Rigor and Choice
Building on a tradition of academic excellence, Oakwood High School offers a strong core of rigorous academic subjects, while providing students with a wide array of elective courses from which to choose. The Oakwood tradition of exposing students to a variety of enrichment choices also drives the shape and substance of the high school academic program. Ultimately, Oakwood High School produces well-rounded graduates who possess both depth and breadth of knowledge.
Rigorous Academic Core
Oakwood High School students are immersed in a rich core of traditional, college-preparatory classes in which they develop skills in the areas of language arts, history and civics, mathematics, and the sciences. Classes are designed to strengthen students’ critical thinking and writing skills, while fostering enthusiasm for learning and deep intellectual curiosity. Oakwood High School believes that students’ mastery of these academic core subjects, along with the skills to successfully continue their educations, will make the school’s graduates uniquely poised for success in their future endeavors.
Opportunities for Exploring Interests
Continuing in the tradition of Oakwood Country School, Oakwood High School students have an abundance of opportunities to explore their passions in academic core subjects, as well as in the many available elective choices. Oakwood High School is dedicated to the concept that the more students feel a personal connection with a particular subject, the more likely they will be to take ownership of their learning. Small class sizes allow Oakwood High School teachers to actively work with students to make the curriculum more meaningful through customized assignments, projects, performances, and research.
Communications Track
Oakwood High School is committed to nurturing each student’s ability to effectively communicate through both writing and speech. Excellence in communications skills, perhaps more than any other single ability, directly impacts students’ future successes. Oakwood High School students take at least one semester of a communications track class each year. During their freshman year, students take a required semester course that focuses specifically on writing success in high school. During their junior year, students take a second required semester course that refines students’ analytic writing skills, as well as prepares them for successful completion of college application essays. In their other two years, students choose from elective classes in several different departments to fulfill their communications track requirement.