Welcome to Oakland Tech!
Starting high school is an exciting milestone, and we know there are a lot of questions. Our goal is to make your family's transition as smooth as possible. Below are answers to some of the most common questions we receive. If you ever need additional support, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to help!
Final student schedules will be available to view the week before school begins.
Please remember that schedules go through several rounds of adjustments throughout the summer as we balance class sizes and staffing. We appreciate your patience while we work to create the best schedule possible for every student.
In most cases, no.
AP and Dual Enrollment courses are generally prioritized for 11th and 12th grade students because many of these classes help fulfill graduation and college readiness goals during their junior and senior years.
However, there are rare situations where a 9th or 10th grade student who has already met certain graduation requirements may be considered if seats become available after upperclassmen have been placed.
Every student's academic journey is different, and there will be many opportunities throughout high school to challenge themselves academically.
All 9th grade students are required to complete one year of PE or Dance to earn their first PE graduation credit.
During 10th-12th grade, students may either:
Continue taking PE, or
Participate in two different school sports during the same school year (in different seasons) to earn their second PE graduation requirement.
We encourage students to stay active in whichever way best fits their interests.
Unfortunately, no.
Students are intentionally assigned to a House with a dedicated team of teachers and staff who work closely together to support their academic progress, social-emotional growth, and overall success throughout the year.
Keeping students within their assigned House allows teachers and counselors to build strong relationships and provide the best possible support.
We understand that sometimes students realize a class may not be what they expected.
Course changes are only available during the beginning of the school year. After the third week of school, schedule changes are generally no longer possible.
Changing classes later in the semester can place students significantly behind on coursework, which may negatively impact their grades and GPA. Our goal is to set students up for success by keeping them in courses where they can fully participate from the beginning.
If a student is experiencing a serious concern with a class, please contact your counselor so we can discuss available options.
Unfortunately, teacher requests cannot be accommodated.
Teachers are assigned to specific Houses and have carefully balanced class rosters. Because of this, students cannot be placed into another House or class based on teacher preference.
Please know that every Oakland Tech teacher is committed to helping students learn and succeed, and we are confident your student will have caring educators supporting them.
We'd love to have your student involved!
Please email:
Amosley@BACR.org
They can provide information about available programs, enrollment, activities, and opportunities after school.
We're here to help connect you with the right support.
For questions about 504 Plans or general IEP information:
Ladonna.Williams@ousd.org
For questions regarding IEP evaluations or testing:
If you're unsure who to contact, your student's counselor is always happy to help point you in the right direction.
Oakland Tech offers five Career Pathways that allow students to explore different interests while preparing for college and future careers.
Current pathways include:
Computer Science
Engineering
Health
Race, Policy & Law (RPL)
Fashion, Arts & Design Pathway(Fashion)
Students in a pathway enjoy opportunities such as:
Internship and job shadow experiences
Field trips
Guest speakers
Collaborative teacher teams
Supportive student cohorts
Specialized pathway coursework
Most importantly...
A pathway does not determine your student's future career.
Think of pathways as opportunities to explore new interests and build valuable skills. For example, a student in the Fashion Academy can absolutely become a doctor, engineer, lawyer, or anything else they choose.
If your student does not receive their first-choice pathway, we encourage them to keep an open mind. Every pathway provides outstanding learning experiences and college preparation.
Oakland Tech is committed to creating equitably balanced pathway cohorts that reflect the diversity of our entire student population.
Students rank their 1st, 2nd, and 3rd pathway choices during their 9th grade year for placement beginning in 10th grade.
The vast majority of students receive either their first or second choice.
No matter which pathway a student joins, every pathway offers:
Rigorous academics
Integrated curriculum
Work-based learning opportunities
Personalized support
College and career preparation
Students who wish to explore a different pathway may submit a pathway transfer request during the middle of their 10th grade year.
Paideia is not a Career Pathway.
It is an advanced Humanities program that combines rigorous English and History coursework designed to strengthen critical thinking, writing, discussion, and college readiness.
Students may participate in both Paideia and:
Computer Science
Engineering
Fashion (FADA)
However, students cannot participate in both Paideia and either:
Health Pathway
Race, Policy & Law (RPL)
Students who wish to begin at a level above Algebra 1 must complete several steps.
First, Oakland Tech must receive an official transcript showing successful completion of Algebra 1 through middle school or another accredited program.
Students will then register for an Algebra 1 Exit Exam to demonstrate mastery before placement into Geometry.
Some students may also have the opportunity to take Algebra 1 and Geometry simultaneously to accelerate their math sequence.
For testing dates and additional information, please contact:
Keely.Machmer@ousd.org
Absolutely!
Students are welcome to enroll in community college courses that interest them.
However, families should know that these classes generally do not earn Oakland Tech high school graduation credit if they replace courses required for graduation.
We encourage students to choose courses that expand their interests rather than duplicate classes already offered at Oakland Tech. Examples include:
Psychology
Culinary Arts
Photography
Business
Computer Programming
Other enrichment courses
Even though these courses may not count toward high school graduation requirements, they can strengthen a student's college applications by demonstrating initiative, curiosity, and a willingness to challenge themselves academically.
If you're unsure whether a course is appropriate, we encourage you to speak with your student's counselor before enrolling.
We're Here to Support You
Beginning high school is a big step for both students and families. Questions are always welcome, and we encourage you to reach out whenever you need guidance.
Our goal is to partner with you throughout your student's high school journey so they feel supported, challenged, and prepared for success at Oakland Tech and beyond.
Welcome to the Bulldog family—we're excited to have you with us!