OCRS mini-classes earn a 'Thumbs Up' from students

Here’s Another great way we keep ADD/ADHD teens excited about learning!

Mini-classes give OCRS students the opportunity to explore and discover new interests in a unique 45 minute format. These courses incorporate lively discussions, practical ‘hands on’ experience, individual effort and the all important team work!

Ideas for the second semester classes were informally submitted by the OCRS student body last semester and then cultivated by our exceptionally talented group of teachers.  Listed below is their crowd-pleasing line-up:

NEW AND NOTABLE
Talks with Ted’ – Taught by Mr. Hansen. This is a discussion class based on the Ted Turner Talks, an online symposium of innovators and thinkers that showcases their ideas through short videos. See how researchers, entrepreneurs and even high school students are making a difference in our world. The class will review and discuss the various topics, focusing on the opportunities available for ‘out of the box thinkers.’ Discussion and exercises will demonstrate to students with ADD/ADHD how they can harness their creativity and put it to good use.

Check out this example video: Three young women sweep the top prizes of the first Google Science Fair.  Award-winning teen-age science in action
 
Excerpt from video (link above): "In 2011 three young women swept the top prizes of the first Google Science Fair. At 'TEDxWomen' Lauren Hodge, Shree Bose and Naomi Shah described their extraordinary projects and their route to a passion for science.  Why you should listen to her: Lauren Hodge has been competing in science fair projects since she was seven years old. For her latest project, she investigated the formation of carcinogens in different methods of preparing chicken -- and found a surprising result. That work won first prize in the Google Science fair age 13-14 category."

‘Exploring Everything Solar’ - Offered by Mr. Riffel.  This class will explore the uses and benefits of solar energy, introducing the class to the science behind the projects.

‘Language of Java’ – taught by Mr. O’Brien. Java is a computer programming language that enables programmers to write computer instructions with English based commands. With over 6.5 million developers worldwide, Java remains a very popular programming language. Both Google and Android, Inc. have chosen to use Java as a key pillar in the creation of the Android operating system, an open-source smartphone operating system. Students in this class will learn the fundamentals of Java programming and apply their knowledge to create Java applets (programs embedded in other applications) and increasing complex programming assignments.

‘Lessons learned from our Animal Society’– Dr.Yassi’s students will study how animals interact within their own species. The course will examine what we have learned about human interaction and relationships through studying animal behavior.

‘The Best Kind of Drama’ -  Mrs. Foutz’s students will learn the fundamentals of acting, including character analysis, voice, body movement, emotional expression and memorization. Students will be introduced to different forms of theater as well as the basics of set, costume and lighting design. The class will perform several plays throughout the semester for the entire school to enjoy.  

‘Chic Lit’ – Taught by Ms. Devine, the class will read selected literature by women authors who write about important issues facing women today and throughout history.  From Charlotte Bronte to Maya Angelou, this class will explore the role women authors play in influencing and shaping society. 

‘Mastering the Guitar’ with Mr. Shieve – This course is designed for students at all levels, from the beginner to the advanced musician.  Students will be introduced to a variety of musical styles, learning about chords, chord progression, scales, picking techniques, improvisation and composition. Students will work individually with Mr. Shieve, and lessons will be created based upon their current aptitude and goals.

‘The Art of Chess’ taught by Mr. Galley will introduce students to the fundamentals of chess. Students will practice their skills against one another and then travel to Phoenix to compete in the regional chess competition.  This class has been quite popular for the last two years and each spring OCRS students demonstrate their skills by holding a human chess game on campus. The academic purpose of the course is to develop the higher order thinking skills of logic and reasoning. The OCRS Human Chess Game is now becoming its signature event.

‘Marketing Essentials’ taught by Mr. Hernandez. Students with learn the principles of marketing and apply them to create products that will be sold to the OCRS community.  Students will work together to design a product, develop a sound marketing plan, advertise the product and sell it profitably. Net proceeds will be donated to a local charity.

‘Power up your Reading’ offered by Mrs. Miller.  This course is designed for students who enjoy reading and want to improve their reading skills for college. Students will be exposed to challenging reading material designed to improve vocabulary, comprehension and speed with emphasis on ‘scanning skills.’ 


Oak Creek Ranch School is an co-ed boarding school for teens, ages 13-19 (grades 7-12). For 40 years OCRS has specialized in helping ADD, ADHD, and undermotivated boys and girls become successful students. The Arizona Boarding School is located near Sedona, Arizona, 100 miles north of Phoenix. For more information please visit us online at http://www.ocrs.com

Girls Basketball Team Impressive in First Game

Last week the Oak Creek Ranch School girls basketball team traveled to Cottonwood to play a tough American Heritage High School team.  American Heritage’s eighteen girls were anticipating an easy victory over Oak Creek’s six girl roster but quickly realized they had a real fight on their hands.

Although American Heritage led the game most of the way they could never put the Cats away.  At the half the lady Wildcats trailed by six points but in the last five minutes of the game they rallied.  Kaitlin M. started making three point shots from all over the court and scored 12 points in four minutes as the Wildcats pulled within two points with 30 seconds left in the game.  Kaitlin was fouled in the act of shooting a three pointer and went to the foul line for three free throws.  She made two of the three, and with the boys team on their feet cheering for her, Kaitlin had tied the score at 27-27.  The girls went on defense for the last 20 seconds of the game and swarmed the American Heritage team denying them a scoring opportunity.  The game ended in a tie with the American Heritage team and fans staring in disbelief and the Oak Creek team celebrating.  If there ever was a moral victory, this was it.

Coach Amber was excited and proud of her team.  “They have only been playing together for five practices and some of our girls have never played basketball before!”  Outstanding teamwork, gritty defense and great clutch shooting by Kaitlin all contributed to a great performance.  The coach cited Megan M. for ball control and hustle, Jenn A. for her ball handling, Leah K. and Tori W. for their defense and Catrina G. for controlling the boards with her rebounding.

Athletic Director, George Ireland, stated after the game that “This was a wonderful way to start the season and lay the foundation for a very successful year”. 

Go Wildcats!

Oak Creek Ranch School is an co-ed boarding school for teens, ages 13-19 (grades 7-12). For 40 years OCRS has specialized in helping ADD, ADHD, and undermotivated boys and girls become successful students. The Arizona Boarding School is located near Sedona, Arizona, 100 miles north of Phoenix. For more information please visit us online at http://www.ocrs.com

Wildcats Win League Championship

The Oak Creek Ranch School football Wildcats completed their third consecutive undefeated season with a 27-14 victory in the championship game on their home field over American Heritage High School.  With quarterback Kaden M. throwing for four touchdowns and leading the team in rushing, the Wildcats jumped out to a 27-0 lead.  The offensive line dominated the AHA defense for most of the game.  Dillon T., Zach R., Jose W. and Greg G. did a good job of protecting the quarterback and opening gaping holes in the AHA defensive line.  Jacob L. and Evan H. each caught two touchdown passes and Michael I. scored on the extra point plays to put away AHA early.

On the defensive side of the ball, Dominic G. led the team in tackles during the game as well as during the entire season.  The AHA offense did not score until late when the outcome of the game was no longer in doubt.  Other team members who contributed on defense all year long were Jose W., Yegor C., John D., Hayden T., Quinton J., Christian A., Mason K., Dustin B., and “Flappy” C.

The team completed a season in which they dominated the competition in every game. Coach Galley commented that “This group stayed free from outside distractions and really focused on improving as a team”.  The team also made an impression on opposing players and coaches. “They were complimented all season long not just for their play on the field but for the class that they exhibited on and off it” said Coach Riffel. 

Good sportsmanship, excellent teamwork and great play made this a truly special season for the OCRS Wildcat football team.


Oak Creek Ranch School is an co-ed boarding school for teens, ages 13-19 (grades 7-12). For 40 years OCRS has specialized in helping ADD, ADHD, and undermotivated boys and girls become successful students. The Arizona Boarding School is located near Sedona, Arizona, 100 miles north of Phoenix. For more information please visit us online at http://www.ocrs.com

OCRS Volleyball Wins Again!

The Oak Creek Ranch School girls volleyball team concluded their 2011 season with a hard fought victory on their home court over a good Prescott Valley School team.  The Wildcats defeated the Lady Lions 2-0 in their first match and 2-1 in the final match of the season. 

The wins improved the Wildcats record to 8 wins and 8 losses and capped a very successful season that saw the girls win five of their last six matches.  After a slow start early in the season the Wildcats defeated Spring Ridge Academy 3-1 at Spring Ridge and then again 3-0 at home.  After upsetting the favored South Verde High School 3-2, Oak Creek traveled to Young High School to take on a team that they had defeated earlier in the year.  The trip proved to be difficult as the girls lost to the Panthers by a score of 3-1.  But the final two wins proved that this team could put the loss behind them and play well.

Every girl on the team contributed to the successful season.  Their teamwork, sportsmanship and effort were acknowledged by their coaches, Amber and Kim.  “We are very proud of their improvement.  They learned to play together as a team and had fun.” 

The team included Sydney C, Kaitlin M, Leah K, Avalon W, Taylor W, Catarina G, Diannah J, Stacey S, and Haley M.

They were congratulated after the matches by the Oak Creek Athletic Director, George Ireland. “It was so much fun to watch these girls as they jelled and became a cohesive unit, playing as a team, calling out their shots, and winning.  It was a great year for OCRS Wildcat Volleyball!”

Oak Creek Ranch School is an co-ed boarding school for teens, ages 13-19 (grades 7-12). For 40 years OCRS has specialized in helping ADD, ADHD, and undermotivated boys and girls become successful students. The Arizona Boarding School is located near Sedona, Arizona, 100 miles north of Phoenix. For more information please visit us online at http://www.ocrs.com

One Win Away From Conference Championships!

The team started out not even as a team, but rather as an idea. It was within this idea that a running club was sponsored by Mr. Hansen, and from that club a team that wanted to run … that wanted to win.

“There interest was there,” Coach Hansen says. “But the history here is that cross country always fizzles out by the end of the first week. Not this year. No, for some reason these student athletes are motivated.”

Oak Creek Ranch School has used that motivation to push themselves into first place at four consecutive meets. The last two meets, Northpoint Leadership Academy and Southwestern Academy respectively, have been tough runs, according to the team, but they’re continuing to place consistently strong in the top ten. Dominique G. took first and fourth in the last two meets, whereas Yegor C. took fourth and fifth. Zack B. took third and sixth with Jack B. placing fourth and seventh, respectively. For females, Kaitlin M. has proven to be a contender, always placing within the top five.

Cross Country is relatively new to OCRS, but it can be assumed that long gone are the days of the “five- day fizzle.” The last race is Tuesday, November 3rd at Spring Ridge Academy, the last stop in a long road of early mornings of gravel road runs, ins and outs, fartleks, and uphill sprints. A week away and the excitement is a pre-cursor to the runners’ high OCRS runners will all achieve after their 2.5 conference championship race.

Oak Creek Ranch School is an co-ed boarding school for teens, ages 13-19 (grades 7-12). For 40 years OCRS has specialized in helping ADD, ADHD, and undermotivated boys and girls become successful students. The Arizona Boarding School is located near Sedona, Arizona, 100 miles north of Phoenix. For more information please visit us online at http://www.ocrs.com

Oak Creek Cross Country Dominates!

Monday, October 1st, Oak Creek Wildcat Cross Country Runners traveled to Tri-City College Prep in Prescott to compete in the rival school’s inaugural meet. As the team anxiously awaited the starting gun to fire they warmed up and strategized how to run the 2.5 mile course.

“Run your race,” Coach Hansen told each and every one of the runners. “Run your race, but don’t cross that finish line with anything left. If you aren’t completely burned out, you’ll regret it later. Run your race.”

The team lined up along the arc having warmed themselves with light jogs and a varied series of stretches. To their right and left were teams from Southwestern Academy, Northpoint, Spring Ridge, and Tri-City Prep, the host team.

“On your mark!” the starting official yelled. Runners toed the line.
“Get set!” The Wildcats leaned in to position.

A blast of an air horn sounded and 36 runners took to the field over rolling hills and around a basin blanketed with a choking 90 degree temperature. Eighteen minutes later, runners could be seen climbing the last hill. They were making their final approach quickly, though tired and drenched with perspiration.

In the end, Zachary B. finish 3rd with a time of 19:19, followed by Dominic G. in fifth with a time of 19:43. The Wildcats earned most of the remaining top 10 positions with John D., Yegor C., and Jack B. coming in 6th, 7th, and 9th, respectively.

For Oak Creek’s first meet, there wasn’t anyone who could be prouder. The problem is defining who that anyone is; the team, Coach Hansen, Athletic Director Ireland, or the entire school of Oak Creek.

Oak Creek Ranch School is an co-ed boarding school for teens, ages 13-19 (grades 7-12). For 40 years OCRS has specialized in helping ADD, ADHD, and undermotivated boys and girls become successful students. The Arizona Boarding School is located near Sedona, Arizona, 100 miles north of Phoenix. For more information please visit us online at http://www.ocrs.com

Football Team Rolls On

During the past three years the Oak Creek Ranch School Flag Football Team has established itself as the dominant team in their conference.  The Wildcats have a 25 game winning streak and two consecutive league championships.  It appears that the 2011 edition will continue the tradition!

On Friday, September 23, the Cats traveled to American Heritage Academy in Cottonwood for the first game of the year.  Behind the outstanding play of Josh G. and Kaden M., the Wildcats posted an easy 34-6 victory. 

The win served as an important warm up for upcoming games with league rivals Verde Valley School of Sedona and Northpoint Academy of Prescott.  Tougher opponents lie ahead and it will be important that the entire team continue to play well if the winning streak is to continue.

Go Wildcats!

Oak Creek Ranch School is an co-ed boarding school for teens, ages 13-19 (grades 7-12). For 40 years OCRS has specialized in helping ADD, ADHD, and undermotivated boys and girls become successful students. The Arizona Boarding School is located near Sedona, Arizona, 100 miles north of Phoenix. For more information please visit us online at http://www.ocrs.com