And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers. (Mal. 4:6)
Parent-Centered Education
We Teach Students Within Their Families
Parents about to learn if their child can break the board at a Tae Kwon Do workshop.
Shouldn't the title for this section read "Student-Centered Education" instead of "Parent-Centered Education"?
Of course, your children will be our focus, but these are your children. Oaks staff act on your behalf during the school day, but they will refuse any temptation to act in your place. As parents ourselves, we take this scripture as our guide:
"And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You (parents) shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up." (Deut. 6:6-7, NKJV)
We do not shirk our privileged responsibility as stewards of your child during school hours. Many Oaks staff have children at The Oaks. Like you, we entrust our children to their faithful care.
Tim and Leslie Ansett were co-founders of The Oaks. Joel and three siblings are graduates. The Ansett's have long taught a "Parents Academy" class for new families.
Check out (and download) an article that many Oaks families have found helpful over the years: "10 ways to help your child succeed at The Oaks"
It was said in olden times that the medieval banquet was for our students, yet we doth behold many parents, even teachers, at the feast.
Dads on field trip.
Parent-Centered Education
We Teach Students Within Their Families
Parents about to learn if their child can break the board at a Tae Kwon Do workshop.
Shouldn't the title for this section read "Student-Centered Education" instead of "Parent-Centered Education"?
Of course, your children will be our focus, but these are your children. Oaks staff act on your behalf during the school day, but they will refuse any temptation to act in your place. As parents ourselves, we take this scripture as our guide:
"And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You (parents) shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up." (Deut. 6:6-7, NKJV)
Tim and Leslie Ansett were co-founders of The Oaks. Joel and three siblings are graduates. The Ansett's have long taught a "Parents Academy" class for new families.
We do not shirk our privileged responsibility as stewards of your child during school hours. Many Oaks staff have children at The Oaks. Like you, we entrust our children to their faithful care.
Check out (and download) an article that many Oaks families have found helpful over the years: "10 ways to help your child succeed at The Oaks"
It was said in olden times that the medieval banquet was for our students, and so it is, yet we doth behold many parents, even teachers, taking advantage of the occasion, verily, to dress up and share in their child's education.
Prayer and the Academy
Not a Church, But a School
Fellowship between pastors at our annual event for them.
Many Oaks families share their gratitude for intimate spiritual fellowship with Christians from different area churches. However, schools cannot replace churches. We require our staff and urge our families to maintain vital, stable relationships with their churches and pastors.
We are most grateful for the area pastors who send their own children to The Oaks. Pastors past-and-present have taught Old Testament history, doctrine, hermeneutics and apologetics on a part-time basis.
We offer a special welcome to all local pastors to visit the campus once-a-year. A carefully planned half-day program features a detailed update on school practices and vision by our Headmaster.
We are keenly aware that the success of our school depends entirely upon the blessing and providence of our loving God. Weekly men's and women's prayer gatherings bring parents together with staff to seek divine help for specific needs.
All staff meetings, school-wide events and most daily class periods open in prayer, often lead by students (right).
Mr. Dowers shares with pastors.
Prayer to begin class.
Prayer and the Academy
Not a Church, But a School
Fellowship between pastors at our annual event for them.
Many Oaks families share their gratitude for intimate spiritual fellowship with Christians from different area churches. However, schools cannot replace churches. We require our staff and urge our families to maintain vital, stable relationships with their churches and pastors.
We are most grateful for the area pastors who send their own children to The Oaks. Pastors past-and-present have taught Old Testament history, doctrine, hermeneutics and apologetics on a part-time basis.
We offer a special welcome to all local pastors to visit the campus once-a-year. A carefully planned half-day program features a detailed update on school practices and vision by our Headmaster.
Mr. Dowers shares with pastors.
We are keenly aware that the success of our school depends entirely upon the blessing and providence of our loving God. Weekly men's and women's prayer gatherings bring parents together with staff to seek divine help for specific needs.
Prayer to begin class.
All staff meetings, school-wide events and most daily class periods open in prayer, often lead by students (right).
Welcomed From the Beginning
Making a Home for Your Little Ones
The second-grade performs one of several short plays they produce each year.
Moms and dads who drop off their kindergarten or grammar school child on the first day of school experience nearly as many 'butterflies' as their little one. We know. We were those parents!
We schedule an informal picnic for kindergarten students, plus dad-and-mom and siblings, before school opens. All parents of newly enrolled students are invited to a special evening tour when school opens in the fall.
Through a combination of parent-child events, lots of communication home and constant prayer for our students, our staff welcomes and integrates your child into the classroom — not just during the first week, but each week of the school year.
(No class makes more rapid progress than our kindergarten students. By late winter, they consider themselves 'veterans'.)
Melody Kind, Colin Williams and Matt Dykstra welcome very different students.
Welcomed From the Beginning
Making a Home for Your Little Ones
The second-grade performs one of several short plays they produce each year.
Moms and dads who drop off their kindergarten or grammar school child on the first day of school experience nearly as many 'butterflies' as their little one. We know. We were those parents!
The first day of school - ever!
We schedule an informal picnic for kindergarten students, plus dad-and-mom and siblings, before school opens. All parents of newly enrolled students are invited to a special evening tour when school opens in the fall.
Melody Kind and a new Oaks student.
Through a combination of parent-child events, lots of communication home and constant prayer for our students, our staff welcomes and integrates your child into the classroom — not just during the first week, but each week of the school year.
(No class makes more rapid progress than our kindergarten students. By late winter, they consider themselves 'veterans'.)
Zero and Zip visit kindergarten on the 100th day of school!
Discipled by Grace
Preferring Others in Honor by Respect
Ben Palpant leads a class session in Christian literature.
Our own grandparents might be surprised at the number (few) and consequences, when breached (tender) of the school's behavioral expectations:
Looking one another in the eye, greeting visitors in the halls, taking care not to be tardy, addressing peers as well as teachers politely in class and the like.
When discipline is needed, Oaks staff adheres to an explicit process that includes parents, with their child, at every step. We labor and pray in hope of softened and transformed hearts thankful for God's grace - something far greater than mere external conformity.
The Oaks uniform policy exemplifies this goal. Our students are immersed in a culture that provokes distractions on every side. Moderately formal dress reduces social stress, fosters decorum, and eliminates discipline incidents common to other schools.
Opt out of our discipline practices? Though we do not recommend this, your family's methods for applying wise correction must always take precedence over those of any school.
Formal uniforms deserve a Super Bowl exception.
Our staff leads the way by applying The Aroma of Matthew 18 to themselves first.
Discipled by Grace
Preferring Others in Honor by Respect
Ben Palpant leads a class session in Christian literature.
Our own grandparents might be surprised at the number (few) and consequences, when breached (tender) of the school's behavioral expectations:
Looking one another in the eye, greeting visitors in the halls, taking care not to be tardy, addressing peers as well as teachers politely in class and the like.
Our staff leads the way by applying The Aroma of Matthew 18 to themselves first.
When discipline is needed, Oaks staff adheres to an explicit process that includes parents, with their child, at every step. We labor and pray in hope of softened and transformed hearts thankful for God's grace - something far greater than mere external conformity.
Formal uniforms deserve a Super Bowl exception.
The Oaks uniform policy exemplifies this goal. Our students are immersed in a culture that provokes distractions on every side. Moderately formal dress reduces social stress, fosters decorum, and eliminates discipline incidents common to other schools.
Opt out of our discipline practices? Though we do not recommend this, your family's methods for applying wise correction must always take precedence over those of any school.
Transfers Welcome
Tutored For Success
A transfer doing his summer reading before graduating, on schedule, with the Class of 2013
We encourage families to enroll their children as early as possible to take advantage of the educational integration the Trivium makes possible.
For any number of family reasons, though, some parents must enroll their child midstream.
Our staff work closely with new students to support their successful transition to Oaks coursework. When necessary, assignments may be adjusted. Teachers work with you, as parents, to understand classical methods, and their positive impact on your child's education. Above all, we prioritize their joyful social and spiritual integration alongside their new brothers and sisters in Christ.
Students have transferred as late as the tenth grade, and found great success at The Oaks.
Bottom line? We love transfers! Call the office (509-536-5955) and schedule an interview.
(Read this article about transfer student Forrest Andresick, published by the Spokesman-Review)
... the lack of prior Latin never stands in the way of acceptance nor appropriate grade placement.
Dressed for Protocol.
Transfers Welcome
Tutored For Success
A transfer doing his summer reading before graduating, on schedule, with the Class of 2013
We encourage families to enroll their children as early as possible to take advantage of the educational integration the Trivium makes possible.
For any number of family reasons, though, some parents must enroll their child midstream.
... the lack of prior Latin never stands in the way of acceptance nor appropriate grade placement.
Oaks administrators and teachers work with your child to ensure they make a successful transition into each of their new courses.
Our staff work closely with new students to support their successful transition to Oaks coursework. When necessary, assignments may be adjusted. Teachers work with you, as parents, to understand classical methods, and their positive impact on your child's education. Above all, we prioritize their joyful social and spiritual integration alongside their new brothers and sisters in Christ.
Students have transferred as late as the tenth grade, and found great success at The Oaks.
Bottom line? We love transfers! Call the office (509-536-5955) and schedule an interview.
Dressed for Protocol.
(Read this article about transfer student Forrest Andresick, published by the Spokesman-Review)
To College, and Beyond
Learning to Learn Gave Them a Head Start
Alumni sharing a Christmas reunion together.
Our graduates share an extraordinary record of acceptances, scholarships and financial aid awards from the finest universities and colleges across America.
Oaks alumni report that their trivium-centered curriculum gave them skills unknown to their peers. Their ability to read analytically, think logically, solve problems in a true, scientific spirit, and express themselves fluidly affords them a competitive edge across the university curriculum.
Oaks graduates have been given the tools they need to learn how to learn across a lifetime.
Long-time guidance counselor, Lynn Gibson, leads a unique college 'boot camp' just before senior year begins. This offers a practical road map that has helped numerous families gain acceptance to the best possible college for their new graduate.
Three staff families celebrating the graduation of their Oaks students.
To College, and Beyond
Learning to Learn Gave Them a Head Start
Alumni sharing a Christmas reunion together.
Our graduates share an extraordinary record of acceptances, scholarships and financial aid awards from the finest universities and colleges across America.
Oaks alumni report that their trivium-centered curriculum gave them skills unknown to their peers. Their ability to read analytically, think logically, solve problems in a true, scientific spirit, and express themselves fluidly affords them a competitive edge across the university curriculum.
Staff members regularly celebrate the graduation of their children.
Long-time guidance counselor, Lynn Gibson, leads a unique college 'boot camp' just before senior year begins. This offers a practical road map that has helped numerous families gain acceptance to the best possible college for their new graduate.
Raising the Future
The Gift of Each Generation to the Next
Children of alumni gather together to compare notes.
The Oaks has not only grown in numbers since 1996, but in resources. We are so thankful that Valley Fourth Church has invited us to share their wonderful home campus over the past decade.
We? Who is this 'we'?
"We" does not mean the Oaks 'staff', but all of us together who love The Oaks - grandparents, parents, students, alumni, teachers, friends and supporters.
First group photo in 1996-97; some of their children now attend The Oaks, their photo above.
Led by the Oaks board and Headmaster, the school has set a long-term strategy that begins with the education of your children, but reaches across generations to their children and beyond.
We ask, humbly, for your help so that, together, we may glorify God by doing good, true and lasting educational work in the Spokane-Coeur d'Alene region.
Students posing in the shape of an oak tree. Photo given to Bruce and Susan Williams, school founders (spring, 2015).
Raising the Future
The Gift of Each Generation to the Next
Children of alumni gather together to compare notes.
The Oaks has not only grown in numbers since 1996, but in resources. We are so thankful that Valley Fourth Church has invited us to share their wonderful home campus over the past decade.
We? Who is this 'we'?
"We" does not mean the Oaks 'staff', but all of us together who love The Oaks - grandparents, parents, students, alumni, teachers, friends and supporters.
First group photo in 1996-97; some of their children now attend The Oaks, their photo above.
Led by the Oaks board and Headmaster, the school has set a long-term strategy that begins with the education of your children, but reaches across generations to their children and beyond.
Students posing in the shape of an oak tree. Photo given to Bruce and Susan Williams, school founders (spring, 2015).
We ask, humbly, for your help so that, together, we may glorify God by doing good, true and lasting educational work in the Spokane-Coeur d'Alene region.
Financial Aid
We Have a Heart to Help
We do our utmost to provide a first-class education at the lowest-possible cost.
... provides the region's best full-day, K-12 private education at a lower price than all but one other area school?
Our teaching staff leads the way when it comes to personal and family investment. The ratio of dollars spent on staff compared to overhead and facilities is nearly unparalleled for public or private education (right). Even so, most teachers joyfully sacrifice larger income opportunities elsewhere to bless your children here.
Our Board of Directors enroll their own children at The Oaks. They carry the responsibility to ensure the school remains fully solvent. The Oaks has met its budgeted needs every year since its founding in 1996.
You can be fully confident about the future of your family's educational investment.
(Below: the annual Oaks auction raises money for a number of unbudgeted projects, including tuition aid.)
Arik Tedrow, Board Chairman
The Head of Secondary School joins in our annual fund-raiser.
Financial Aid
We Have a Heart to Help
We do our utmost to provide a first-class education at the lowest-possible cost.
... provides the region's best full-day, K-12 private education at a lower price than all but one other area school?
Our teaching staff leads the way when it comes to personal and family investment. The ratio of dollars spent on staff compared to overhead and facilities is nearly unparalleled for public or private education (below). Even so, most teachers joyfully sacrifice larger income opportunities elsewhere to bless your children here.
Arik Tedrow, Board Chairman
Our Board of Directors enroll their own children at The Oaks. They carry the responsibility to ensure the school remains fully solvent. The Oaks has met its budgeted needs every year since its founding in 1996.
You can be fully confident about the future of your family's educational investment.
(Above: the annual Oaks auction raises money for a variety of unbudgeted projects, including tuition aid.)