Specialized Programs

Transitional Kindergarten (TK) is an early year Kindergarten experience that is now part of the state’s plan for universal pre-school access for four-year-old students. Each year until 2025 the age range for TK eligibility will expand. TK provides our youngest students with a year of Kindergarten readiness, giving them a stronger foundation in their following year of traditional kindergarten.

Learn about Transitional Kindergarten

Dual Language programs provide instruction in two languages at the same time. While the details differ, students learn in both languages throughout the day with the goal of being able to speak, read, and write in two languages. Currently, OUSD offers dual language programs for Spanish and English. These programs can be found at Bridges Elementary, Esperanza Elementary, Global Family, Greenleaf, International Community School, Lockwood Steam Academy, Manzanita SEED, and Melrose Leadership Academy.

Learn about Dual Language programs

The district also offers “language enriched programs.” These are programs where English remains the main language of instruction, but every student is able to take a class in a different language. Montera and Frick Middle Schools are Spanish enriched programs. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary is an Arabic enriched program.

OUSD offers a number of continuation schools in our alternative education department. The schools provide young people with a number of different pathways to earn a high school diploma, even if they are already lacking in credits.

Learn about Alternative Education Schools

Our virtual school is called Sojourner Truth Academy. It offers full-time online classes for students in grades TK-12.

Learn about Sojourner Truth Academy

OUSD offers services for students who have learning disabilities or exceptional cognitive or physical needs through infancy until age 22. We offer the full continuum of specialized programs, although not every school is able to offer every single special education program. All schools offer speech, resource, and inclusion services, and you can research which other programs are available at which campus here.

Learn about the district’s approach to special education