CTE and Summer Academy

Career Technical Education

OSA prepares young artists for successful careers in their chosen fields through Career Technical Education (CTE)—California’s defined course sequences recognized for integrating academic, technical, and occupational knowledge. The California Department of Education has recognized OSA as a CTE model school in the Arts, Media, and Entertainment Division. At OSA, students choose between two CTE pathways: Design, Visual & Media Arts or Performing Arts.

In addition to learning from professional artists that provide industry-relevant training each day, OSA students can take part in work-based learning opportunities that include creating public art, running their own radio broadcasts, participating in international competitions, collaborating with commercial designers, and completing internships that allow them to graduate with a union card in hand.

AMONG 2021–22 HIGHLIGHTS ARE: • KPFA, a Bay Area, listener-funded radio station in Berkeley, asked the OSA student-run radio broadcast to produce a weekly talk show; • Through OSA’s internship program, three students—Makiah Hiley, Sarah Clemmons, and Daisha Williams— were selected to be student journalists for the Post News Group, where they wrote articles that were published in various newspapers; and • OSA laid the groundwork to implement two student-run businesses in 2022–23: an OSA record label and a quarterly magazine, 510 MAG.

OSA goes beyond honing students’ art creation and performance skills by placing a strong focus on entrepreneurship and career preparation. Ninth graders take a semester-long “Business of the Arts” course, launching a 4-year journey to create a professional portfolio, while seniors complete a “Capstone” course as their final preparation for college and career success.

Summer Academy

In 2022, OSA piloted a fun and educational summer program for students ages 9-14. Students selected from eight different art academies taught by professional artists. The Academy provided summer arts enrichment to OSA students and Oakland area youth, gave OSA students the opportunity to try art forms outside of their emphasis areas, and connected OSA faculty, staff and other local artists with summer employment. The program served 80 students, 85% of whom were not enrolled at OSA, making the program a community asset for Bay Area families. Fees from the Academy contributed to OSA’s continuing efforts to generate revenue to meet its annual fundraising goal. For families that needed financial assistance, OSA provided scholarships to ensure that the Academy was open to all students.