Oak Grove School (Ojai, California)

Oak Grove School is a progressive, private, vegetarian k-12 co-educational boarding school located in Ojai, California (near the Meiners Oaks neighborhood). It was founded by Jiddu Krishnamurti and is operated by the Krishnamurti Foundation of America. Oak Grove School is focused on inquiry-based learning and project-based learning.

The student to faculty ratio is 8:1, with an average class size of 15. The school is fully accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, WASC.

Mission and Founder

Inspired by the original intent and statement of philosophy left by the school’s founder J. Krishnamurti, the mission of Oak Grove School is to assist students in developing those qualities of mind, heart, and body that will enable them to function with excellence, care and responsibility in the modern world. In addition, it is the intention of the school to offer a place where the whole community can inquire together into the perennial questions of humankind and explore an approach to life that is whole, mindful and intelligent.

Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895–1986) did not expound any philosophy or religion, but rather talked of the things that concerned people's everyday lives, of the problems of living in modern society with its violence and corruption, of the individual's search for security and happiness, and the need for mankind to free itself from inner burdens of fear, anger, hurt and sorrow. He explained his thoughts on the subtle workings of the human mind, and pointed to the need for use in daily life.

Krishnamurti had a passion for inquiry and the pursuit of truth. His numerous books explore the nature of human consciousness and the possibility of its transformation through inquiry and insight. Krishnamurti engaged in dialogue with many modern thinkers, commentators, politicians and scientists, including Aldous Huxley, Iris Murdoch, Ivan Illich, Bernard Levin, Indira Gandhi and David Bohm.

Philosophy

Oak Grove students learn to use their minds, their bodies, and their hearts well because the overarching themes expressed in the Art of Living and Learning are embedded in the school’s culture, curriculum, classroom practice, and expectations of student learning.

• The Art of Inquiry

• observation
• questioning
• fact-finding
• research
• self-reflection

• The Art of Communication

• speaking
• writing
• listening
• collaboration

• The Art of Academia

• knowledge and application of academic standards, conventions, and disciplines in core subject areas

• The Art of Engagement

• attention
• self-direction
• self-motivation
• self-regulation metacognition or learning how one learns
• examining one’s own thinking

• The Art of Aesthetics

• sensitivity and appreciation of beauty in all forms
• finding the artist within
• artistic expression

• The Art of Caring & Relationship

• Self: self-understanding and awareness and making healthy choices
• Others: self-reflection and awareness in relationship, non-violent communication service to the common good
• Local & Global Communities: service and citizenship
• The Environment: mindful stewardship

External links

• Oak Grove Official Website