Programs

Academics & Programs

A Holistic Curriculum

Our curriculum aligns with the Council of Independent Black Institutions, Oakland USD standards, and the State of California Framework — enriched with performing arts, technology, and cultural studies.

Teaching the Children

With the Sankofa bird as our metaphor, we bring the most relevant pedagogical models while continuing in the best practices of African people. Our cognitive approach focuses on creative thinking and problem solving through hands-on, student-directed activities.

The binding threads that run through the entire curriculum are: Praise to our Creator, Honor and respect for our elders and ancestors, Knowledge and love of who we are, and finally, restoration of our people to our traditional greatness.

Language Arts Mathematics Science Social Science Art Music & Dance Physical Education Health Community Awareness Social Skills Spiritual Development

Preschool

Founded in 1986, our Mama Jasiri Preschool offers a safe, supportive early childhood environment with an 18-student capacity and 1:7 teacher-student ratio.

Elementary (K–5)

Small classes averaging 12 students with dedicated teachers. Students begin working one grade level ahead in math.

Middle School (6–8)

Subject-specialized instruction with 10-12 students per class. Advanced math, humanities, science, social studies, and electives including journalism and critical thinking.

Computer Technology at Our Core

Our director, Baba Jahi Awakoaiye, spent ten years at Intel Corporation where he held design responsibilities for the Pentium processor and earned an M.S. in Computer Engineering from Santa Clara University. He later earned tenure as Department Chairperson of Computer Systems at Laney College. This expertise drives our technology program, which embeds programming instruction into the foundational curriculum.

Elementary (Grades 3–5)

Foundational skills including device care, keyboarding, email management, and office applications. Every student from 3rd grade receives their own laptop through our 1:1 mobile computing program.

Middle School

Three-year exploration of four key areas:

Graphic Design — Adobe tools and visual communication
3D Modeling & Gaming — Kodu Game Lab, Alice, and multimedia
Computer Programming — Scratch, Java, and web development
Advanced Office Applications — Spreadsheets, presentations, and digital literacy

Technology partnerships include Hidden Genius Project and Glover Center.

Summer Tech & Math Camp

Intensive sessions combining technology and mathematics for students looking to get ahead. Courses include Pre-Algebra, Algebra, and Geometry. Tuition is $200 (full day) or $125 (half day). Extended care options available.

Performing Arts

All students receive classical instrument instruction. Our West African drum corps and dance troupe performs throughout the Bay Area. The performing arts program is central to helping every student find their voice and express themselves through multiple creative forms.

Huey P. Newton Oratorical Festival

Begun in 2016, this annual festival showcases the talents of Ile Omode students in spoken word, singing, dramatic interpretation, original poetry, and more. Created to help every student find their voice, the festival is an extension of our literary and performing arts program.

African Dance West African Drums Jazz Band Classical Instruments Capoeira Boot Dance Spoken Word Singing

Watch All 48 Performances

Our students research, write, and deliver speeches honoring the words and legacy of African and African American leaders. View the full playlist on YouTube →

Support the Oratorical Festival

Help fund the annual Huey P. Newton Oratorical Festival and give students a platform to find their voice.

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College & Historical Tours

Middle school students visit the nation's capital and Atlanta/Alabama area in their three years in middle school. The trips are designed to provide young students with an early exposure to college, visit historical landmarks, have fun, learn to plan and organize, and further build friendships.

The Colleges

The colleges may vary slightly across each tour, but there are always some mainstays to our trip.

Washington, DC: We always visit Howard University in Washington, DC. We have also visited Georgetown University, and the University of the District of Columbia. In previous years we visited Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland, and in 2016 we took our first trip to Virginia, where we toured Hampton University and Norfolk State University.

Atlanta/Alabama: The Atlanta college tour includes Morehouse College, Spelman College, and Clark-Atlanta University. We have also visited Georgia State University and Georgia Tech University in Atlanta; as well as Alabama State University and Tuskegee University in Alabama.

A Trip Every Student Can Afford

With one exception, each trip has cost less than $800 per student, and this cost includes airfare, vehicle rentals, hotel accommodation, food, and entry into any venues — everything except spending money for souvenirs. Comparable trips run at least $3,000. Although in more recent years, the cost has climbed towards $1,200.

While many parents are able to pay for the trip over several installments throughout the year, the school also offers a chocolate candy fundraiser for families who would like their children to help with paying for the cost or who simply can not afford the trip.

Sample Payment Schedule

Parents should budget approximately $1,200 for the trip. A typical payment schedule:

$150 — November
$200 — December
$200 — January
$200 — February
$450 — March (final payment)

Requirements: Good academic standing, no school infractions, and families in good financial standing. Chaperones pay approximately $700.

Over the years, a number of children have raised over $1,000 for their trip. The chocolate fundraiser is optional, and students have taken different approaches to raising funds. Students have begun GoFundMe campaigns, and one student sold baked goods weekly at school.

We want to do everything possible to ensure every student has an opportunity to participate.

Why Do We Go?

Because it’s fun. Because college should be the definitive goal of every child, and the best way to accomplish this goal is to allow students to experience college.

Since the first trip the vast majority of students have attended college, and even more have attended HBCUs including Howard University, Grambling University, Prairie-View University, and Clark-Atlanta University.

Tour History

2019 — A Trip to the South African Embassy: Our first trip to an embassy — we had a wonderful visit at the South African Embassy, along with tours to several colleges. For the first time we visited Coppin State University, and had just our second trip to Morgan State University.

2017 — Now That Was a Semiformal: Probably the best semiformal ever! We were able to book a restaurant/club, and we had the entire venue to ourselves. And a DJ! We visited Morris Brown for the first time, and met with the president, where we provided a $500 donation to assist the school in its efforts to regain certification. This was also our first time visiting Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

2016 — First Trip to Virginia: In two previous DC trips the school never ventured south of Washington, DC. This time however, we toured both Hampton University and Norfolk State University for the first times. We also had 3 Ile Omode alums attending Howard University, and received our own personal tour.

2014 — Most Students Ever: At the time, 2014 was the most students who had ever attended an Ile Omode college tour — 20 students in all! We also visited the most colleges ever — touring the grounds of 7 colleges in Georgia and Alabama.

2013 — Our Second DC Trip: The trip coincided with DC’s “Emancipation Day,” a local celebration to observe Abraham Lincoln’s signing of the Compensated Emancipation Act, and also a time to push for DC statehood.

2010 — First Atlanta Trip: The school’s first trip to the south, and it was great. Our students saw the three historic schools which comprise the Atlanta University Center — Morehouse College, Spelman College, and Clark-Atlanta University.

2009 — First College Tour: Our school’s first ever college tour. The first trip included only 9 students. Five were later accepted to Howard University, and two attended.

Athletics

Ile Omode's basketball team competes in the Oakland Unified School District. The school has fielded separate boys and girls elementary and middle school teams.

Physical Fitness

Local partnerships support student wellness and competitive sports. Students have achieved national rankings in track and field.

Basketball (OUSD League)
Track & Field
Capoeira
Martial Arts
African Dance

Black History Bowl

Ile Omode has won three consecutive championships across elementary, middle, and high school categories.

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