Oakmont's Instruction

Oakmont School prepares each student:

1. to be an academically successful person and a lifelong learner

• in a supportive, nurturing environment.

Oakmont recognizes that each student is a unique and valuable person.  We look at the individual student and find the best situation for that child.  In the classroom, teachers work with each child according to his/her  academic background and learning style.

• with a low student/teacher ratio.

Classes are small (most are under 10) and multi-age where students are able to work at their developmental level rather than at age level. 

•  in an interdisciplinary framework.

Elements of the curriculum are integrated, to facilitate a deeper understanding of ideas and to help students recognize and explore connections between disciplines. 

For example, Oakmont's Body Class enhances physical education by incorporating biology, art, health, physics and math.  To study functions and diseases of organs, students created models in art and used their models for presentation in biology.  Students also created wooden and wire sculptures of human joints and used their models for the application of properties of physics.

• by maintaining high standards in each discipline.

Students received a magna cum laude and a cum laude in the National Latin Exam.

 

A 5th grade student had one of the highest scores in Texas in the 8th grade American Mathematics Competition.

 

Several students have placed at the Austin City Science Fair and gone on to the state competition.

• through inquiry, investigation, collaboration, independent study and   critical thinking.

Inquiry and Investigation--Collaboration

Middle school students wondered if the students at Oakmont had always attended private schools or if some of them had attended public schools.  They designed a survey, collected information from all of the students, prepared a display and presented their findings to the student body and faculty.

 

Investigation

How does geometry connect to the real world?   Each student chooses an area of  interest, such as animals, Renaissance art, Escher, architecture, sports, and keeps a  portfolio for the year illustrating all geometric concepts.

 

Inquiry and Investigation--Independent Study

During the summer, a student is studying Chinese dwarf hamsters, and will present his results to the student body in the fall.

2. to be a responsible citizen of the community and the world

• by having the opportunity for and responsibility of decision-making.
• by taking leadership roles and working as a team.
• by participating in community service.

3. to be respectful of all people and all ideas

• by learning in a diverse community.
• by investigation, discussion and reflective study