About O.P.E.

OLIVENHAIN PIONEER ELEMENTARY (OPE) is a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and a California Distinguished School.  Founded in 1994, OPE was named for the 40 pioneer families that settled the community of Olivenhain in the late 1800’s.  Their “pioneer spirit of exploration, discovery, and responsibility to community” is infused throughout all activities at our school. 

OPE serves 676 children in kindergarten through 6th grade in the Encinitas Union School District, which is located in the beautiful north coastal region of San Diego County.  Our exceptional, nurturing faculty and staff, small class sizes in grades K-3 (20 students maximum per class), state-of-the-art technology, K-6 music and art programs, powerful service-learning projects, impressive parent involvement, extensive library collection, and beautiful campus, create an optimal learning environment that results in high academic achievement.

Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary School’s API scores rank in the top 1% in the county and state. OPE students bring a rich variety of religious and cultural backgrounds to our school community.  Our English Language Learners, who constitute 1% of our population, hail from places around the world, including: Europe, Asia, India, the Middle East, Mexico and Latin America.

Providing a well-rounded, rigorous education, in a safe and nurturing environment, is a high priority for OPE families.  Ninety percent of our parents hold college degrees, and more than half have attended graduate school as well.  An average of 425 volunteer hours per week support the high quality instructional program offered at OPE.  Parents provide leadership through our PTA, School Site Council, and Encinitas Educational Foundation (EEF at OPE).  Parents also enhance the learning experiences of their children as: Classroom volunteers, Junior Achievement instructors, Essence of Art docents, Everyone A Reader volunteers, Extreme Lunch volunteers, Fundraisers, Noon Duty Supervisors, library volunteers, and field trip chaperones.  Parents organize many special events and programs to enhance learning, including:  OPE Reads (a school-wide reading incentive program), Community Read-In, Family Science Nights, Open Studio Art Day, PTA Reflections, Book Fairs, Red Ribbon Week, Ice Cream Social, Grandparents’ Day, parent-child Sweetheart Dance, Family Variety Show, Aloha Dance, Restaurant Nights, Yearbook, service learning projects, Math 24, Friday Fun (Service Learning projects), and 6th Grade Promotion.

  OPE helps students develop values, character, and leadership skills through many service learning experiences that benefit our school, local community and people around the world.   OPE students make a difference locally and globally through programs such as Character Counts, “Paws” to Read, Classroom Buddies, OPE Poppin’ for the World, “Helping Hounds,” Third Grade Recycling Project, Peace Patrol; food, clothing, & toiletries drives for pantries and shelters for women and children; and through large, philanthropic fundraising campaigns like our “Kids Helping Kids” UNICEF campaign which raised over $30,000 last year to help provide health care, food, and education to children in developing nations and assist the victims of the Tsunami in Dec. 2004 and our American Red Cross campaign this fall that raised nearly $32,000 for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.  Exemplary citizenship is recognized through student awards at monthly assemblies. 

  The academic program at OPE is aligned with district and state standards at each grade and in each subject area.  The knowledgeable teachers at OPE are a driving force behind curriculum development and instruction.  Teachers use state-approved, standards-based instructional materials and assessments, supplemented by innovative curriculum. Shared decision-making, team teaching, and regular professional development support sustained professional growth among faculty. 

  OPE is attentive to the unique needs of our students.  Every student is recognized individually each year as a Student Standout.  Kindergarten through third grade students are recognized at assemblies and awarded a certificate.  Fourth through sixth graders are recognized in their classrooms.  Our many gifted students are challenged and supported in their classrooms through differentiating instruction.  Support services are available to help struggling learners, including Intervention classes, individualized reading and math support, and English Language Development for English Language Learners.  A full range of Special Education services (including Speech & Language, Learning Center, and Occupational Therapy) is available to eligible students.  Extra-curricular activities such as Spanish, chess, Math 24, and Extreme Lunch are offered during lunch.  Other extra-curricular activities (dance, art, Mad Science, Spanish, gymnastics, music, etc.) and before-and-after school child care are available on a fee basis.  A district-wide instrumental music program is available to our students as well. OPE is a school that is truly “united as a team to forge a dynamic course that sets the trend for education in the future” for our “PIONEERS OF TODAY, LEADERS OF TOMORROW.”

  OUR PRINCIPAL - Erin English
 

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