The Oakland Community School was opened in 1973 by the Black Panther Party as a tuition-free, not-for-profit, and community-organized elementary school for children ages two through twelve. The Oakland Community School was an outgrowth of some of the Black Panther Party's other educational endeavors including the Intercommunal Youth Institute. The Oakland Community School was widely regarded as a successful endeavor and was used as a training space for local educators. The school was also in very high demand and often had waiting lists for entry. The Oakland Community School closed its doors in 1982 in alignment with the formal end of the Black Panther Party.