I write now with a son going into his Senior year and my daughter will soon be a Jr. They have both been at this school since 7th grade. I must say that this school is truly preparing them for the hardest of hard college. I am honored that my kids will graduate from the Orange County High School of the Arts. Keep the competiton strong and fierce because it prepares you for the real world.
School started August for both my kids. My daughter is a freshman and my son a sophomore. They both started at OCHSA when they were in the 7th grade so not much has changed except I now say they are both in high school. Gee I feel old. But I want to tell you what I think of this school. I cherish the opportunity to sit in on a class or just to be on the campus of this amazing school. This OC high school is not for everyone. You child will not be on a sports team but in a conservatory. They climb stairs to their air conditioned classes in an old but made new bank building. This is my story about this wonderful school. The dancing and music in the halls is loud , exciting and infectious. It gives me the chills to be here and I love it. I could almost feel my own feet wanting to tap. Oh to be young and to have had the chance to go to a school like this. Last year I sat in for a while in my kids math class. The kids were doing complicated math equations with I Pod music in the background. Each student had a sparkle in their eye. They were happy in class. My son’s science class was a class full of high energy and happy kids. The classes are not a lecture but a hands on creative group effort with colorful kids discovering new answers. Each student I get the chance to talk to or to see perform has found the true meaning of being happy at school. This is a school that they can be themselves, whoever they want to be. The parents here are involved and have worked very hard to prepare their children to achieve their artistic goals. You can not come to this school unless you have a strong parent. You see it is us parents that have driven these kids to their lessons and found this school for them so they can grow up be a part of the arts. This is a school that allows the student to focus on a passion that will be with them forever. They work hard to get excepted here and it is not easy to get in. My son Michael made it into the Symphony this year and will have the chance to play at Segrestron Hall. He is a violinist and piano composer and already knows he wants to write music for the movies. Annie also plays the violin but she wants to try acting. She tried out for acting and did not make it in but this year she will take classes and try again this year. If your child shows any creativity and you want them to be nurtured and guided to excellence then you need to look into The Orange County High School of the Arts. Kids commute as much as two hours each way just to come to this school. Good luck and remember. Practice! Practice! Practice!
As nice as this school is, it is also very heartbreaking to watch your child eagerly open “the letter” from OCHSA only to find out she’s been rejected and go from beaming and excited to trembling and teary eyed. She’ll try again next year, but this whole experience took away a good chunk of the sparkle in her eyes and the constant joy everyone could always see in her before being rejected. It doesn’t make sense that a girl who has been singing and acting since age 5, who makes the honor roll every semester, who loves this school and who lives in the area of the school can’t get in.
I want to find out what conservatory she tried out for. My daughter Annie tried out for two years for music and theater and she also received the dreaded letter. She stayed playing the violin for Instrumental Music but still she cried when the “letter” came. I truly believe with all my heart that they do pick the best of the best. It is so hard to get in. The school truly has become very hard to be excepted. It is also the hardest school to stay in also. You will have show after show and homework up to your eyebrows. You would be surprised how many kids get in and can not handle the work and leave mid semester. THE HOMEWORK IS RELENTLESS. Call the conservatory she tried out for and find out what she needs to work on. They are fair and they are honest. They are demanding and they are hard on the kids. The school had 1000′s of new applicants for each conservatory. The competition is fierce. Have her become strong and you must persist. It is a great school and they do not let everyone in. It is not about grades or money it is about talent. They want the best and we MOMS FOR SURE THINK OUR KID IS THE BEST! Look at the people who really think they are good trying out for American Idol. You do not get into every play you audition for and you do not get into every show you work hard to be in. YOU HAVE TO WORK HARD. OCHSA is demanding the best and they deserve it. Keep trying and try for mid semester. I see what it takes to stay a student at OCHSA. Please try again every year. The summer program and the Bridge to Broadway is a must. We will see you at OCHSA this summer.
I am so glad to hear you say such wonderful things about OCHSA. My son did get accepted for 7th grade next year and did get into music and theatre. He is really excited for next year. I have heard many mixed messages about OCHSA and I just hope this school is the perfect fit for him. I will be honest and say that he has worked really hard to get in. He has taken classes and voice lessons for the past 2 years and his hard work has truly paid off. He also went on many auditions and performed in many community theatre productions to prepare for his OCHSA audition.
I hope this school has the same results and wonderful experiences for my child as it has for yours.
First Congratulains. What mixed messages have you heard? call me. But remenber it is not about you it is how happy your kid is. I am so glad to hear that your son got into music and theater. HE IS GOING TO HAVE SO MUCH FUN! Both my kids entered OCHSA in the 7th grade and I look back at the photos and they were so little. I was going to say how hard it is to get into M & T but then I remember the audition for instrumental music was extremely difficult. I truly like OCHSA. I like the parents because of their commitment to help their son or daughter get into this school. They have to drive and schedule all the lessons. Good for you Mom. If I could change one thing about OCHSA is they need a bigger cafeteria. So the first couple of days next year pack him a lunch. You will be simply amazed at how your son will grow with confidence. The school has very little problems if any. My son 17 and daughter 16 have made life long friends. It is fun to know that someday their friends could grow up to be famous or to be doing what they are passionate about. Please go to the finale at the performing arts center. You will get chills. Your son will be on the stage one day announcing what fantastic school he will be attending. Volunteer doing what you love. Make sure to brag to all your friends and anyone that will listen that you son will be attending The Orange County High School of the Arts. I love that our school has very few rules about how to dress. So have fun seeing some pretty wild outfits. If you want to laugh go to Facebook and look up. You know you go to OCHSA when. This will make you laugh your head off. Make sure you attend the parent meeting. Meet Ralph Opacic. He is the founder of our school. He is brilliant. CONGRATULATIONS and when your talking with people and they are talking about where their kid goes to school and you say, ” The Orange County High School of the Arts”. You will see a reaction each and every time. They all know it is not easy to get into this school. OH and the homework. Give your kids vitamins. The homework does not get easy when they have show rehearsals. I hope to meet you soon. Penny Fleming. and keep a good record for his artistic resume’
We feel very lucky that he got in. He is the only one of his friends this year to get accepted into music and theatre. He did do a lot to prepare though and it would be our advice for others trying to get in. He performed and auditioned for many community theatre musicals over the last 2 years. He also took voice lessons and acting classes. It means so much to him and it truly is his life. He walked into the OCHSA audition confident and prepared. When he was done he walked out and told me “this is the place I belong. I did my best and I hope it is what they are looking for.” He can’t wait for this school year to end so he can begin his new journey next year.
I know the academics are tough, but I hope the conservatory is as well. He currently performs as the only middle schooler in a high school program and is really being challenged. I just hope being with all 7th graders will be equally challenging. I am really excited though that he will be with tons of other creative kids and that the teachers will understand that creative part of him as well. I am a little worried about the school workload and the long ride on the train to and from school.
Gina
Where does he take the train from? I will introduce him to a buddy. He is so lucky to take the train. From what I have heard they have time to study or laugh their heads off and sometimes sleep. The train is a good thing. Call me I have a question for you. 9496315596
My daughter plays the violin and got accepted to OCHSA 7th grade. I looked at the train schedule in the moring is great. However, there is 30 minutes wait at the S.A. station on the way home. I’m a little worry about the safety issues. Also, do you know if OCHSA has GATE class or accelerated classes for English and Social Study? What’s the teacher/student ratio in 7th grade? Thank you so much for writing the article about OCHSA and I look forward to hearing from you!
Congratulations getting into Instrumental music at OCHSA. I have two kids in this conservatory and of course it is my favorite conservatory. In regards to the train station how lucky to have that time to hang out with your friends at the train station. Since there are so many kids doing the same thing they all stick together. She will be fine. You made me laugh when you asked your question about, “does OCHSA have gate”. The entire school is GATE to me. Meaning it is hard and offers classes that are challenging. Honors classes and AP classes is what she will taking when she is settled and ready for harder classes. OCHSA is also hard to get into and the homework is relentless. You must be so proud that she was selected from hundreds of applicants. Waiting to get “the acceptance” letter to see if your child was good enough to get in will make any parent worry. The educational program prepares students for higher education institutions or employment in the professional arts industry. Both the academic and arts program have prompted recognition in the US News’ “Best High Schools” program. The Orange County High School of the Arts provides an academic program that aims to produce high achieving and motivated scholars. I have heard of many kids that get in and drop out because it is so hard and demanding.
In 7th grade they are still getting out early. It was so long ago that my kids were in 7th and 8th grade. I just remember that they had more time to practice and they were able to get to bed early. Welcome to OCHSA a wonderful place to call home for the next 6 years.
Thank you very much for your prompt reply and all the helpful information! I wish that other parents new to OCHSA can read your posts. I’m so happy that both your children are playing violin and I can get a first hand advice. For the conservatory, what classes are they offered for the violin students? Do they have chamber music group for the 7th graders or just the string orchestra? Do they give class on violin technique? My daughter was invited to play in the H.S. orchestra. She’s excited and honored, but we decided to wait one or two years. I like the M.S. schedule and she can still have time for sports and play piano (her primary instrument) after school. I heard that M.S. students are taking classes in the Annex which is nice. Most likely she will be taking the Algebra class in 7th grade. Do they have Algebra class just for 7th graders or she has to take it with 8th graders? Are parents needed to help out in the classroom? How’s the traffic on Fridays since everyone is out at 1:30PM and there is no train till very late? Sorry for asking so too many questions. You are very kind and care about imcoming students. Thank you!
I really must be very honest here. You were excepted into a coveted prestigious orchestra and you declined??? I can not believe you did this. WHY? This is an honor to play and learn the most amazing music. The conductor is fantastic. The kids are so much fun. You must change this decision. If you daughter wants to play the violin then this is where you learn. My son also plays the piano but does this after school. Your question about traffic. Doesn’t matter we all do it. You will learn what works for you to pick her up. The Algebra class. You will have all ages in this class. My daughter did pre- Calculus as a sophomore and she had all ages in the class. Your will find out about your conservatory classes the second week of school. Call if you have any other questions. Go to all the meetings, all the shows and most of all HAVE FUN!
I have a son who just completed 7th grade in Instrumental Music, and who took Algebra this past year (mixed 7th and 8th graders), and a younger son who will be entering 7th grade in Instrumental Music this fall My younger son will be in the Symphony Orchestra this year as a 7th grader. He is so excited! There are a few 7th/8th graders in the Symphony Orchestra. My older son took the train this year almost every day, all the way from Oceanside. There are always at least a few OCHSA students on the train, even during finals and holiday weeks. We did not have any safety issues; the only problem was that the OCHSA shuttle bus from the train station was sometimes late, so he was late to class. It was an excused tardy, but he did not like showing up late. He did homework on the train in the morning, and usually socialized or just relaxed on the way home (although I wished he would do homework!). It has been a challenge to juggle music lessons, practice, homework and sleep, but he loves the school, although he would love if we lived closer so he didn’t have to wake up so early! Time management is key to success here. My kids were in a homeschool/classroom hybrid charter prior to OCHSA, so this has been a real change, and a boon for their budding independence.
You must be so proud to know that your driving to music lessons and paying for all the many hours of music has paid off. Symphony Orchestra is an honor. I had one blog comment from a parent who’s child made it into symphony and she, not the kid wanted to wait a couple of years???? I said she was nuts. I screamed in my head why would not want you kid in the most prestigious orchestra. Does your student play in another ochestra?
Well mom I am glad that you send your child to OCHSA allllll the way from Oceanside. Thank you for your comments and tell me more if you can.
Penny Fleming (949) 631-5596
Penny,
I am so happy to find your blog — I was looking for a connection to someone who has a child who has auditioned and been accepted into the school. Can I call or text the number you have listed with a couple of questions? I would love to find a parent who I can talk to about MT, as I have a million questions. Thanks so much,
Laura
Hi Laura,
My son is a 7th grader this year and is in Musical Theatre. Let me know if I can be of any help. My son absolutley loves school. He is thriving and was the only 7th grader this year cast in the 11th and 12th grade musical, Les Mis. I can’t say enough about how happy he is to go to school each day.
Gina
Gina I’d love to pick your brain if you wouldnt mind
HI there,
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My son auditioned yesterday for MT (acting). He will be an incoming freshman. He felt his audition was awesome and the teacher gave GREAT feedback, so I hope he gets that April acceptance letter lol. Its been fun reading the above posts. Its nerve racking to think we have 2 months before we hear anything