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Oklahoma Youth Academy Charter School

MISSION STATEMENT

The Oklahoma Youth Academy Charter School (OYACS) exists to serve the unique academic, physical, social and emotional needs of students who are in critical periods of their lives. The School’s mission statement is as follows:

Our mission is to provide an individualized education, which encompasses academic, social, emotional, and employment skills for highly challenged youth in a non-traditional setting. This will be accomplished by encouraging self-worth and determination in a supportive atmosphere with dedicated teachers and staff that will assist youth toward realizing their true potential.

OYACS faculty and staff have joined this ground-breaking project because they believe education can greatly improve the lives of Oklahoma’s most at-risk youth. Although time-tested instructional methods that have proven effective will be retained and utilized in the classroom, OYACS faculty will eagerly embrace creative and innovative techniques for improving learning for OJA’s unique population of students.

Now Hiring Teachers

Are you ready to change the life of an Oklahoma at-risk youth?  Experience the difference by being a difference.  The Office of Juvenile Affairs/Oklahoma Youth Academy Charter School is looking for qualified teachers that can:

  • Provide students with one-on-one teaching and mentoring time.
  • Provide education, support, and training to help students prepare for advancement to the next level and for life following graduation.
  • Working with other educators to develop individualized learning plans (IEP) for special needs students.

Job specifications:

  • Help prepare all OYACS students to be successful and thriving citizens as they return to their communities.
  • Value diversity.
  • Teach leadership and values.

Send your cover letter and resume to Leticia Sanchez

Title 10A. Children and Juvenile Code§2-7-616. Board of Juvenile Affairs - Charter school

Universal Citation: 10A O.S. § 2-7-616 (2014)

A. For the purposes of establishing and operating a charter school, pursuant to the provisions of Section 3-130 et seq. of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes, the Board of Juvenile Affairs may serve as the governing body of the charter school and may take any action necessary to serve in such capacity and in accordance with rules of the State Board of Education. The Board of Juvenile Affairs may promulgate rules as necessary for the establishment and operation of such charter school and shall establish policies and provide oversight for any such charter school.

B. The Executive Director of the Office of Juvenile Affairs shall provide for the administration and operation of any charter school established and operated by the Office of Juvenile Affairs.

C. The Executive Director of the Office of Juvenile Affairs may employ instructional and administrative personnel necessary for the operation of a charter school and may contract with such personnel for the terms and conditions of their employment or for the services provided. Instructional and administrative personnel employed by the Office of Juvenile Affairs shall be in the unclassified service. Such personnel shall be eligible for membership or participation in the Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma.

Added by Laws 2014, c. 201, § 1, emerg. eff. April 29, 2014.

Oklahoma Cost Accounting System (OCAS) School District Financial Information

On June 6th, 2010 Senate Bill 1633, otherwise known as the "School District Transparency Act" was signed into law. This law, effective November 1, 2010, requires that the Oklahoma State Department of Education make available certain information on its website as pertaining to Oklahoma Public School Districts' expenditures, cost descriptions, amounts of funds spent, types of transactions, copies of credit card statements, and current per pupil expenditure figures. The database does not include voluntary payroll deductions for employees to receiving parties.

OCAS Reporting

Per-Pupil Spending

Oklahoma HB 1046 requires Oklahoma school districts to publish their financial audits online.

OYACS most recent audits are linked below: 

2023 Audit 

2022 Audit

2021 Audit

Oklahoma Youth Academy Charter School Policies

2019 OYACS Asbestos Inspection 

Under the AHERA schools rule, each local education agency (LEA, which means a school district or private school) must take the following asbestos-related actions:

  1. Designate and train a person to oversee asbestos-related activities in the school system.
  2. Inspect every school building for "friable" and "nonfriable" asbestos-containing building materials.
  3. Prepare a management plan for managing asbestos and controlling exposure in each school.
  4. Consult with accredited inspection and management professionals to identify and carry out whatever asbestos actions are necessary and appropriate to protect health and the enviroment.  These actions or methods must be documented in the management plan.
  5. Notify the public about the asbestos inspection and the availability of the asbestos management plan for review.
  6. Use only properly accredited persons to conduct inspections, to develop the asbestos management plan, and to carry out the appropriate response actions.
  7. Keep records of all asbestos related activities in the plan and make them available for puclic review.

Report Corruption, Fraud, Waste, Abuse, Mismanagement or Misconduct
Hotline

For more information, click here to visit the Oklahoma State Department of Health. 

To complete an exemption form, click here.

 

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects individuals from discrimination based on sex in educational programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. Title IX states that: No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

The full Title IX Policy can be found here.

Title IX Coordinator:  Valerie Cochell - Valerie.Cochell@oja.ok.gov

See Grievance Resolution Form here.

Please be sure to complete the Step 1. Informal section of the form, along with all other sections and sign / date at the bottom. Return the completed form to  Valerie.Cochell@oja.ok.gov.

Bullying, Harassment, Secret Societies and Hazing

The Office of Juvenile Affairs Board of Directors, Administration and Faculty will not tolerate bullying, harassment, secret societies, gangs or hazing in any manner or form.  The Office of Juvenile Affairs Board of Directors will not recognize or sanction secret societies formed wholly or in part from the membership of students attending OYACS.  This policy is in effect while any student is under the supervision of school authorities.  Violations of this policy may result in disciplining action, including dismissal from school.

 In the Oklahoma Youth Academy Charter School, the teacher shall practice such discipline as would be exercised by a kind and judicious parent/guardian. When other efforts fail, teachers may report the case to the principal who will administer a discipline suitable for the offense. Discipline is designed to help the student refrain from repeating misbehavior.  A written report shall be made for each student receiving administrative discipline. The report will describe the offense and the disciplinary action taken.  One copy of the report will be placed on file and one copy will be sent to the student advocate.

COVID-19 Releated Information

2024 Return to Learn Plan

Oklahoma Youth Academy Transition Plan

2024 Use of Funds

Oklahoma Youth Academy Charter School (OYACS) Education Director

Melissa White, M. ED.

Oklahoma Youth Academy Charter School is under the leadership of Melissa White. Mrs. White came to the Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) as the Director of Education/Superintendent of OYACS on December 28, 2015.  Prior to this position, she worked at the Oklahoma State Department of Education, where she was the Executive Director of Counseling/ACE.  From 2006-2011 she served as an elementary school counselor for Mustang Public Schools.  While at Mustang, she also served as the Chair of the Response to Invention (RTI) team and the Administrator of Special Education for her building.  From 2002-2006, Mrs. White served as a therapist for Youth Habilitation Center which is a Level E group home for adjudicated youth.  While at Youth Habilitation Center she worked with the administration to open Southern Plains Treatment Center.  Southern Plains Treatment Center is an acute residential inpatient facility for children in Oklahoma.

For many years, Mrs. White has worked as a child, youth and family therapist and as a supervisor of inpatient services. She has served on several boards and councils, including the Oklahoma Workforce Committee, Court Improvement Program, Oklahoma School Counselor Association, Oklahoma Counselor Association, CareerTech’s CRC Committee, and Child Abuse Training and Coordination. She was awarded Teacher of the Year in 2010-2011. Mrs. White also received the Employee of the Quarter award from the Oklahoma State Department of Education in 2012.

Mrs. White attended Oklahoma State University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology in 2001 and then attended the University of Oklahoma where she earned a master’s degree in community counseling in 2004. She is currently working towards earning her doctor of education from the University of Oklahoma. She has been a licensed professional counselor since 2006.

CENTRAL OKLAHOMA JUVENILE CENTER
Principal - Leticia Sanchez
700 S. 9th
Tecumseh, OK 74873
Phone: (405) 598-4105

BOARD OF EDUCATION
Our board of education is made up of the following members appointed by Governor Kevin Stitt and Oklahoma State Legislature.

Meet our Board

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Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs
M.C. Connors Building 
2501 N. Lincoln Blvd., Ste. 500
Oklahoma City, OK 73105


Mailing Address:
PO Box 268812
Oklahoma City,  OK 73126

Throughout the state of Oklahoma, the Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) provides with its community partners; prevention, educational and treatment services, as well as secure facilities for juveniles in order to promote public safety and reduce juvenile delinquency.