Academic Program

The Oakland School academic program has been generating outstanding results for students for more than half a century. Small classrooms and a student-teacher ratio of 4.5 to 1 provide the specialized attention needed to ensure success.  Every student is assigned to a main teacher who oversees the specifics of each child’s progress.  Each student’s academic program is tailored to address his or her academic needs and is individually prepared. The academic program places a heavy emphasis on basic skills which are instrumental to any successful remedial education. Positive reinforcement is also emphasized to build confidence and self-esteem.

Reading: An Oakland Specialty

Each student receives at least one 30-minute period per day of one-to-one instruction. Children with severe reading disabilities often receive additional “one-to-ones” and may spend 2 1/2 to 3 hours daily in intensive reading instruction. Because the ability to read impacts all aspects of education, teaching reading is a specialty at Oakland. The beginning reading program is phonics based similar to the Orton-Gillingham method. Phonics and word attack skills are reinforced during one-to-one reading periods and all reading teachers are trained in this method. Many other types of reading, comprehension, and vocabulary instruction are utilized based on individual needs and learning styles. Students typically show 1 1/2 to 2 years of progress in reading each year and are moved ahead as quickly as their abilities allow.

General Academic Outline

A strong basic skills emphasis is essential to future school success.  Therefore, much time is spent on language, math, and study skills.  English is taught as two separate courses, encompassing both grammar and written language. Students complete most of their writing on computers and are taught keyboarding and proofing skills as well as how to use spellcheck and grammar check.

Math instruction is individualized as necessary; however, most math classes are taught in small groups of 6 to 8 students. Children progress as quickly as they are able without sacrificing the review of basic skills.

At the blackboard, science and history are taught as study skills classes and are an integral part of the process of transitioning students into mainstream education. Most children do not intuitively learn how to skim and scan for information, outline, take notes from lectures, study for tests, or answer essay questions. These skills are taught through a variety of courses in science and history.

Academics at Oakland are not taught by grade but according to each child’s own particular ability and achievement level. Grade and course credits are provided at the ninth grade level through a curriculum based on the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Standards of Learning.

Parents can actively participate in their child’s school experience and closely monitor progress via four written reports a year plus several scheduled conference times as well as extensive telephone communications with school staff as needed.

Student Profile

Oakland has an enrollment of up to 85 boarding and day students during the school year and 135 students during the seven-week summer program. Age at admission is 7 - 14, and students may remain until age 17. Although many are from Mid-Atlantic states, students come from all parts of the country as well as overseas. Girls usually make up one quarter to one third of the student body.

A typical Oakland student possesses average to above-average intelligence but has not experienced success in a prior school experience due to learning disabilities, attention deficits, organizational problems, or an inappropriate program.  Academically, Oakland can accept a wide range of both abilities and achievement levels. Because of the individualized academic program, each student can be taught at an appropriate level where he or she can learn and make progress as rapidly as possible.

Successful students at Oakland learn how to be responsible for their own behavior.  Children who thrive in Oakland’s supportive and family atmosphere become more self-confident and independent.

Oakland is not a therapeutic school and does not accept children with severe emotional or behavioral disorders.