Oakwood School (Morgan Hill, California)

Oakwood School is Morgan Hill’s independent, non-sectarian, college-preparatory school for students in preschool through grade 12.

Campus

Situated on 25 acres in southwest Morgan Hill just off of Monterey Road at 105 John Wilson Way, the school currently has six buildings: four classroom buildings, an administrative building that includes a library, and a combination gym/theater. The school has dedicated science labs beginning in Kindergarten, as well as art and dance studios for students beginning in 1st grade. Additional technology labs and equipment are also available to students. Oakwood's gym is a full-sized competition gym, and the school has four outdoor tennis courts and a regulation soccer field. Revisions to the master plan are currently underway to accommodate more growth and expand its arts and athletic facilities.

History

Oakwood is a sister school of Pinewood School, Los Altos, which was started by Gwen and Victor Riches in 1959. Founded and managed by Gwen Riches’ eldest granddaughter and her husband, Oakwood School began as a preschool through eighth grade school. In 2005, the high school grades began and in 2009, Oakwood graduated its first senior class.

Early Childhood Education (ECE)

The preschool, junior kindergarten and kindergarten area is gated and includes Tree House, the continuing day and extended care building (7 am to 6:30 pm). Preschool and junior kindergarten students participate weekly in library and musical movement classes, while kindergarten students also have teachers in science, Spanish and physical education, all taught in specialty classrooms.

Elementary School (First through Fifth Grades)

In addition to the core subjects of Language Arts, Mathematics and History, first through fifth grade students have courses in science, Spanish, art, physical education, music, drama, and computer coding, all taught by specialist teachers in specialty classrooms, as well as weekly visits to the school’s Library. Elementary School has its own science laboratory and art studio.

Upper School

Middle School (6th through 8th Grades)

Core subjects include Language Arts, Mathematics, History, Science, and Physical Education, and students have many elective choices as well, up to six per year. Leadership and school-spirit are encouraged through Middle School Council as well as the Big Buddy Program, in which middle school students pair up with lower school students to provide friendship and mentorship.

Apart from local field trips, 6th grade goes to Yosemite and 7th grade students visit Catalina Island for a week, both trips serving as an integral part of the middle school science curriculum. 8th grade students spend a week on the East Coast, visiting Washington D.C., Colonial Williamsburg, Boston, and New York City, capitalizing on their history and language arts curriculum.

High School (Grades 9-12)

As one of the top college-prep schools in the Bay Area (rated 5th in 2016 in the San Jose Metro Area by Niche.com), Oakwood offers rigorous academic college prep to its students. A minimum of six courses per semester is required, with many students taking advantage of more courses, as the school runs a modified block schedule that includes eight periods.

Humanities

In addition to the required four years of English, every 9th grader takes Freshman Writing, and every junior takes Junior Writing. This heavy emphasis on writing and communication proves to be very effective for students, many of whom take both the College Board English Language and Composition AP Test and the English Literature AP Test and receive scores of 3, 4 or 5. Four years of social science courses are also required (AP options begin in the sophomore year), with a deliberate emphasis on writing and communication as students study in-depth world and American history and government, as well as economics during the senior year.

STEM

Small class sizes in math give students the opportunity to learn at a pace that is best for them, ensuring that all students have the chance to excel to the most advanced classes offered in high school (including several AP courses) or receive additional help if math is not a strength so that it can become one. Based on the recommendation of the National Science Foundation, Oakwood offers a laboratory science course sequence beginning with Conceptual Physics for freshman, with Chemistry and Biology required during the sophomore and junior years. The science curriculum is both engaging and hands-on, so that students will enjoy science, while they develop their abilities to think critically, interpret data, and work cooperatively.

Several AP science courses are available to highly motivated students during the junior and senior years. Computer programming courses are also available to interested students, including AP options.

Arts

All entering students are required to take either Studio Art or Theater Art, and students can progress further in their area of artistic interest and talent by enrolling in more advanced classes later in high school.

Athletics

70% of students are members of at least one sports team. Oakwood High School participates in the Mission Trail Athletic League (MTAL), which provides students the opportunity to participate in a competitive sports league beginning their freshman year. Oakwood plays competitively in many sports, and advances to the Central Coast Section (CCS) playoffs.

College Admissions

Oakwood is a college preparatory school, and as such, it is expected that all graduates will go on to college. Graduates go on to attend colleges all over the nation, with a few choosing international universities. A listing of college acceptances/selections for the past two graduating classes may be found at Oakwood High School Profile.(reference section #2). Stanford University, University of Pennsylvania, Santa Clara University, UCLA, UC Berkeley, University of Southern California, Pitzer, Harvey Mudd, Boston University, Colby College, Baylor University and Chapman University are many others are among the many colleges where Oakwood students are enrolled or have attended.

International Travel

High school students have the opportunity to travel to international destinations, and trips vary each year. Past destinations have included trips to London and France, to China, to Italy, and to Switzerland and Germany.

External links

• www.oakwoodway.org  Oakwood School