Oakdale Academy is a classical Christian school in Waterford, Michigan, for grades Junior Kindergarten-12. Our Mission is to instill Character, Truth, and Wisdom in our students in order to prepare them for a life of service to God, family, community, and country through classical Christian education.
IS OAKDALE ACADEMY A CHRISTIAN SCHOOL?
WHAT DOES SPIRITUAL INSTRUCTION LOOK LIKE AT OAKDALE ACADEMY?
Yes, Oakdale Academy is a Christian school. All faculty, staff, and each family must affirm our Statement of Faith or the Apostle's Creed as the core document that governs us. We also adhere to traditional Christian values with all of our policies and statements found on our website.
We believe that it is the role of the family and the church to be the source of spiritual instruction for children, and it is the role of the school to support the instruction of the church and family, not to supplant it.
The focus of Oakdale Academy is to provide students with an outstanding liberal arts education that is culturally rich in traditional American values in a Christian environment, surrounded by Christian teachers and staff, without preference for one set of denominational beliefs over another.
WHAT IS CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN EDUCATION?
Classical Christian education at Oakdale Academy is a learning process in which teachers disciple students in the appreciation of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty using the Greco-Roman Trivium and Quadrivium to support a distinctly Christian worldview. This process aims to inspire students to develop a life characterized by intellectual and spiritual pursuits and a sense of wonder.
WHAT CURRICULUM IS STUDIED AT OAKDALE ACADEMY?
Oakdale Academy is based on a classical curriculum. As such, our books and instruction ed draw from time tested sources that nourish student souls in pursuing Truth, Beauty, and Goodness. .
Our entire curriculum map may be found on the homepage of our website.
Oakdale Academy helps guide students in the development of their character and thinking through academically rigorous, content-rich curriculum and extracurricular activities.
The liberal arts curriculum directs students toward mastering foundational learning skills, exploring the arts and sciences, and understanding the principles of our Judeo-Christian and Greco-Roman heritage.
Benefits of an Oakdale education include the following:
- learning materials carefully selected for academic quality with our Statements of Mission and Faith in mind.
- primary sources throughout the curriculum .
- A low student-to-teacher ratio that ensures every student receives the personal attention needed to ensure individual, academic success.
- Emphasis on a student’s academic accomplishment, proper conduct, and regard for others results in a strong sense of self worth as servants of God and all his human image-bearers.
ARE STUDENTS REQUIRED TO WEAR UNIFORMS?
Yes, students wear school uniforms to promote a sense of unity, belonging, pride and responsibility. Wednesday chapels and certain other special occasions call for students to wear a formal uniform.
IS OAKDALE ACADEMY ACCREDITED?
No. The rigor of our curriculum exceeds state standards for graduation. True to the Hillsdale Academy model, there is no intention to pursue government accreditation in the future. Oakdale Academy is a member of the Association of Classical & Christian Schools, as well as the Society for Classical Learning.
Students are assessed yearly with national standardized tests. Students in Kindergarten through Sixth Grade take the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. Students in the Seventh Grade and beyond take the Classical Learning Test (CLT). Our scores are consistently above state and national averages.
DO OAKDALE ACADEMY STUDENTS GET ACCEPTED TO COLLEGES?
Yes. Colleges and universities are chiefly interested in standardized test scores and the difficulty of the curriculum. 100% of Oakdale Academy graduates have been accepted to large universities and small private colleges.
WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS OF THE FACULTY?
Oakdale Academy faculty members must hold a minimum of an earned bachelor’s degree; they must be knowledgeable about their subject area(s); they must be able to communicate effectively to students; and they must be committed to the Mission Statement and Statement of Faith. All teachers are observed regularly.
DOES OAKDALE ACADEMY FOLLOW THE COMMON CORE STANDARDS, OFFER AP CLASSES, OR IB CLASSES?
No. Oakdale Academy does not align to the Common Core State Standards, as our standards meet or exceed the prescribed standards. Furthermore, the political and philosophical controversy surrounding Common Core State Standards are of serious concern to Oakdale Academy administration.
We do not offer Advanced Placement (AP) courses or any portion of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program due to their progressive educational policies and practices.
Students may take AP exams without having taken an AP-certified class.
HOW CAN PARENTS LEARN MORE ABOUT CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN EDUCATION?
We offer classes for parents on the Classical Christian model and suggest the following books as a starting point for understanding this method:
- The Lost Tools of Learning by Dorothy Sayers
- The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis
- Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning by Douglas Wilson
- The Case for Classical Christian Education by Douglas Wilson
- Classical Education and the Homeschool by Douglas Wilson, Wes Callihan and Doug Jones
- The Seven Laws of Teaching by John Gregory
- Repairing the Ruins edited by Douglas Wilson
- Classical Education by Gene Edward Veith, Jr. and Andrew Kern
QUESTIONS FOR FAMILIES TO CONSIDER
Prior to applying to Oakdale Academy, parents should consider the following questions:
- Is your family committed to Jesus Christ?
- Oakdale Academy is an interdenominational Christian school, and we are focused on developing the spiritual disciplines rooted in the Truth of God’s Word.
- Are you committed to well-behaved children?
- Oakdale Academy is a school with high standards for student behavior with a goal towards students of high moral character. We expect parents to support teachers and administrators as we lovingly, but firmly, discipline students.
- Do you value academics?
- Our curriculum is rigorous and challenging. At times students will retreat from challenge, but the process is critical to the development of a full human and the need to stand firm in our faith in this world.
- What is your goal in the education of your child(ren)?
- Our goal is not college preparatory work. Our goal is very clearly defined in our Mission Statement, to prepare our students “for a life of service to God, family, community, and country through classical Christian education.”
- We seek for our students to understand and embrace a life of virtue so they may serve God first wherever He will call them.
DOES OAKDALE ACADEMY OFFER SPORTS?
Athletics play an important role at Oakdale Academy. For boys, our athletics department offers soccer, basketball, wrestling and golf. Girls have opportunities for volleyball, basketball, golf, and soccer. Character development is a key element of our sports program.
WHAT ARE CLASS SIZES?
Our class sizes are considerably smaller than the average in public schools. We believe greatly in the importance of teachers knowing their students as individuals and not as numbers so we guard our class sizes carefully.
DOES OAKDALE ACADEMY OFFER FINE & PERFORMING ARTS CLASSES?
Yes, both instrumental and vocal music and visual art studies are offered at Oakdale Academy. The arts are an integral part of a Classical and Christian education.
DOES OAKDALE ACADEMY OFFER FOREIGN LANGUAGES?
All students in grades K-12 must take Latin. As a foundational language, Latin is a critical study for developmental skills and is required for all students.
