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Mission Statement
OCASA is a joy-filled, student-centered, collaborative community that inspires growth through a personalized learning experience.
Background Statement
The Orange County Academy of Sciences and Arts (“OCASA”) is an innovative charter school network that offers a wide variety of programs for students in grades TK-12. OCASA provides a unique and creative environment that encourages scientific exploration and artistic expression. The school offers an integrated curriculum that combines traditional core subjects such as math, science, English, and history with specialized courses focusing on robotics, coding, engineering, performing arts and fine arts. Students also have access to an extensive array of extracurricular activities ranging from chess clubs to surf club. OCASA dedicated to nurturing young minds so they can become tomorrow’s leaders in technology, engineering, arts, and sciences. At OCASA Elementary School, located in Laguna Niguel, we provide education for students from TK to 5th grade. Our curriculum places a strong emphasis on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM), allowing students to apply real-world experiences to enhance their understanding of new concepts and acquire knowledge. For students in 6th to 12th grade, OCASA College Prep offers classes at our Aliso Viejo campus. Our campuses are dedicated to providing unique and innovative curricula, specifically designed to prepare K-10th grade students for a future focused on STEM. At OCASA, we prioritize understanding the individual strengths, attributes, and learning needs of each student. This knowledge serves as a guide in crafting personalized learning and development plans that foster their growth. Our Base Curriculum is designed to support this personalized approach, identifying each child's unique goals and the differentiated strategies that will be pursued by the student, their family, and educators to achieve them. Extensive research has shown that students who actively engage in the arts, including those from minority and low-income backgrounds, not only perform better academically but also have higher rates of school retention. At OCASA, we firmly believe that every student possesses the potential to excel both academically and personally, forming the cornerstone of our teaching model.
Impact Statement
OCASA has a long history of providing students with innovative and engaging educational opportunities. The school's mission focuses on personalized learning to drive individual student growth alongside its strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. OCASA currently serves 328 students across our two campuses. Approximately 30% of our students are high needs coming from a lower socioeconomic background, classified as English Learners or are Students with Disabilities. Despite working with a diverse population, OCASA students have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement. The California Department of Education measures improvement in scores from year to year with their Student-Level Growth Model. OCASA students perform exceedingly well, with an Aggregate Growth Score of 114.0 in English Language Arts (“ELA”) and 109.3 in Math - indicative of significant growth. A comparison of OCASA's growth model data against other schools in the state shows OCASA offering superior student growth. The most recent California School Dashboard, an online tool providing comprehensive data on student performance, also highlights OCASA students' strong academic achievements. OCASA students demonstrated some of the highest achievement and growth scores in California.
Needs Statement
OCASA receives $17,196 of funding for each student per year but spends $20,169 per student annually. In order to operate our high-quality program, we need to fundraise approximately $3,000 per student per year. Some of this funding comes from parent donations to cover field trips and our after school program at around $500 per year per student. Additionally, we have a highly engaged PTSA which typically donates another $100 per year per student. This leaves us with a $2,400 shortfall per student each year.
Geographic Areas Served
Orange County, California
Top Three Populations Served
Latinos
African Americans
Asian Americans Native Hawaiian Pacific Islanders (AANHPI)
Statement from the CEO/Executive Director
OCASA’s educational model is uniquely designed to meet the needs of every learner. The cornerstone belief that guides our approach is that all students are capable of thriving academically, socially and emotionally. OCASA’s guiding principles describe the values of the Charter School, its staff and the entire learning community by providing an excellent education to every child. In service of this goal, OCASA meets each child’s social, emotional, physical, and academic needs in preparation for an increasingly complex and globalized world. To achieve these goals, OCASA operates under four guiding principles of teaching and learning: every child is unique; we learn by doing; a commitment to equality and diversity is vital; and a thriving community nurtures thriving students. OCASA’s model is founded in the belief that each and every student has the potential to excel academically and personally. The unique strengths, attributes and learning needs each student must guide the creation of a learning and development plan that will support their growth at OCASA. The Base Curriculum supports individualized learning, identifying each child’s unique goals and the differentiated strategies the student, their family, and educators will pursue to achieve them. Additionally, the design of the instructional program at OCASA allows for teachers to serve as facilitators of self-directed learning. Students are able to learn at their own pace and be grouped appropriately based on the instructional topic. The curriculum lends itself to a highly differentiated approach designed to ensure that all learners are engaged, challenged and on a path towards success.
Statement from the Board Chair/President
It has been a passion and an honor for me to serve as the Board Chair for OCASA and watch OCASA unfold into the school we feel meets the needs of a thriving community in South Orange County. At OCASA, we are driven by a profound commitment to providing every student we serve with an exceptional educational experience. Our mission centers on creating an individualized learning journey for each student—especially through a highly engaging curriculum that seamlessly integrates STEM and Arts daily. Having had the privilege of visiting numerous schools across California, I can confidently say that OCASA stands out in its dedication to fostering a truly unique and enriching environment. During my visits, I witnessed students passionately working towards personalized goals, classrooms abuzz with projects, and learning spaces filled with rich educational materials. It is not just the infusion of STEM and Arts into our curriculum but the genuine commitment to tailoring the learning experience to each student's needs that makes OCASA unique. This occurs as the result of teacher planning, use of effective programs like Summit Learning, unique student grouping, and effective use of instructional aide support for students. OCASA classrooms are hubs of exploration, creativity, and individual growth. OCASA provides the kinds of experiences that help students become the thinkers of the future.
OCASA Charter STEAM K-12 Personalized Educational Model
| At OCASA Charter (TK-5) in Laguna Niguel, the maximum class size is 32 students with two teachers (Lead & Assistant) in each classroom. At OCASA College Prep (6-10) in Aliso Viejo, the maximum class size is 25 students with one teacher. While COVID-19 restrictions are in place, the maximum number of students in a physical classroom at one time is 16 students. As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, the student count on campus may change to adhere to state and local regulations. OCASA Charter and OCASA College Prep offer all of the required courses at each grade level including Math, English Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, and Physical Education. In addition, we have a number of specialty classes that vary by grade level and campus such as fine arts, music, engineering, design & modeling, computer science, and Spanish. OCASA Charter and OCASA College Prep are classroom-based personalized learning schools. The goal is to provide the right instruction to each student regardless of their age or grade-level. Both schools offer Personalized Learning to provide instruction that meets the needs of each student -- remedial, grade level or advanced. At the Elementary level (Transitional Kindergarten to 5th Grade), personalized learning is achieved through an individualized learning plan and small group instruction. The mixed-age classrooms allow OCASA Charter to create learning groups tailored to the needs of each student. All classrooms at OCASA Charter (TK-5) are mixed-grade level. At the Middle School and High School level (6th -12th grade), all classes are single-grade level. OCASA achieves personalized learning through a sophisticated learning management system called Summit Learning. This platform allows the teachers at OCASA College Prep to tailor the student’s assignments to their individual needs in a single-grade level classroom. In addition, each student is assigned a mentor and a Self-Directed Learning (SDL) period to work on individual goals, group projects, and teacher-directed workshops OCASA’s curriculum is centered on: • Language Arts: Every student is provided with a comprehensive Language Arts curriculum that incorporates essential skill-building, regular practice in reading, writing, listening and speaking, and opportunities for creative expression. OCASA College Prep emphasizes literacy for authentic purposes – both academic and personal. • Mathematics: A cohesive math curriculum promotes math fluency and accuracy as well as conceptual understanding of important mathematical ideas and mathematical reasoning. Hands-on activities and materials in the classroom help students to see the connections between math concepts and the world around them. Additionally, math is applied in various ways. Students explore complex problems and potential solutions that require the use of quantitative reasoning and collaborative problem-solving skills. • Science and Engineering: The science program at OCASA College Prep emphasizes inquiry, curiosity, collaboration, and scientific literacy. OCASA College Prep is especially interested in utilizing the Next Generation Science Standards, which emphasize inquiry-oriented investigations, real-life application, and interdisciplinary thinking about scientific concepts. • Social Studies: The Social Studies curriculum builds students’ understanding of themselves and the world around them. Using investigation, thematic units, and essential questions, the Social Studies curriculum will naturally build upon students’ prior knowledge and experience and will honor and celebrate their diverse backgrounds and cultures. OCASA's Elementary School & OCASA College Prep are both Fully Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. | |
| Budget | $6,873,284 |
|---|---|
| Outcomes | OCASA students practice experiential learning where concepts and problems are relevant to the real world and utilizes a rigorous, inquiry-based instructional model to support this approach. Constructivist theory explains that real world experiences help learners to make meaning for themselves and helps them strive toward deep levels of understanding. OCASA enables students to ask questions, make discoveries, observe patterns, and exhibit creativity. In short, rigorous inquiry and application lead students to meaningful learning. Faculty engages in design processes to constantly improve instructional approaches and the students’ overall experience. And, in the spirit of continuous learning, we partner with other excellent schools, universities and community organizations to share best practices, especially as they relate to inquiry-based learning. We see our role in the ecosystem of Orange County schools as: 1. A lab-school focused on experiential learning as well as a test bed to prototype other nontraditional educational approaches; 2. A thought partner responsible for sharing out best practices and lessons learned, and; 3. A collaborator working alongside other school leaders in the pursuit of providing all children with an excellent education. Finally, technology is a part of daily instruction and contribute to the application-based approach to learning. Given the world that we share, we believe that technology proficiency and judgment is critical, and that enables students to explore and propel their learning forward. |
CEO/Executive Director
Kapil Mathur
CEO/Executive Director Experience
Mr. Mathur holds his MBA from UCLA Anderson and undergraduate degrees in Biology & Chemistry from Chapman University. He is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Education with a specialization in Charter School Administration. He is on the Member Council of the California Charter Schools Association representing all Orange County charter schools. Additionally, he serves on the Executive Committee of the El Dorado Charter SELPA to support the needs of Students with Disabilities. Mr. Mathur is the founder of OCASA and the creator of our educational program. Prior to OCASA, Mr. Mathur provided free tutoring to hundreds of disadvantaged youth across several districts in Southern California through the No Child Left Behind program.
Staff Information
| Number of Full-Time Staff | 50 |
|---|---|
| Number of Part-Time Staff | 1 |
| Number of Volunteers | 105 |
| Number of Contract Staff | 39 |
Staff Demographics - Ethnicity
| African American/Black | 2 |
|---|---|
| Asian American/Pacific Islander | 5 |
| Caucasian | 29 |
| Hispanic/Latino | 8 |
| Native American/American Indian | 0 |
| Other (Please Specify) | |
| Other |
Staff Demographics - Gender
| Female | 40 |
|---|---|
| Male | 11 |
| Not Specified |
Awards
| Award | Awarding Organization | Year |
|---|
Board Chair
| First Name | Last Name | Company Affiliation | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John | Alpay | California Charter Schools Association | August 1, 2023 | August 1, 2025 |
Board Members
| Name | Company Affiliation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Lena Ved | Pacific Alliance Capital | Board Member |
| Lia Berman | Parent | Board Secretary |
| Ryan McDonnell | Catch Co & Parent | Vice Chair |
| Dr. Alice Pak | LA County Office of Education | Board Member |
| Skyler Daviss | California Charter Schools Association | Board Member |
Board Demographics - Ethnicity
| African American/Black | 1 |
|---|---|
| Asian American/Pacific Islander | 1 |
| Caucasian | 4 |
| Hispanic/Latino | 0 |
| Native American/American Indian | 0 |
| Other (Please Specify) | 0 |
| Other |
Board Demographics - Gender
| Female | 4 |
|---|---|
| Male | 2 |
| Not Specified | 0 |
Board Stats
| Number of times full board meets in a year | 6 |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Board Members Making Monetary Contributions | 100% |
Current Fiscal Year
| Fiscal Year Start Date | July 1, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Fiscal Year End Date | June 30, 2025 |
| Projected Revenue | $5,797,672 |
| Projected Expense | $6,873,284 |
Revenue vs. Expense ($)
Expense Breakdown: 2023 (%)
Expense Breakdown: 2022 (%)
Expense Breakdown: 2021 (%)
990 Tax Form - Newest 990 Year opens each July
| Tax Year 2023 Form 990 (Fiscal Year ending in 2023) | Download |
|---|---|
| Tax Year 2022 Form 990 (Fiscal Year ending in 2022) | Download |
| Tax Year 2021 Form 990 (Fiscal Year ending in 2021) | Download |
| Tax Year 2020 Form 990 (Fiscal Year ending in 2020) | Download |
Prior Three Years Total Revenue and Expense Totals
| Fiscal Year | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $7,500,238 | $5,326,045 | $5,501,534 |
| Total Expenses | $5,603,793 | $5,997,597 | $5,018,060 |
Prior Three Years Revenue Sources
| Fiscal Year | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation and Corporation Contributions | $58,918 | $48,364 | $7,500 |
| Government Contributions | $7,157,707 | $5,018,770 | $5,444,134 |
| Federal | -- | -- | -- |
| State | -- | -- | -- |
| Local | -- | -- | -- |
| Unspecified | -- | -- | -- |
| Individual Contributions | -- | -- | -- |
| Indirect Public Support | -- | -- | -- |
| Earned Revenue | $178,486 | $104,831 | $16,771 |
| Investment Income, Net of Losses | $16,312 | $1,861 | $2,078 |
| Membership Dues | -- | -- | -- |
| Special Events | $2,560 | $855 | $912 |
| Revenue In-Kind | -- | -- | -- |
| Other Revenue | $86,255 | $151,364 | $30,139 |
Prior Three Years Expense Allocations by Type
| Fiscal Year | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program Expense | $4,871,562 | $5,369,772 | $4,486,309 |
| Administration Expense | $732,231 | $598,200 | $531,751 |
| Fundraising Expense | $0 | $29,625 | $0 |
| Payments to Affiliates | -- | -- | -- |
| Total Revenue/Total Expenses | 1.34 | 0.89 | 1.1 |
| Program Expense/Total Expenses | 87% | 90% | 89% |
| Fundraising Expense/Total Revenue | 0% | 1% | 0% |
Prior Three Years Assets and Liabilities
| Fiscal Year | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,677,625 | $1,351,052 | $1,438,723 |
| Current Assets | $3,656,439 | $1,317,154 | $1,438,723 |
| Long-Term Liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Current Liabilities | $1,035,136 | $580,006 | $321,131 |
| Total Net Assets | $2,092,493 | $196,048 | $867,600 |
Short Term Solvency
| Fiscal Year | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Assets/Current Liabilities | 3.53 | 2.27 | 4.48 |
Long Term Solvency
| Fiscal Year | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long-Term Liabilities/Total Assets | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Endowment/Capital Campaigns
| Endowment Value | |
|---|---|
| Spending Policy | |
| Percentage | |
| Are you currently in a Capital Campaign? | No |
| Capital Campaign Purpose | |
| Campaign Goal | |
| Capital Campaign Start Date | |
| Capital Campaign End Date | |
| Capital Campaign Raised-to-Date Amount |
Legal
| Year of Incorporation | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|
| EIN | 47-5316171 | |
| California State Charity Registration Number* | Exempt | |
| Organization's type of tax exempt status | 501(c)(3) | |
| IRS Letter of Determination | Download | Download |
| Legal Name | Orange County Academy of Sciences and Arts, Inc. | |
| Year Founded | 2015 | |
| Organization DBA | ||
| Former Names | ||
| Status of IRS required filings including 990s | Current | |
| Status of CA required filings including form RRF-1 | Current | |
| Date form RRF-1 filed | August 1, 2024 |
Contact
| Fax Number | 949-239-3290 |
|---|---|
| Other Website | |
| https://www.facebook.com/ocasacharter | |
| https://twitter.com/ocasacharter |
Our Story
The Orange County Academy of Sciences and Arts (OCASA) is a joy-filled, student-centered, collaborative community that inspires growth through a personalized learning experience. Founded in 2015, OCASA operates two small, innovative tuition-free public charter schools
Contact
Orange County Academy of Sciences and Arts
28282 Cabot Rd. Suite 300
Laguna Niguel, California 92677
Kapil Mathur
kcmathur@ocasa.org
Phone: 949-269-3291
https://www.ocasa.org/
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