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Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Oaks?
The Oaks is a private Classical & Christian School in Spokane, Washington serving grades K-12. It is one of the fastest growing private schools in eastern Washington and has established a reputation for outstanding spiritual and academic excellence during its 12 year history. The Oaks is an ACCS accredited, non-profit, non-denominational school.
When was The Oaks founded and how did it start?
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 formal Classical & Christian education to their children and the children of generations to come.
How big is The Oaks?
Currently, over 280 students attend The Oaks in grades K through 12. The school has grown in attendance each year and is approaching full capacity with one classroom per grade. The Oaks employs 27 teaching and administrative staff members, as well as 20 support staff members. There are over 150 families from over 40 different churches who make up the population of parents and students within the school.
What makes The Oaks unique?
The distinctive components of a fully Classical and thoroughly Christian educational methodology make The Oaks very unique. This method of teaching is over 2000 years old and was the standard model for formal education of 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 & 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 and Christian Schools (ACCS).
What is the Trivium?
The Trivium is an age old, proven, Classical teaching model which incorporates children’s three natural stages of learning. 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 the Association of Classical and Christian Schools?
ACCS 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 and Christian school. Of the 205 ACCS member schools, only 14 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?
Students study core subjects such as English, History/Geography, Math, Sciences, as well as Bible, Latin, Logic, Rhetoric, Music, Choral, and Spanish. In addition, secondary students choose electives from Art, Select Choir, Conversational Latin, Drama, Debate, and Physical Education. Many off campus learning activities are conducted at various grade levels to support learning experiences such as an Oregon Coast Field Trip, Mt. St. Helen’s Field Trip, Civil War Re-enactment Event, History Emphasis Week, Medieval Banquet, Protocol & Etiquette Training with a formal Ball and the Walla Walla Field Trip.
How well do The Oaks’ students perform academically?
- The cummulative average SAT college entrance exam scores by The Oaks' seniors ranks among some of the top high schools in the U.S..
- Out of the 43 graduates to date, 3 have been named National Merit Scholars and 9 have been awarded National Merit Commendations.
- 24% of Oaks' Juniors Rank in the top 3% of the nation in PSAT scores.
- 100% of The Oaks' graduates have gone to attend college at 15 different colleges and universities around the country.
- Over $1.8M in scholarship funds has been offered to Oaks' graduates.
- 42% of The Oaks' graduates have gone on into engineering, science, and medical fields of study.
What extra-curricular activities are offered at The Oaks?
Students at The Oaks enjoy a wide variety of extra-curricular activities including:
The Oaks continues to strengthen the extra-curricular programs as the school grows and develops.
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Cross Country is offered for students in grades 3 through 8
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Girls Volleyball for grades 7-12 includes Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Junior High teams
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Boys Soccer for grades 9-12 consists of a Varsity team
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Boys Basketball for grades 9-12 includes Varsity and Junior Varsity teams
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Girls Basketball for grades 9-12 consists of a Varsity team
Drama is extremely popular for many students at the school. Past productions have included: Cheaper by the Dozen, The Mousetrap, The Miracle Worker, Arsenic and Old Lace, The Mouse that Roared, Kingdom Come, The Importance of Being Ernest, Father Knows Best and The Three Musketeers.
How can I learn more about The Oaks and Classical & Christian Education?
Please contact the school office at 509-536-5955, Monday thru Friday from 8:00 am to 3:15 pm. PST. Parents are encouraged to visit classrooms in the school and meet with the teaching staff and administration to learn more about The Oaks. Please visit the ACCS website at www.accsedu.org. You can also contact The Oaks via email at www.theoakscca.org.
Where is The Oaks located?
The Oaks currents rents space from Valley Fourth Memorial Church and is located at 2303 S. Bowdish, Spokane, WA 99206.
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