, I highly recommend Old Town Academy.

Posted: September 12, 2025

Posted: August 29, 2025

Stay away from Old Town Academy. This school is toxic. My child was harassed by teachers for years, and the administration, specifically the Principal did nothing. Despite countless emails, calls, and meetings, there was zero action. They flat-out refused to protect him.

The Principal lies. The website claims after-school programs exist, they dont. Teachers are disengaged, students are unmotivated, and parents are completely shut out. Classrooms stay locked, volunteers are turned away, and even assigned assistants are refused entry.

Social-emotional support, once OTAs cornerstone, has been dismantled. Kids are left to fend for themselves. Special education services are virtually nonexistent, IEP meetings are canceled, legal requirements ignored, and families are stonewalled. Its negligence, plain and simple.

This school once had promise, but thats long gone. Today its a sinking ship run into the ground by the Principals deception, apathy, and incompetence. If you value your childs safety or education, Especially when you have a terrible Principal like this.

Posted: August 29, 2025

Posted: June 18, 2025

As a former teacher at OTA I cannot recommend it enough. The special education department is outstanding. Ms. Robin knows her stuff and shows so much love and support to the students who often need it the most. The administration is responsive to the needs of students and parents. They form positive relationships and are well-respected. The teachers are young and full of energy. They relate to the students and bill bonds like no other teachers I've ever seen. They are excellent at their craft. The academics are rigorous and the school is grounded in a respect for our country. They often have veterans speak briefly and lead the students in the pledge during the "Friday flag". At first I was a little taken back by the uniforms but with non uniform days like spirit days, variations on the different pieces the students can wear, and the ability to wear outerwear that has college logos the kids have much more variety than it looks like.

They have standards such as you shouldn't interrupt the teacher while they are talking or you should be kind to other students. If a parent is complaining it is most likely because their child was called on one of those two things. The teachers and adminstration ensure that students have the best enviroment to learn in.

Posted: June 18, 2025

Posted: June 13, 2025

As a parent of a child with an IEP, I would not recommend this school. The IEP program is super weak. The special ed support that my child receives does not assist my child to better understand their work, but instead, my child is just given the answers. This makes it easier for the special ed staff, but has left my child at a great disadvantage. Kids with IEPs are scoring much lower than before on their state testing.

Posted: June 13, 2025

Posted: May 8, 2025

My child was bullied multiple times, spoke to the principal and the teacher and the bullying never stopped, it actually got worse. My child was in elementary grade and we changed school in the middle of school year.

Posted: May 8, 2025

Posted: May 7, 2025

We love Old Town Academy! We see teachers that are trying their hardest every day. Our kid is thriving. The small school environment means everyone gets a chance to be heard and teachers grow to understand the needs of each student. Visit the school and see for yourselves!

Posted: May 7, 2025

Posted: May 1, 2025

I can speak to the rapid decline this school has had since the current the Executive Director (Principal) took over 3yrs. ago. not only financially but entirely from the standpoint of what this Charter School was founded on, has been utterly lost under his control. A perfect word to describe what has contributed to the decline, is the increased control and unwarranted excessive discipline to students. Parents are consistently left in the dark extensively with poor administrative "leadership" from the Executive Director (Principal) who makes little to no effort unless forced by the School Board to respond to parents that raise issues. It is apparent this is not a a "right person, right seat" in this leadership role, he shows clear signs of having little to no effective background in being well suited as a Principal as he engages in hearsay, gossip, and sides with teachers without fully addressing issues raised by students affected, other students in witness of issues and parents verbal/emailed concerns. Should you chose to try to partner with teacher or the "Principal", be prepared to be labeled as an "interference" when you ask questions. Be prepared for students to be given "checks" that amount to a detention, in/out-of school suspension for matters like being at the pencil sharpener too long, getting a drink of water when excused to use the restroom, getting a pencil from your backpack, saying "hello" to a friend or using the designated extra computers in school to complete your work. There is a huge sense of entitlement, ego biases and demeaning remarks/behavior towards students by the middle school teachers enforced by the "Principal" . Middle school teachers are sarcastic and rude but are offended EASILY when students try to stick up for themselves by asking the teacher to be respectful. That will get you an immediate reworded email of and perception to the Principal who always side with teachers. The middle school teachers behave in a manner that puts good teachers to shame and the interact alike "high school mean girls" attitudes toward students. For all that your student(s) will learn from an educational standpoint, they will lose from a mental and social perspective when treated with prejudice and bullying types of behavior not from their peers but from the very teachers parents are relying/trusting to positively educate the most important aspect of their life, their children. Don't subject your child to this atmosphere. Run, don't walk.

Posted: May 1, 2025

Posted: April 22, 2025

Hands down best school we've attended. One class per grade means I know more about my children's friends, the students, and teachers than I would in a larger setting. It also means more attention given to each child. Location is central and accessible.

Posted: April 22, 2025

Posted: March 18, 2025

My child has attended OTA for several years and has had supportive and caring teachers, administration and staff. The last few years has been difficult with Covid, lower attendance (across the region) and unwarranted negative and targeted attacks from a subset focused on trolling, but the school continues to thrive and excel. They have a strong IEP program as well as excellent advanced opportunities. Their middle school math curriculum exceeds most schools. What we love about OTA is its community. With one class per grade, you get to know everyone. Your school is what you make of it and we're so happy to be a part of OTA.

Posted: March 18, 2025

Posted: January 21, 2024

This school does have a lot of new teachers and administration. However, so far all the teachers and administration have been very supportive of the kids. School scores will improve with this new administration. Would definitely recommend OTA!

Posted: January 21, 2024

Posted: June 7, 2023

As we come to the end of the year I am writing to express my sincere appreciation for the outstanding education that my child has received at OTA. Like all other schools post pandemic OTA has faced some challenges. Changes made by new leadership or new teachers has not always been liked by some parents but change is hard at a school steeped in traditions. I believe the staff, board, foundation, and parents are rising to the occasion and have worked tirelessly to ensure that our students continue to receive a high-quality education and wholesome school experiences.

One of the things that I appreciate most about our school is the focus on STEM education. Our students have the opportunity to learn about robotics, coding and engineering from a very early age. This is not something that is available at many other schools or not available until later grades or requires assessments.

In addition to the strong STEM program, our school also offers a variety of other academic and extracurricular activities. Our students have the opportunity to participate in sports, music, art, Spanishand drama. They also have the opportunity to take part in a variety of clubs and organizations.

I am also impressed by the level of parental involvement at our school. Parents are always willing to volunteer their time to help out in the classroom or with fundraising events. This level of support is essential to the success of our school.

I look to the future of OTA with positivity and pride because I see the determination of staff and parents. Go Ospreys!

Posted: June 7, 2023

Posted: May 12, 2023

I have wanted to write this review for awhile, but I wanted to decide if I would pursue legal action against OTA. I am still weighing my options. My child was seriously bullied and assaulted numerous times over 3 years, and despite my complaints, calls, meetings, and emails, nothing was done to protect him. If you are considering this school, run, don't walk, away. It is a sinking ship. Like another reviewer mentioned, this used to be a good school, but It has gone through 4 principals (my last count) in 3 years. There is no leadership, and the veteran teachers left in droves. When my child began the 2023 school year, I think there was only 1 veteran teacher from the previous years, and she is now no longer with the school. And since the beginning of this school year at least 10-12 families from our grade alone have also left. We had to get out of OTA because my son was being continually physically assaulted, and nothing was done to stop it. The perpetrators were essentially allowed to continue unpunished, without consequence. Over the years, my child was shoved to the ground, kicked, punched, slapped, KNEED IN THE GROIN SO HARD HE WAS BRUISED, called horrible names, shamed, and had personal property destroyed. The final week at OTA , one long-time bully made a gun with her finger, pointed it at my son's head, and said "die!", and still nothing was done. She wasn't even reprimanded. Every time I brought up the issues with the principals, teachers, and staff, I was assured that it would be addressed, but it never was addressed in any meaningful way. The principal looked at me with tears in his eyes and said it was the worst case of bullying he's ever seen, and he promised me he would put an end to it. That was just lip service. And our 4th grade teacher told me at the Parent-Teacher conference that maybe we should find a new school where my kid would be happier. She didn't consider teaching her students that cruelty and bullying wouldn't be tolerated. Mind you, my son is a straight-A honor roll student, who is kind, funny, and creative. He's the kind of child you would want in your classroom and at your school. I compiled all the years of emails and complaints which TOTALED 17 PAGES!! I sent all of it to SD Unified and to the OTA governing board. Still nothing was done. This school did nothing to protect my child, and he will live with the scars for a very long time. We have since moved to a private school, and now he is so happy, safe, and thriving.

Posted: February 17, 2023

OTA was once a great school (it used to be a 5-star school). Sadly, it has changed with the addition of a new principal. The current principal does not have any interest in carrying on the OTA traditions that made the school great. On day two, parents were banned from the campus and prevented from volunteering in the classrooms. Although there are many great teachers and staff (the reason why I rated it a 2-star instead of a 1-star school), the current principals desire to eliminate parent involvement and presence on campus, makes it seem like the school has something to hide. The Music, Robotics, and STEM classes are almost nonexistent; no matter what they advertise on their website or on their TikTok. Student enthusiasm for these subjects is at an all-time low due to poor classroom management and a fragmented curriculum. OTA used to be a community. But now, parents stand on the sidewalk and are told not to speak to the teachers. Its hard to remain involved in your childs education when you are discouraged from engaging with their teacher. One positive attribute for OTA is a small class size. In fact, it keeps getting smaller by the day as dissatisfied parents enroll their children somewhere else. One teacher called OTA a sinking ship. I agree. However, all the elements of greatness are still there. Under new leadership, OTA could be great again.

Posted: February 14, 2023

We pulled our son from a traditional public school post pandemic to re-engage him once back in a classroom environment. He does not have special needs or behavior issues but after being isolated during the pandemic and experiencing subpar virtual learning we wanted to ensure he went into an environment that was as supportive and engaging as possible. OTA has delivered.

Although no school is perfect, OTA is significantly better than our (Great Schools rated 10) public neighborhood school. They are in school longer, they are more engaged, the one class per grade means that the kids know each other well and treat each other with respect (and even when they don't it is more like siblings than acquaintances). We are very pleased with the Principal and the community.

Our son is thriving and learning more than ever. Yes parents are asked to participate and engage but that's what helps build a great school. And some teacher highlights that we have experienced are Mrs. V, Mr. Watts and Ms. Miller.

Posted: February 14, 2023

Posted: February 9, 2023

Parents and guardians considering OTA (Old Town Academy)

Firstly, please note this review is from the 2022-23 school year. The school has recently undergone significant changes in staff. Secondly, these are my experiences and I can only really speak to the grades my child has gone through and is currently in.

The school was heavily into social-emotional support. They had strong academic performance while striking a balance between school and home. As policy, homework was not given in to allow kids to decompress and rest from the school day. Arts were supported but if somewhat limited. But one could participate in a variety of after-school programs.

All this worked for years but that time has passed.

Learning:
The kids seem broken. Their teacher seemingly uninterested in teaching. It's not that they refuse to do so, they just go through the motions of the day. No effort to do work in the classroom. In other years my child would come back with several pages of work per day, now I'm lucky to get back a page or two. Speaking with parents, they seem to reflect the same: the teacher is nice but lacks effort. Consequently, kids just don't care to learn anymore.

Teaching:
There is a variety of teachers. My fingers are crossed that next year my child gets a good one. That's how bad it is. I'm playing poker with their education.

Social-emotional support:
This is one of the bigger issues outside of education. The school was big on this but the principal has imposed their own values and has continuously broken all that OTA stood for. Social-emotional support has been eschewed for an "every person for themselves" attitude.

Special Education:
No significant support for IEP's (individual education plans). They don't want to or lack the ability to follow protocol. Many meetings have been rescheduled because someone is unavailable to attend. By law, we can not proceed. Additionally, if your child has mobility issues, this multi-level school has no functioning elevator. Embarrassing, but there is no way for a child or parent/guardian to get to the top floor without significant assistance.

Safety:
The school feels safe. I am happy with the security protocols.

Family Engagement:
The principal as well as the teacher for my child, have a substantial lack of communication with the parents. The teacher keeps the doors closed and refuses volunteers or assigned teacher assistants.

At one point I felt lucky my child was at OTA, I don't feel that way anymore.

Posted: February 9, 2023

Posted: January 12, 2023

Old Town Academy is doing many things right.The school was recently named one of the top elementary schools in the nation, and one of the top middle schools in California.
Students in K-8 have music classes regularly.
All students, K-8, have regular robotics instruction.
Students in grades 4-8 have daily STEM classs in a science laboratory setting.
Parents need to understand that there is no perfect school. Old Town Academy has been a great school, and will continue to grow and make changes that make the school even better. Sometimes change comes slowly, but I believe the current administration is striving for excellence in its finest form at Old Town Academy.
I would highly recommend this outstanding Core Knowledge school to any parent seeking an advanced, challenging education for their child.

Posted: June 22, 2022

OTA went downhill very fast. They turnover teachers at a very high rate. The principal which was great is resigning due to demanding parents. Parents run the school, not the educators or professionals. Parent involvement is a great thing but here its mainly for entitlement, they march on in and make demands. Teacher morale is low. The programs they promised are not there, no Spanish, STEM is only a lesson plan not hands on activities, robotics is gone, no art, no project based learning. For 5th grade puberty lesson, they sent a PDF via email and asked the parents to teach their kids. The only plus is the music program and guess what, the music teacher is leaving. This school had great potential but the entitlement issues really brought things downhill. Children were not excited to attend this school. Good luck here

Posted: June 22, 2022

Posted: October 15, 2019

Our son loves OTA. Incredible teachers, staff, principal, community of parents, classrooms, curriculum, etc.

Posted: October 15, 2019

Posted: September 20, 2018

Old Town Academy has helped change my sons outlook on school. My son found it difficult to engage in learning at his old school but ever since attending OTA, his outlook has been so different. He enjoys the project based approach to learning and enjoys the different classes like Spanish, STEM and music class. My sons teachers have also been wonderful to work with when it comes to getting him the extra support he needs in certain subjects. Parents are also highly invested in the school and put in efforts in order to keep OTA a wonderful place for our kids to learn.

Posted: September 20, 2018

Students are encouraged to complete schoolwork during class time. Work that students did not complete in class is taken home as homework.

Posted: September 20, 2018

Teachers are highly invested in the students education. In my experience, they have gone out of their way to help my son in areas where more support is necessary.

Posted: September 20, 2018

The principal is wonderful! He takes the time to get to know his students and you can tell he takes great pride in his students and school.

Posted: September 20, 2018

Posted: April 8, 2018

Every school has students who have discipline issues, but this school handles them appropriately. Besides academics, students also learn compassion and empathy using restorative circles and healthy relationships. Problems are dealt with quickly and effectively.

Posted: April 8, 2018

Mr. C is an amazing principal. Good leadership trickles down at every level. Not only is the principal a great leader, the teachers are great leaders, they are also developing the students into great leaders.

Posted: April 8, 2018

The IEP program here has improved tremendously over the past two years. Now, there is renewed focus on challenging those students who are at the top of their class and not only helping those who are struggling.

Posted: April 8, 2018

Bullying is not tolerated here. The school will not hesitate to an act theyre very strict discipline policies. This is not a place for bullies, this is a place for students are focused on achieving success.

Posted: April 8, 2018

For the earlier grades, most of the work is done in class and the only homework is nightly reading or a few math problems. Each grade also does one project per quarter per class, so students end up working on projects at home also, which seems like a good fit for the older grades.

Posted: April 8, 2018

The current principal does a great job hiring. He hires bright, intelligent, creative people who are interested in growing in their profession. The school also provides teacher development, which helps each teacher improve each year. Teachers are responsive and caring. My children couldnt be happier here.

Posted: April 8, 2018

A+. We were happy before, but the new leadership in the past few years has improved what was already a great school.

Posted: December 5, 2017

Its always hard to decide whether or not you are making the right choice for your childs education...I dont know yet. But for the first 2 years he seems to be advancing quite well. I love that there is only 1 class per grade. This keeps the school intimate. It also allow for full disclosure of who and what everyone is doing. The principal and teachers know all the kids and know all the parents. This is definitely not a pay to play school. Its a non-profit public charter school. Of course they try to have parents donate. Whether its time or money. ALL schools need both. Teacher dont get paid enough, yet they are expected to provide all school supplies. We should be so lucky to be able to send our children here, them asking for you time or money should not play a part in how you rate the school. My son know how to read, write and be a good human based on the teaching done at this school. He has learned. He will continue to learn and his tests prove that the school is doing well. Osprey Pride :)

Posted: September 22, 2017

Mr. C and his staff have transformed our family. My son transferred from a public school and never enjoyed going to school. Now that he's at OTA, he's enthusiastic about going every day! His behavior has improved, he is more responsible, and I know it is in large part due to OTA instilling these values. I can't give this school enough good praise!