Oakland Military Institute College Prepartory Academy

I now have two sons at this school. Now my children have the same opportunity as private school children and the same curriculum, two classes of science and two of math, all at 90% less then a private school.
Unforgivably the school is out growing itself, I hope they can keep it together. Once the children are done earning there way into the school all the military stuff is out the door.
UPDATE: The school is going through alot of growth as well as physical building growth (2013 – 2016) that has has civilian staff changes that are noticeably bad and has us parents having to keep up with all the changes. Knowing class size has increased with the campus and the consistency of maintaining disapline is lacking; but then I’m a former Marine.
They don’t push military enlistment; however, graduating from there counts as a R.O.T.C. It is a Certified college predatory and over 75% of graduates go on to a college.
If you want your child to learn the lost art of RESPECT & RESPONSIBILITY while learing a higher level of education take a free tour.

This August will start my daughter’s second year at OMI. She started in 6^th grade and is now going to 7^th. Before I found out about this school I dreaded the possibility of having to put her in a regular Oakland city public school. Never mind the low test scores, classrooms being over crowded, teachers who count the minutes left to go home, the fights, gang activity, and drug activity, this was more than I wanted my child to have to handle. I was desperate. I was told at my entrance interview at OMI that this was not a school for troubled kids (CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF) but a college preparatory school that will help children who WANT to excel in their academic career.
During my time at this school I’ve encountered a few parents who were unhappy with boot camp because it was «just too hard». I felt bad for the children of those parents. As a parent, do we not want our children to work their hardest to excel and achieve their goals? I’ve seen children receive demerits for failing uniform inspection and parents getting angry about that. Is it not also the parents responsibility to make sure their children have everything they need to work towards a bigger goal? Shouldn’t we, as parents, encourage that? Who dropped the ball, the school or the parent?
To anyone considering this school I will say, this school is not here to raise your child for you. This school encourages parents to GET INVOLVED in their child’s life and academic success. In my opinion, that’s something parents should be doing ANYWAY. This school is not here to «fix» your child, instead help them be productive human beings who can thrive in this type of structured environment. The fact there is a diverse student body is a plus, not a negative, as some might think. As a parent sometimes life catches up with us and it is hard to keep track of every little thing every minute, however, with my child at this school I know she is being equipped with academic support, life skills, and being taught the importance of self-​respect in addition to the support she is given at home, which is what is most important. And as if that wasn’t enough, this school promotes good health and exercise which is becoming non-​existent with today’s generation.
I am extremely happy with the way the school is being run. I recommend it to anyone. The only way to fairly judge anything is to try it for yourself. Giving this school a try is worth it! I am not a teacher, sub, or staff member of this school. I am simply a mother who wants the absolute best for her child, as many of us do, therefore I am a proud parent of OMI. I would not have it any other way.

I student taught here for half a year and taught middle school the rest of the year. All in all this is by far, hands down one of the best schools I’ve ever been to. The social studies department is awesome. They make the content accessible to all students and spend countless hours planning and implementing lessons to ensure each and every cadet gets a first class education. Keep up the great work OMI!!!

I first heard about this school in 2010 and wanted my eldest to attend because this school offered structure not seen in OUSD today. I was impressed by the staff and the students. My eldest son is more timid and shy kid, so I thought he would excel in an environment where the children are held to a higher standard. Their stats are amazing and I knew this would be his home for the 10^th grade. He attended camp and on day 3 was released because of too many demerits. At that time there was no alternative given or a mention of another camp later in the summer. However I met someone who is on the staff and he told me he could get my son into the 2^nd camp if I was interested. At the time my son was with my dad out of state and it would have cost me too much to get him back in time. So I decided this is the school for my younger as soon when he is of age and grade to attend.
My younger son is much more head strong and strong willed. He was very interested in the different ranks as well as the school. He was so excited and I just knew this one would get in because he is almost the complete opposite of his older brother. Well the afternoon before the last day of camp, I receive a call stating he was being released. I drive over there, my son is in tears as well as myself because we are both very disappointed that he came this far and was released. My son asked about a 2^nd camp and was told there was no way he would get into it. I called and called with no return call. I finally called Dr. Ryan who told me he could come to the 2^nd camp.
Relieved for another chance I talked to my son to confirm he was still interested in the school. We started boot camp all over again. My son came home and said, «Mom it’s just too hard, I was given a demerit for putting on my sweatshirt too slow!» I told him this is designed to show you can follow directions. Well today I didn’t get a call but was told they wanted to speak with me when I picked him up. Someone walked up to me and said, «Your son received 5 demerits and was released today. He is a good kid and can try again next summer» I was shocked because I knew my son’s desire, but what could I say? There was no genuine desire to discuss it by the staff member so I left.
My 2 sons couldn’t be more different if they tried and for the life of me I don’t know what kind of child does well at OMI. Oldest son very shy and timid, youngest very head strong and loves to learn. The one thing I did take note of is the demographic of OMI. Although I still believe it to be a great school I guess my children aren’t great for it. I would always suggest trying it for yourself…

After spending the day at OMI as a substitute teacher, I agree with Kiya B that this school is not at all equipped to handle the behavioral/​emotional issues that many of its students face. The «because I said so» environment is enforced by a ridiculous system of demerits that prevents kids from actually learning to become responsible adults who are accountable for their actions.
I am an experienced sub who has been to many schools in the Bay Area and worked with many students who have learning differences and very difficult home lives. I have never been treated so poorly by students in any other school, however, and spent the day at OMI being lied to, laughed at, and sexually harassed. I don’t blame the kids, nonetheless, because it was clear that they are not being given the support or attention they need to feel any sense of ownership over their own education. It was clear that the military values that the school claims are so effective were a complete joke, at the least, to most of the students. For the first time in my career as a sub, I left this school and said «never again.»
If you are considering this school for your child, I would look into all other options and regard this school as an absolute last resort. It is clearly so poorly organized that the «structure» and «discipline» it touts are absent, save from the uniforms the kids are forced to wear. There are some extremely bright, focused, intelligent, and creative kids at this school, it’s too bad they are not getting what they need. If you spent a day in this school, you would agree. I have visited and taught in schools that did much more for the kids with limited resources. This school may have fancy electronic white boards and an official-​looking military-​style turf yard, but as far as I witnessed today, it is completely void of intellectual exchange between students and teachers, emotional support for those who need it, and an empowering and encouraging environment to allow kids to have a personal investment in their school work and take pride in their success.

This is an Oakland based school. The majority of the students are youth of color, growing up in the inner city. This school administration is not equipped to serve the community. Although it is an OUSD public school, they are very quick to let a student go by reason of «too many demerits» (military lingo) — leaving the child to look for continuation schools.
If you have a child/​student that you are hoping to enroll at this school, I recommend you only think of this alternative if they do not have ANY behavioral/​emotional issues at all. Unfortunately, most people drawn to a Military academy are drawn because they are seeking the structure that it can provide. The large piece missing is the ability to serve the population properly.

My youngest son attended this school from 10^th — 12^th grade. I was at a loss as to where to send him to school after my oldest 2 children graduated from high school. Although we lived in Oakland at the time, I enrolled them at schools in San Francisco, in order to avoid them having to attend Oakland public schools. Now that we could no longer carpool, the choice was to either have him take public transportation to SF, or find a school in Oakland. OMI was the perfect fit, as it provided the structure, discipline, direction and guidance that he needed, and didn’t receive from the previous high school that he attended, where he was just another face in the crowd. Class sizes are smaller and students receive more individual attention. As a result, his grades improved and the lifelong problem of goofing off in class was curtailed. He graduated last year with OMI’s 2^nd graduating class. Attorney General, Jerry Brown, who founded the school in 2001 was the guest speaker. I am very happy with the education that he received and continue to support this school.