The Oakland Way
Our warm, nurturing atmosphere and farm-like setting create a safe space for children to understand that their brains work a little differently. Through intensive academic instruction and emphasis on character development, we guide students through a journey of self-discovery, unlocking their potential to succeed and develop the confidence to take on even greater challenges after Oakland.
1:1 instruction
A cornerstone of the Oakland Way since the school’s inception, one-to-one sessions with a child’s main teacher not only facilitate average to above average gains in reading each year but also build trust to help students navigate social and emotional challenges as well.
individualized Learning plans
We work hand in hand with parents to understand the individual strengths and weaknesses of each child as well as their learning style, interests, and motivators. The result is a living document that empowers teachers to customize instruction to best meet the needs of each student.
intensive reading instruction
Starting in elementary school, reading sits at the core of most academic instruction. This is why we have made it Oakland’s specialty, dedicating as much as three hours a day to phonics, decoding, word study, comprehension, and oral reading.
Ungraded curriculum
We don’t categorize students by grade like traditional schools. Instead, we focus on each child's individual needs and place them with students of similar achievement levels. This eliminates the anxiety related to the feeling that one is 'falling behind' and helps students focus on their unique educational journey.
Small class sizes
Small, flexible instruction groups provide children with a classroom experience in a judgment-free zone. Students are accepting of each others’ differences, often modeling encouraging words and offering praise when learning new materials together.
Multisensory approach
Our founder, Margaret Shepherd, focused on visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile methods to help teach students with learning differences. More than 70 years later, we continue to use this creative, multisensory approach to stimulate learning.
Character development
“Grit” is something we have always sought to teach at Oakland. Our Character Counts curriculum and overall approach to learning emphasizes our core values, which include perseverance, resilience, and respect.
Riding program
All children enjoy free riding lessons as part of their schedule if they choose. Caring for the animals, respecting the discipline of the sport, and enjoying the moments of peace on our meandering trails builds character and provides our students a break from academic demands. Many students develop a lifelong love of riding.
summer Program
Included in tuition, our five-week summer program is a blend of intensive academics and traditional camp fun. The program sets students on a path for success.
outdoor opportunities
At Oakland, technology takes a back seat to the great outdoors with experiential learning that includes nature activities, fireside chats, and outdoor instruction. Movement between classes is intentional, allowing students to increase oxygen intake, revitalize blood flow, and prime the brain to store and retrieve information.