Oakland Technical High School - Academies

Academies

Students at Oakland Technical High School have the option of enrolling in one of the school's academies, which operate as small subsets of the school. Students take one class within their academies, and spend the rest of the day in normal classes.

Paideia is an advanced History and English program directed by Maryann Wolfe and Marietta Joe. Together they both teach grades 10–12. In the sophomore year, students have the option to take English 2 Paideia and World Cultures, taught by Douglas Stubblefield and Marietta Joe. In 11th grade, students, based on their grades, have the option to enroll in AP or HP English and US History, taught by Elizabeth Haugen and Nathan Gong. In 12th grade, students who are recommended may take the advanced senior block, consisting of AP Government, AP Literature, and HP Comparative Government, taught by Marietta Joe and Maryann Wolfe, in which they analyze works of art and compare them to the government. Recently this year, another sub section has been added to Paideia. In senior year, students, according to grades, are also be able to take AP Government and AP English 4.

The Engineering Academy is a rigorous academy that focuses on mechanical engineering. Starting in 10th grade, the students in this academy study engineering, physics (focused on mechanics), drafting, etc. Students in this academy routinely win state-wide awards in various competitions. Students can be jointly enrolled in the Paideia and the Engineering programs.

The Engineering Academy and the Paideia program routinely send students to top-tier public and private universities. In 2007 the Engineering Academy sent more girls to the freshman class at MIT than any other school west of the Mississippi. In 2008, over half of the advanced senior block was accepted to the prestigious UC Berkeley. Students regularly score 4’s or 5’s for AP classes taken in the Paideia program.