Academics

         English, Composition and Literature:

• In Kindergarten through 6th grade, The Oaks emphasizes reading, penmanship, spelling, grammar, composition and period-specific, age-appropriate literature.

• The 7th grade curriculum emphasizes language development and usage, composition and a survey of good books from American literature.

• Curriculum in grades 8th - 12th emphasizes writing and continued language development, with literature based vocabulary development. Literature content in these grades progresses through the good and great books of ancient, classical, early church, medieval, renaissance, reformation, modern, and American periods. The content parallels the study of history, providing advanced exposure to the finest literature of the West. Our literature list has been compared to a college level Honors programs. In preparation for 11th grade Rhetoric, students in grades 2nd - 10th, learn the fourteen pre-rhetoric heuristics called the Progymnasmata.

• For a complete listing of our Secondary Literature click here.
• For a complete listing of our Elementary Literature by grade click here.
• For a complete listing of our Secondary Literature by grade click here. 

      Progymnasmata:

“Progymnasmata are collections of speaking and writing exercises for students of rhetoric. As historians have shown, they played an extremely important role in European education from Antiquity to the beginnings of the Modern Era. Unfortunately, they are treated today, if at all, as a historical curiosity, a relic of the old 'school rhetoric'. Occasionally, there are attempts to revive the traditional sequence. Both approaches miss what I believe is most valuable about the Progymnasmata, the very idea of a unified pedagogical program in the language arts, spanning primary, secondary, and higher education, oriented toward the shaping of rhetorical character, and organized around a sequence of well-defined exercises in verbal analysis and composition.”                                                             -- The Very Idea of a Progymnasmata, Fleming, J. David, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison.

History: Grades 1 through 12 survey the world, and especially Western Civilization, from the ancient to modern day. Throughout their tenure at The Oaks, students will study this sequence three times, in increasing sophistication. At each level, students will grow to understand a Christian perspective on the development of civilization. Discussion aids students in seeing God's providence in the outworking of His overarching plan. The chronological sequence of presentation parallels the study of literature.

• Grammar level history emphasizes mental cataloging of the major people, events and dates through rhyme, recitation and rhythm.
• Logic level history reviews the cataloged facts and aids the students in recognizing the connectivity of historical events, people and locations. Principles of logic and rhetoric are integrated to enhance student learning, as well as discussion, debate and presentation.
• High school level history explores the motivation of leaders, relationships between different cultures in existence at the same time, forms of government, and causes of war. Primary historical texts make this course the equivalent of an advanced study of the West.

Mathematics: Recognition of the orderly nature of God's creation undergirds the philosophy of mathematics at The Oaks. Solid practical instruction is included so students grasp principles, aptly apply them and progressively master mathematics at each level. 

• Grammar level mathematics study addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Facts are learned inside and out. Learning facts, geometrical shapes and groupings easily leads students into more complicated mathematical processes.
• Logic level students develop in symbolic mathematics. Algebra requires the student to work with the unknown; to analyze each problem, discover its central point and apply knowledge already acquired to its solution. 
• High School level mathematics includes Geometry, Trigonometry, Integrated Mathematics, and Calculus.

Foreign Language: Providing much of the foundation of English and Romantic languages, Latin is integral to a classical education opening a door into the classical world. Latin is taught 3rd - 10th grade.

Arts: Recognizing God, the creator in all things true, beautiful and good, The Oaks provides instruction in Music and the Visual Arts.

• Music: At the heart of music education is the conviction that music forms an important role in education. God has given us the gift of music and students are taught to appreciate this gift throughout their entire experience at The Oaks. Instrumental and vocal skills are developed in the early grades. All students are trained in smaller ensembles by grade and as an all school choir. In high school, students can elect to join our Madrigal Choir.

• Cantabile: Every week we begin on Mon and end on Friday with an all school assembly where we sing, and pray along with our parents and staff, to our God and king.                        
• Visual Arts: Students learn the aesthetic principles of goodness, beauty, and truth. They learn to recognize and master the concepts of light and shadow, form and function.

Science: Grammar level science students discover the works of God in His creation through study and laboratory experience in the physical and life sciences. When students enter the logic, reasoning or understanding stage of learning, fifth through eighth grade science provides the basis for ordering this revelation of God. Laboratory experience verifies the great discoveries of scientists. High school students further study Biology, Chemistry, & Physics. Studying the principles and laws of each science the graduate will finish with a sound grasp of foundational scientific ideas.

Bible, Theology, Philosophy and Apologetics: Classical Christian educators describe theology as the "queen of the sciences" and philosophy as its "handmaiden." Bible, theology, philosophy and apologetics develop the thinking of the maturing student to effectively defend and advance the Christian faith in any arena. Grammar School students study a portion of the Bible, beginning with Genesis and moving through Revelation, in a five-year sequence. In the Upper School, a comprehensive study of the law, history, poetry, and wisdom literature of the Old Testament, as well as the Gospels, Acts, and Pauline Epistles, exposes students to the revelation of God. Later studies include the creeds and confessions of the church through theology and apologetics.

" Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone that asketh you a reason for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence," 1 Peter 3:15.

Athletics: Education of the whole person includes training the physical body. Physical training, teamwork and performance under pressure will enrich the education of youth. P.E. classes are included in the elementary grade curriculum. The Oaks provides coaching and interscholastic competition beginning in 5^th grade with cross country and in many other sports in grades 7 and up such as boys soccer, basketball, girls volleyball, basketball.

College and Career Guidance: Each student has been called by God to a life of Christian influence whether in the church and family or in the broader society through law, politics, economics and business, the arts, sciences or industry. For those who are called to continue their education The Oaks provides assistance through our office of College Counseling which coordinates the application process and advocates for our students along the way. Graduates of The Oaks have enrolled in private liberal arts and Christian colleges, state institutions of higher learning and military service academies pursuing an array of post secondary training.