Where does it say on the web site that it cherry-picks students? Just because the application asks for the information, doesn’t mean that it makes the decision based solely on that information. What if a school asked for annual household income…would it mean that if you did not make enough, your child could not attend? Wouldn’t you at least look into financial aid or scholarships based on need?

And what “inaccurate or misleading” information am I providing? I’m responding to both yours and Sharon’s posts that said that OMI denies admission to students based solely on the application that you read. I’m trying to say that most everyone that applies is given a chance at the summer camp, and then they are denied admission, that is on the web site…and I think that it is different than “cherry-picking”.

You have absolutely no information from anyone at the school…right?
You read something and interpreted it in your own way and then made an assumption.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion, and I have respect for anyone on the blog that states their opinion.
But, you are saying that you know something to be true, when I know that it is incorrect.

My definition of cherry-picking is taking high achieving, no discipline problem, high parent participation students from the top schools. So, it might be just semantics…and I am confusing “cherry-picking” with “meets the standards” of the school.

I might be in the wrong here with my choice of words or my interpretation of what you(and Sharon) are saying. I have no problem apologizing for that. But, I’m not wrong about the school and how they choose who to take in each year. Check the web site again and read the part about the mandatory summer camp.
And, I will look at the application requirements.

Tech, like Skyline, draw from a much larger geographic area than their locations would suggest. At the high school level, unlike the elementary school level, it is no big deal to get an out of high school boundary transfer. (I know less about O High.) Because of the range and number of honors and AP classes these schools are able to offer, they function as magnets for high performing academic students. The charters, by virtue of their smaller size, cannot offer this range.

Yes, there are still low-performing disengaged students at these schools. And sadly, the break is mostly — but not entirely — along socioeconomic and racial lines.

Cherry-picking is not the same as discriminating. And it’s not wrong in and of itself. But it is wrong to cherry-pick, deny doing it and then proclaim yourself superior to the schools that accept your rejects (“wrong” is not a strong enough word — it’s dishonest and evil).

Checking on the application requirements as posted on OMI’s website IS research. And when the application requirements posted on the website explicitly state that the school cherry-picks its students, you don’t have to be in Oakland to comprehend that. I’m rather surprised that as a parent at the school, you are giving such inaccurate and misleading information about it.

Nextset, I’m definitely not opposed to schools with competitive academic admissions. But it would be evil of a school to admit based on academic achievement and then falsely claim that it did not, tout itself as superior and attack other schools on that basis.

OMI (on their web site) has a non-discrimination policy for all to see.

Instead of attacking…why not do a little research…that was my point.

Why is is that OUSD kids have to go to Charter Schools in order to get a school such as this – why does OUSD not have a competitive academics school? It seems so simple to have one. SF does.

OMI should take a few special ed students – maybe that is why the American Indian schools have such high scores. Is that what you mean by cherry-picking?

If OMI doesn’t have the resources to provide special ed services, they’ll be shut down. I’m sure that would be great for Jerry Brown’s shot at the governor’s mansion.

This is either a huge story or Yastrzemski is one of those people who knows nothing about a school but makes broad generalizations anyway – which is the sort of thing that always surprises me.

We have very different definitions of “cherry-picked”, since OMI has very low-income, underachieving minorities from schools with very low API scores and single parent, foster parents and grandparent homes. I doubt that they are at the top of anyone’s list of desirable students…they just have parents willing to do a little extra for their kids…like the application process (which is much more than a paper!).

I think of the 3 American Indian schools as charters that “cherry-pick”, since they are looking for the top students and get rid of the ones that do not cut it academically, while OMI tries like crazy to keep at risk students in school. (However, I think AIPCS results speak for themselves…they are doing something right.)

A lot of that money raised goes right to the students for uniforms (FREE), field trips (also FREE) before and after-school tutoring (FREE).

They do not have “special ed” or “handicapped” students because they do not have the services to properly deal with their needs…and what parent of a child with special needs would want their child at a school that doesn’t have services for them?

And do you think that kids that have been suspended or expelled from OUSD schools and get transferred, those schools don’t disclose that information?

All some of these at-risk students need is some discipline (sadly lacking in some OUSD schools) and a 2nd chance…OMI provides this.

So they ask on the application…how do you know that anyone with a discipline history is NOT admitted to OMI. Right now, they have their mandatory summer camp for incoming students…that is where these admission decisions are made. They let almost everyone in that applies and wants to come to the school. They find out BEFORE the school year starts, in the summer camp, who can make it and who cannot follow very simple rules.

I’m always surprised at people who do not really know anything about a school and can make broad generalizations about which they know nothing about. The web site is not the school, and you cannot know what percentage of applicants do not make it past the application process.

I’m going to find out from OMI what percentage of applicants are actually turned away. I know that they will lose some this week, and rightfully so…if you cannot follow the basic uniform rules, begin to follow orders, and work as a team, then OMI is not for you. Better to find out now, than have to transfer mid-year.

I’m thankful for Jerry Brown and all he has done for the school, they are getting results and the seniors are graduating with scholarships to great schools.
Until OUSD is able to offer a “Lowell” like SF does, then motivated middle-class parents are going to continue to chose the charters. OUSD is a train-wreck, and as an employee it makes me very sad.

You might wish to review the application form, Y. http://www.oakmil.org/20801081521242977/lib/20801081521242977/Application2010_final.pdf

The application form requires specific information to be submitted to the school before a student can be even be included in the admissions lottery.

CarolineSF is right. OMI clearly screens students for:
- Family circumstances (single v. dual parent household, grandparent raising child, foster home situation)
- # of years in U.S.
- Attendance history
- Expulsion history
- Suspension history
- Special education history
- Disability history

Of course OMI picks and chooses its students, otherwise there would be absolutely no need to ask for such detailed information in this very preliminary admissions step.

In addition, OMI as well as the Oakland School for the Arts have vast amounts of funds from private donations vigorously raised by Jerry Brown, as extensively documented on the Perimeter Primate blog and even in the mainstream media.

You’re welcome