About OCCA
A tuition-free public charter school built on a simple promise: to form students in scholarship, moral character, and civic virtue, through a classical education delivered with clear communication. A tuition-free public charter school built on a simple promise: to form students in scholarship, moral character, and civic virtue, through a classical education delivered with modern clarity.
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Our Mission
Mission
The Mission of Orange County Classical Academy is to develop students in mind and character through a classical, content-rich liberal arts and sciences curriculum that emphasizes the principles of scholarship, moral character, and civic virtue.
Vision
Orange County Classical Academy will develop exceptional citizens who are keepers and defenders of the principles of our freedom, while also instilling intellectual and personal habits and skills upon which responsible, independent and productive lives are built.
What makes OCCA distinct
Four pillars
Classical, not trendy
Students engage substantial content and learn to think clearly, through careful reading, thoughtful writing, and guided discussion.
Formation with warmth
High expectations and consistent routines create a calm environment where students are known, supported, and called upward, families notice clear expectations, respectful classrooms, and teachers who correct with care.
Partnership with parents
We communicate clearly and build structures that make it easier for families to stay connected and informed, through straightforward updates, accessible events, and responsive support when questions come up.
A culture worth joining
School culture matters. We aim for order, joy, and purpose, so learning feels beautiful and life-giving, not noisy.
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Hillsdale College support and training
Orange County Classical Academy is a Hillsdale College Member School, a distinction that offers our school access to curriculum and training from the Hillsdale College K-12 Education Office. Each year complimentary trainings are offered at Hillsdale College for the board, leadership, and teachers at NMCA, and representatives from Hillsdale visit the school regularly to advise and observe. Orange County Classical Academy follows the tried and true Hillsdale College K-12 Curriculum to offer an American Classical Education.
What this means
- Teacher training and development to strengthen classical instruction
- Resource support that reinforces a coherent classical approach
- A shared commitment to academic excellence and formation
What this does not mean
- No tuition or additional fees for families
- Not a replacement for local school leadership or governance
- Teachers remain thoughtful professionals
Leadership and governance
OCCA is a tuition-free public charter school governed by a dedicated board of directors. School leadership and faculty work together to cultivate a campus culture that is orderly, warm, and academically serious.
School Leadership
Our leadership team serves as faithful stewards of the school's mission and vision. Guided by the principles of classical education, they are committed to cultivating wisdom, virtue, and academic excellence in every student. Working closely with faculty, families, and the broader school community, our leaders foster a culture rooted in truth, goodness, and beauty. Through thoughtful leadership and a commitment to human flourishing, they help ensure that each student is equipped with the knowledge, character, and habits necessary to lead lives of purpose, service, and responsible citizenship.
Board & Governance
Orange County Classical Academy is governed by a Board of Directors committed to preserving OCCA's mission and ensuring long-term success. Through faithful governance, strategic oversight, and stewardship, our Board works to uphold the principles of classical education while advancing academic excellence and virtue. Our board provides vision, accountability, and leadership in support of students, families, and the broader school community. Their service helps ensure OCCA remains rooted in its founding mission while preparing future generations for lives of purpose, responsibility, and citizenship.
The people who make it real
A school is only as strong as its teachers. At OCCA, faculty and staff work to create classrooms where students are challenged with care, where learning is serious and students are treated with dignity. Families value that our teachers communicate clearly, know their students well, and partner with parents to support steady growth in both academics and character.A school is only as strong as its teachers. At OCCA, faculty and staff work to create classrooms where students are challenged with care, where learning is serious and students are treated with dignity.
Spotlight strip
Faculty Spotlight
“Why I teach classically”
Taylor Martin
Principal
Staff Spotlight
“What I want families to know about OCCA”
Paul Andreu
Librarian
Student Support Spotlight