Oak Park High School has long been recognized as a destination school, consistently demonstrating incredible academic results and exceptional student growth and achievements.
A strong indicator of the school’s excellence lies within its AP testing results. 49% of students at OPHS have taken and passed at least one AP exam according to the US News and World report. OPHS is also ranked 103 across all California Schools and ranked 1 in Oxnard, CA Metro Area High Schools.
OPHS offers a wide range of AP courses, allowing students to indulge in their passions, while also providing credible information through the lectures of well-selected staff and teachers.
As of recently, OPHS has an impressive AP pass rate of over 85%; with students consistently achieving a score of 3 or higher. This greatly boosts the school’s national rank, as average high school AP results are usually around 60%.
“I attribute to this to kind of an analogy to a three-legged stool,” AP United States history teacher Doctor Victor Anderson said. “Students, teachers, and parents are all part of this three-legged stool, and if any one of those fails, you’ll see the stool topple. But here at Oak Park, we have great parents, we have really good staff, and wonderful students.”
Another measure of student success at OPHS is the CAASPP (California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress) test. At OPHS 80.1% of students met or exceeded state standards for English while 73% met or exceeded state standards for math. These scores far exceed the state average of 47% of students meeting or exceeding standards for English, and only 35.5% of students meeting or exceeding the standards for math.
OPHS principal Matt McClenahan discussed the importance of student commitment and dedication to education as influences in higher test scores.
“OPHS students are excellent students who are committed to their education,” McClenahan said. “Having teachers cover material is not enough. Students must be responsive to the teaching they receive. Our students take ownership of their learning which drives them to high achievement.”
Not only does OPHS offer incredible academic opportunities, but provides an extensive range of extracurricular activities for students. Whether it be an athletic team or the speech and debate team, there’s a place for everyone. These various opportunities to create a strong community build self-confidence for students and help kids develop essential life skills within their passions.
“Oak Park offers some of the best extracurriculars,” junior Sowmika Talanki wrote to the Talon. “Mock Trial [has] changed me as a person because I gained so much confidence from being part of the program.”
OPHS has over 110 clubs and different organizations, ranging from psychology all the way to surfing. Students who have founded these clubs feel grateful for the endless opportunities OPHS has given them.
“I formed my club, Brainiacs, not just to explore a common passion of neuroscience and psychology alongside students genuinely interested in it, but to also take charge in a need for self-fulfillment that has been taking over my life,” junior club president Arvin Nejad wrote. “It’s not doubted that a heavy majority of our school is extremely motivated to excel, and while academics play a huge factor in that, people also want to have a chance to do other things”.
Alongside clubs and organizations, the school also has an impressive performing arts section. With 12-year music director Zachary Borquez as music director and Ms. McClamma directing choir and strings, the music program has flourished.
Junior Lilah Orenstein transferred to OPHS this year from El Camino High School. The changes Orenstein went through give her valuable insight about how the rigor of OPHS classes compare to ECHS classes.
“I will say Oak Park does hold more expectations,” junior Lillah Orenstein wrote. “I feel like the education at Oak Park is much better and allows for more opportunities to get help from teachers. I’ve noticed people here care a lot about their grades and their future. I am so happy being here at Oak Park and I think it’s a much better fit for who I am as a person.”
