OMSA Policy- Promotion, Retention, and Intervention Policy
Why These Standards Matter: OMSA Is a College-Aligned School
Through its partnership with UNC-Pembroke, OMSA is building a clear academic pipeline that prepares students not only to advance from grade to grade, but to succeed in rigorous post-secondary environments. Colleges and universities expect students to demonstrate:
● Consistent attendance
● Mastery of grade-level content
● Strong academic habits and responsibility
● Readiness to progress based on learning, not age
● Ability to engage productively in instruction
Student behavior is connected to readiness for next-level learning because successful progression requires consistent engagement in instruction, respectful collaboration, and participation in academic supports.
To honor this partnership and ensure student readiness, OMSA bases promotion decisions on demonstrated proficiency, supported by data and reinforced through timely intervention. During the February Board of Directors meeting, OMSA formally strengthened its promotion, retention, and intervention standards to reflect these expectations.
Instructional Time Is Irreplaceable
Daily attendance and punctuality are essential to student success because:
● Instruction builds sequentially
● Missed lessons create learning gaps that compound over time
● Chronic tardiness or absence reduce academic progress
● Lost instructional time cannot be fully recovered through homework alone.
When students miss significant instructional time due to chronic absences or frequent tardiness, learning gaps can grow quickly. For this reason, attendance concerns may trigger additional support, parent conferences, and intervention planning. Regular, on-time attendance is a critical component of academic achievement at OMSA.
Promotion Is an Academic Decision
OMSA does not practice social promotion. Students advance to the next grade only when they demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to succeed at the next instructional level.
When retention is necessary, it is:
● An instructional support decision
● Accompanied by documented interventions
● Designed to provide additional time, instruction, and targeted support
All decisions are made using multiple measures and with the student’s long-term success as the guiding priority.
OMSA’s Accountability as a Public Charter School
As a North Carolina public charter school, OMSA is held to state accountability standards for student growth, proficiency, and outcomes. Clear attendance expectations, promotion criteria, and intervention documentation ensure that:
● Students are supported equitably
● Families are informed early and consistently
● OMSA remains compliant with state law and charter obligations
● Partnerships with higher education institutions remain strong and credible
What Families Should Know
At OMSA:
● Attendance and punctuality best practices reflect rigor standards
● Academic progress is monitored continuously
● Interventions occur before promotion or retention decisions are made
● Families are notified early when concerns arise
● Promotion is based on learning evidence, not grade level alone
How Families Can Support Student Success
Families play a vital role by:
● Ensuring students arrive on time each day
● Communicating promptly about absences or concerns
● Reviewing progress reports and teacher communications
● Participating in conferences and intervention planning
● Encouraging consistent study habits and accountability at home
● Reinforcing positive behavior expectations, including respect for staff and peers, adherence to school rules, and accountability for choices made at school
A Shared Commitment
OMSA’s standards reflect a commitment to excellence, integrity, and preparation for the future. Our partnership with UNC-Pembroke affirms confidence in OMSA’s educational model and in the potential of our students.
Accountability and School Choice
The OMSA Board of Directors, Administration, and Faculty & Staff take accountability seriously as a core responsibility of operating a public charter school. OMSA maintains clear academic, attendance, and behavioral standards aligned with its mission, charter obligations, and post-secondary partnerships.
As a school of choice, OMSA is intentionally selected by families whose values align with these expectations. We respect that families make educational decisions based on their priorities and beliefs; therefore, if OMSA’s standards do not align with a family’s expectations, families are encouraged to consider the educational setting that best meets their needs.
OMSA remains committed to transparency, shared responsibility, and a strong school–family partnership in support of student success.