Bishop O’Dowd High School

Catholic private school located in East Oakland, near Oakland Zoo. I am not an alumnus of Bishop O'Dowd but I came here for my LMU Extension classes for the last two years. The campus is small but beautiful. Money really does make a significant difference in the type of education any student receives. All the facilities and grounds are well-maintained and are up-to-date. Classrooms have a maximum of 25 desks and include an electronic panel for projector, sound, and lights. This school also has as a separate center for environmental studies and are now raising money (upward of $1 million) for another brand new building. It's crazy that a school could accomplish this.

I had two children attend here. If your child is interested in a career in the sciences this school does not prepare them for the way classes are taught at a top tier university. The way in which they test (multiple corrections opportunities) and teach (use of calculators) is the opposite of what they do in university. O'Dowd is focused on the appearance of grades but the grades aren't real. They worry about what they can say about college acceptance rates and types of institutions students are accepted to but they don't actually prepare them for how to study for or take exams properly. It's not worth the cost for the outcome. Maybe if your child is interested in the liberal arts or some general finance degree it's fine. If their focus is to just play sports this might also be your spot. If your child is not a minority likely also fine. If you want them to go to one of the top schools in the nation and survive - this is not for your child. Counseling staff have outdated ideas and a relic leading them all. The school does not offer anything that supports essay writing at school or as part of an assignment as many other high schools of a similar position do. They do nothing that provides value. They provide a place for students to submit their college options (for their tracking nothing more) and provide zero coaching on applying. They do not offer support to those that are paying their wages and keeping the lights on. Look elsewhere. This is not worth the financial investment given the lack of genuine college preparation experienced here. Huge disappointment.

We came here to pick up our niece. This was my first time picking her up. The pick up line of cars is an experience. There is even a line just getting off the freeway. Luckily we saw her as soon as we pulled up. I was worried we wouldn't be able to find her in the crowd. Picking up isn't for the lighthearted.

I have a Junior and a Freshman at O'Dowd. I could not be happier with the school. It has been a wonderful experience for my kids and family. I highly recommend this school for it's diversity, fairness, good morale values, ot's run efficiently, and has so much to offer in terms of sports and clubs and the arts. I am glad we chose O'Dowd and they have chosen us.

This school has incredibly aggressive teachers who teach their students unsportsmanlike conduct across many different areas including speech and debate. Coaches only seem to care if their students will win. Students are disrespectful to kids of different backgrounds when competing...

Our daughter just graduated Bishop O'Dowd where we have been parents since 2017. Bishop O'Dowd has an exceptional faculty and staff who truly care about the success and well being of each student. There are numerous opportunities for international travel and scientific exploration. The academic offerings include over 20 advanced placement courses, and the school recently piloted the new African American AP Course. There are numerous clubs and organizations so each student will definitely find their interest and passion. Our daughter thrived at Bishop O'Dowd and transformed from a quiet 9th grader into an active leader in the Campus Ministry and Music Ministry programs. I cannot say enough good things about Bishop O'Dowd. The students are kept engaged in their studies and feel like they are active participants in their education. We will miss our time at Bishop O'Dowd and definitely recommend the school to prospective families.

This school encourages non sportsmanship in sports. They teach their kids to win at all cost and don't discipline their kids if their behavior is aggressive or even just inappropriate. I am shocked a school that preaches Christian values does not practice it on the field. Revolting and shocking bad coaching.

This is such a horrible place to have kids go to school. The race card is played by several groups at the school and the teachers are afraid to do anything about it. There is no "safe space" for kids that don't fall into the "right" groups. My son has started his second year and we are already looking to change schools. It's so unfortunate, because generations of my family have gone there, but it has turned into a horrible place for kids in their most impressionable ages. On top of it all, it costs a fortune. For that kind of money, you would HOPE to get an education where everyone felt equal and included, but as I said, certain groups run the school and the cowards in the administration turn a blind eye.

Wow...totally cool campus. When I came into this campus what came to mind was the high schools on TV. It's like I came onto the site of high school musical or something. Anyways, we were there using the gym. It was large and spacious. There are tons of medals and awards posted on the wall. Very cool! If I have enough money I'd totally send my kid here.

I ought to go to one of my high school reunions just to make peace. My best memory here: AP Biology Class with Mr. Goodhart.

Bishop O'Dowd was a great school when I went there. I graduated in '10, and went to a four year university. The teachers at O'Dowd are some of the kindest and most generous individuals I have ever met. I still stay in touch with a lot of O'Dowd teachers- they're great mentors. I got a great education, and I learned a lot about myself while at O'Dowd. I truly felt prepared for college.

I wasted precious resources - money, time, energy - towards what I thought would be a good experience for my daughter at Bishop O'Dowd High School. I paid for books, uniforms and a tuition that I couldn't afford in order to give her what I thought would be a better education than public school. Instead, my daughter's self esteem and courage was destroyed. She has a very bad start on her high school grades, and has to start all over again in a public school system that Bishop O'Dowd didn't come near matching in quality (or price). Counselors do not engage with kids and with families and do not respond to emails and phone calls in a timely fashion (if at all). Teachers often do not respond to emails, and if they do it's to explain to you all the ways they are doing their job and you are not doing yours. Administration points fingers at the families for low performing kids. After school "support" consists of the support teacher telling a student to do her homework and turning away from her. The counselors and prior Principal spent more time investigating the whereabouts of my daughter's father - who doesn't participate in her life - than they did investigating why she was struggling with her courses. Even after I requested a meeting to discuss her grades and our feelings of being an outsider in the school, walls were put up and communication was impossible. We were told that perhaps she didn't belong at the school. Bishop O'Dowd has a sour administration that shows you the door when you ask questions, teachers who abusively berate children in hallways when questions are asked, while families who do their very best to make ends meet paying precious money to Bishop O'Dowd High School struggle to find their way . . this school that cares more about its website and its outward appearance than it does about its students. Nothing is free or part of tuition at O'Dowd; an evening "Finals Prep" class costs $50 (if you can get a spot). It's easy to get left behind at O'Dowd without even realizing it and then it's too late because of the lack of support. After leaving O'Dowd mid-semester, I had a conversation with parent at O'Dowd who said "I went to O'Dowd, so it's easy for me to navigate the administration. . . you need to know people to get help." I admonished her - and the school - for playing favorites for children of alumni and not welcoming the new families or helping the kids who are excited to go there but don't have an "in". Please message me if you'd like more information or hear more detailed stories of our O'Dowd ordeal. Skyline High has been fantastic transitioning my daughter back into high school and we are hopefully that her feet are back underneath her.

Well for a school that says they are a diverse community sure, there are people from many different backgrounds but there is a culture of racism at this school. As a recent alumni I would I have witnessed this. The Dean's don't care at all. They would rather worry about dress code and all other minor problems. O'Dowd is a school for privileged kids only. If your family is not a major donor dont expect to enjoy your time here. Sure the spirit week, prom, sporting events are nice but those are minor things. You will fall behind very easily if you don't come prepared for an education that will kick your butt. Be sure you attend a good middle school. You will be prepared for college but scarred for life. The teachers are good for the most part. Like a police department we have a couple bad apples. Plus this school really only cares about profit over anything. It costs money to attend your reunion. I personally would not come back to visit.

I'm disappointed that I found the filtered reviews to be more accurate than the published reviews. I have a child that attends BOD and my one criticism is the counseling center. It's extremely frustrating to have a counselor that cannot learn a student's name in four years, offers no support and is protected by an administration that could care less about the plight of individual students. In the debate of private vs. public, the one positive aspect of public schools is that there is a cognizable chain of command and complaint procedure. I have found that BOD fails miserably in the accountability portion of student care. On a positive note, my child has thrived at BOD. However, we attribute this success to relationships with a few very good staff members and a personal desire to succeed. It is also notable that families are given only 8 tickets for high school graduation!? I'm unsure about anyone else, but we have more than 8 people in our family. After paying the high cost of private school for a number of years, it's a bit of an insult to offer only 8 tickets and then suggest that parents barter online to obtain additional tickets from other BOD families?

O'Dowd is an ethnically and socioeconomically Catholic high school in the East Bay. Although in the past some have said there is too much of a focus on athletics and not enough on academics, with the new administration this seems to be changing. If you are looking for an affordable private school for your teenager in the East Bay, consider looking here.

Bishop O'Dowd is a wonderful school for academics. When I went off to college I was so well prepared that my college classes were easy. My only issue with O'Dowd was they we're extremely racially insensitive. I am a African American person and I never really felt welcomed. The BSU assembly was the only time I felt welcomed and appreciated for being African American. I have a few examples of the insensitivity. There is an annual auction for the school and my mother signed me and friend up to volunteer at the auction. We get there and some lady who i guess was in charge, told us to sit and she would get back with us on what to do. So we sit, no problem. A group of "white" kids come in and she greets them like, "Welcome, Welcome, you guys ready to work?" They all say, "Yes". And she gives them a bunch of jobs to do. Mind you, we're still sitting and waiting for her to tell us what to do. At first I got mad, then i thought, well maybe they are veterans to this auction and she rather get them started then help us new comers later. WRONG! They had no idea what they we're doing either. I was mad and felt completely ignored and offended. My mother sent the president an email and she received no respond. I suggest if your going to send your African American child to this school to make sure that you keep their self esteems up and encourage them to feel proud about being African American and never let anyone tell them different.

As a student at BOD i wouldn't choose to got to any other school in the area. My teachers are great along with the other staff. O'dowd is very diverse and accepting to people of a different backgrounds. O'dowd is a great asset to my life and i feel that the school has helped me be who i am today. !!!!!!!!!!!!! GO DRAGONS !!!!!!!!!!!!!

The best steakhouse in Reykjavik. If you're looking for good steak and a cool pint of beer this is definitely the place for you. Although it is far from the city it's got character and is worth the drive. I come here all the time and suggest you to do so as well.

I graduated in 1974. I was a model student. It's where I learned to take drugs, drink beer, and do other dastardly deeds. I learned the word "ranch" applied to more than cattle. I learned the devious ways of a future forlorn existence. I learned never to drink Ripple Pagan Pink or Boone's Farm Strawberry Hill ever again in my life. It got me into Cal Berkeley, where I bludgeoned my way through a grueling curriculum and managed to get a decent job, for which I am grateful, for had I rested on the laurels of what I learned at O'Dowd I would have surely graduated to Folsom or San Quentin Prisons.

a horrible hell run by religo-freaks. do not send your children here. that being said, best 4 years of my life!

My child is a student, the education is inline with other high schools and there are a number of excellent activities. If you are athletic, you better be amazing or you won't play for BOD. Heads up to parents though, this they beat you up for financial donations to the point giving is never enough.

The youngest of my 4 children is graduating from BOD this year. Each of my kids had different interests. A couple were sports oriented and 3 became involved in the theater program. The financial sacrifice to send our kids to this school was well worth it. All 4 have thrived academically and socially. The three that graduated went on to great universities and were very well prepared to succeed at that level. The BOD's service learning and environmental studies programs foster strong ethics in the students. The theater program is extraordinary. Most importantly they love these programs and therefore thrive in them. BOD helped prepare my kids for college, life and to be good adult citizens.