Oakwood School

Relationships are at the core of our community. Teachers believe in intellectual integrity, and exemplify it. They not only espouse social morality, they encourage students to take action, to make a difference. Administrators are immersed in the day-to-day life of the school, and are as likely to be richly engaged by students as they are by school policies.

Oakwood students, kinders through 12th graders, call teachers and administrators by their first names. It's not that informality is a goal in and of itself, it is that removing barriers to open dialogue is encouraged. Respect for each individual voice is what makes Oakwood special.

It is only fitting that a school founded by families would be governed by them as well. Oakwood's Board of Trustees is comprised primarily of parents, alumni, past Oakwood parents and members of the national educational community. It ensures the continuing health of the school's plant, endowment, and financial aid programs.

And without parent volunteers some things just might not get done. Parents assist on field trips, participate in the classroom, and provide numerous services to students. The Parent Organization is open to all parents of the school. Led by an active Alumni Council, alumni participate in fundraising, reunions, networking, and share their expertise with others. Alumni have returned as faculty members, trustees, and now as parents of Oakwood students.

Oakwood children thrive in an environment where it is safe to ask questions and to take risks, where diversity in culture, opinion and learning style is valued because we believe the first step to knowledge is an open mind. Students are encouraged to ask questions, to experiment, to share their ideas and their excitement. It is respect for each individual voice that makes Oakwood special. Here, every child is known and valued.

Children are active participants in the life of the school because it is our belief that school should be a rich and happy experience in and of itself. Students have responsibilities both in and out of the classroom. From ringing the bell to marking daily time, to delivering milk, and achieving academic scholarship, each individual contributes to this learning community.

Students, faculty and administrators gather as a community for Town Meeting, where the microphone is available to anyone who wishes to speak. A girl might urge students to attend the volleyball game, another might perform a comedy skit, and another might share his displeasure about a school policy, which might spark a spontaneous debate. Occasionally, the entire meeting will be devoted to a compelling issue.

At the heart of every meaningful educational endeavor are two inseparable ideas: one is about childhood and the other about time. In the blink of an eye, both can pass us by. The work of an educational philosophy is to slow us down, to make us keenly aware of how important every minute of every day should be in the life of a young person. Our philosophy is not an inert set of words to us; it captures the core values that shape the school. Those values help us stay focused on what matters in every classroom, in every interaction, in every opportunity for the development of children’s character and thought. While the Oakwood philosophy is deeply rooted in the school’s founding vision, it also grounds us in the present moment, where all learning and discovery and growth occur.

“We intend an Oakwood Education to foster a sense of community. We seek to create a vibrant public life in the school, where students learn to express themselves fluently and responsibly, and to consider differing perspectives respectfully. We believe that an environment most conducive to learning and growth is diverse and inclusive.”

Our students, from kindergarten on, experience difference and learn that character is more than skin-deep. Opportunities for actively teaching students about the need for open-mindedness and affirmation of different perspectives arise through Morning Meetings as well as in the classroom. The curriculum reaches into a variety of cultures for lessons in social studies, the arts, science, reading, field trips, and the celebration of a multitude of holidays.

Oakwood Secondary School continuously strives to create a trusting, respectful, and inclusive learning environment and culture, inside and outside the classroom, where students feel confident to express and develop their own voice, values, and gifts. Our students gain the skills and knowledge to critically explore and assess their own and others’ assumptions and biases in order to reach less binary, more nuanced conclusions and to understand problems and solutions from multiple points of view. Here, students can form authentic, meaningful, and rich relationships across areas of difference. Our goal is to connect, empower, and support students, as well as promote the richness and diversity of their cultures within and outside of Oakwood.