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Here are answers to questions we are frequently asked about The Oaks…
What is The Oaks? (Top)
The Oaks is a private, non-denominational Christian school dedicated to providing families with a quality Classical education for their children. Located in Spokane, Washington and serving grades K-12, it is one of the largest private schools in eastern Washington and has established a reputation for outstanding spiritual and academic excellence during its 14 year history. The Oaks is a non-profit school and it is also an accredited member of the Association of Classical & Christian Schools.
When was The Oaks founded and how did it start? (Top)
The Oaks was founded in 1996 with 33 students in grades K-6. The school was started by a dedicated core of visionary parents desiring to provide a formal Classical Christian education to their children and to the children future generations.
How big is The Oaks? (Top)
Currently, over 270 students attend The Oaks in grades K through 12, with one classroom per grade, which makes it one of the largest private schools in eastern Washington. The Oaks employs 27 teaching and administrative staff members, as well as 20 support staff members. There are more than150 families from over 45 different churches who make up the diverse socio-economic population of parents and students within the school.
Where is The Oaks located? (Top)
The Oaks is located at 2303 S. Bowdish Road, Spokane Valley, WA, 99206. This is their third location in Spokane. Beginning in 1996 at Knox Presbyterian Church, the school moved to Glad Tidings Church in 2001 as it grew, and then again in 2006 to their current, beautiful facility on the Valley Fourth Memorial Church campus. They currently have a five year lease with Valley Fourth, while they lay plans for a permanent home on property which has been pledged to the school, in the Glenrose area on Spokane’s south side.
What makes The Oaks unique? (Top)
The distinctive components of a fully Classical and thoroughly Christian educational methodology make The Oaks very unique. This form of teaching is over 2000 years old and was the standard model for educating our country’s founding fathers. The Oaks provides a well-balanced, rigorous learning program in an environment of high standards, love and self-discipline. All subjects are taught with the Scriptures at the center using the Classical teaching model of the Trivium. Six tools of learning are used to facilitate learning in the younger grades at The Oaks. The tools are memorization, imitation, sound offs, songs, chants and catechisms. Biblical truth and historical emphasis are critical components of an Oaks' education. Students learn how to think well, write concisely and communicate persuasively. They graduate with a love for learning, an understanding of how to think and a desire to honor and glorify God. The Oaks is also an accredited member of the Association of Classical & Christian Schools (ACCS).
What is the Trivium? (Top)
The Trivium is an age old, proven, Classical teaching model which incorporates children’s three natural stages of learning - Grammar, Logic and Rhetoric. In the Grammar Stage, K-6 students learn the facts and rules of their subjects. The Logic Stage of grades 7-9, teaches knowledge with understanding of what is learned. Lastly, the Rhetoric Stage educates students in grades 10-12 how to articulate wisdom through concise verbal and written communication.
What is ACCS? (Top)
ACCS is the Association of Classical & Christian schools. It is a national organization whose primary mission “is to promote, establish and equip schools committed to a classical approach to education in light of a Christian worldview grounded in the Old and New Testament Scriptures.” There are 205 ACCS member schools in 41 states and two other nations. The standards and requirements for ACCS accreditation are very thorough, rigorous and critical to supporting excellence in administration, curriculum application, staff development, leadership and overall stewardship of operating a Classical Christian school. Of the 205 ACCS member schools, only 19 schools have achieved accreditation status. The Oaks became a member of ACCS in 1996 and achieved full ACCS accreditation in 2007.
What do students study at The Oaks? (Top)
Students study core subjects such as English, Literature, Math, History/Geography, and Sciences, as well as, Bible, Philosophy, Latin, Logic, Rhetoric, and Choir. In addition, Secondary students choose electives from Art, Madrigal Choir, Leadership, and Debate. For an overview of their curriculum visit the Academics page. Many off campus learning activities are conducted at various grade levels to support learning experiences such as: Oregon Coast Field Trip, Mount St. Helen’s Field Trip, Civil War Re-enactment Event, History Emphasis Week, Medieval Banquet, Protocol & Etiquette Training with a formal Ball, Walla Walla Field Trip, culminating in the Senior Grand Tour. These events are designed to give students the first-hand knowledge of God’s creation that books simply cannot provide.
How well do The Oaks’ students perform academically? (Top)
- The SAT College entrance exam scores by The Oaks' Seniors (all are required to take the SAT) rank among the top high schools in the country. The Oaks' current 4 yr. average of all three sections of the SAT is 1871 (US average=1521).
- As of June 2010, 4 of their 78 graduates have been named National Merit Scholars and 16 have been awarded National Merit Letters of Commendation.
- 22% of The Oaks' Juniors rank in the top 3% of the nation in PSAT scores earning them National Merit recognition.
- 100% of The Oaks' graduates have continued their education at 25 different colleges and universities around the country.
- Over $2.5M in scholarship funds have been offered to Oaks' graduates.
- 40% of The Oaks' graduates have gone into engineering, science, and medical fields of study.
- For a more detailed description of the Oaks’ academic performance see our High School Profile.
What extra-curricular activities are offered at The Oaks? (Top)
Students at The Oaks enjoy a wide variety of extra-curricular activities including:
Drama, Debate, Math Team, Protocol and Formal Etiquette Ball Events
Cross Country is offered for students in grades 3 - 8.
Girls Volleyball for grades 7-12 includes Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Junior High teams.
Boys Soccer for grades 9-12 consists of a Varsity team.
Boys Basketball for grades 9-12 includes Varsity & Junior Varsity teams.
Girls Basketball for grades 9-12 consists of a Varsity team.
How can I learn more about The Oaks and Classical Christian education? (Top)
We would love to talk to you about The Oaks! Please contact us at 509-536-5955, M-F, from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. PST to set up a time to come see the school. Parents are encouraged to visit the classrooms and meet with the teaching staff and administration to learn more about The Oaks.
Parental Commitment (Top)
"Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it."
Proverbs 22:6
God has given parents the responsibility for the education of their children. Parents may take advantage of the resources that a school can provide; however, the parents should not abdicate this responsibility to the school. Our school encourages the parents to actively participate in their children's education. Their commitment to this process may be realized in committee memberships, direct classroom or school administrative assistance, as well as parent/teacher fellowships.
Frequent communication between parents and teachers in tracking a child's progress is encouraged.
The success of students at The Oaks will be directly related to the prayerful, financial, and time commitments of parents to the school.
School Commitment (Top)
"Our job as educators is not complete until the children have been taught how to learn for themselves and how to express what they have learned."
Doug Wilson
It is our commitment to support parents by providing a classical and Biblically based education in a Christian environment; to teach all subjects in the curriculum as a part of an integrated whole with the Scriptures at the center.
Our staff and board members will provide a clear model of Biblical Christian lifestyle to the students and their families. By exhibiting a true passion for their subjects, our teachers will encourage every student to develop a love for learning and to achieve their maximum academic potential.
The teachers will inform the parents of their children's progress on a frequent basis. They will maintain an orderly and disciplined classroom environment conducive to learning.
Student Commitment (Top)
"Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go; keep her, for she is thy life."
Proverbs 4:13
At The Oaks, students will be taught that doing their best in all their work is "as unto the Lord". When this standard is applied, it translates into practical and consistent study and work habits.