Frequently Asked Questions
Founding
The Oaks was founded in 1996 by four families convinced that cooperative, structured, Christian education, based on the trivium model, would best serve their children and honor God.
These founding families served as Board Directors, teachers and assistants, led for 18 years by Headmaster Bruce Williams. Today, some of their children fill staff positions at The Oaks, with grandchildren enrolled as Oaks students.
Mission
Teach all subjects in the curriculum as part of an integrated whole with the Scriptures at the center (II Timothy 3:16-17).
Provide a clear model of Biblical Christian life through the school staff and board (Matthew 22:37-40).
Encourage every student to begin to develop a personal relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:18-20)
Biblical Confessions
The Oaks distinguishes between primary and secondary doctrinal confessions. Our teaching staff subscribes to all primary doctrines and teaches them across the curriculum. Secondary doctrines may be introduced as appropriate, and are welcome subjects for debate, subject to Christian charity and forbearance.
Board of Directors
Relying on the Carver governance model, The Oaks Board defines school mission, values, goals, and strategy, while delegating flexible authority to the Head of School to carry out these objectives.
Current Board members include Travis Harken (President), Craig Schurter (Vice President), Shawn Van Horn (Secretary), Joe Cvancara (Member) and Merrill Miller (Member). All have children that are enrolled or have graduated from the school.
Budget & Resources
The Oaks has met its budget requirements every year since its founding in 1996. The 2019-20 budget exceeds 2.7M dollars, and is divided between staff compensation (82%), general overhead (12%) and facilities (6%).
We are grateful for a favorable long-term leasing agreement with Valley Fourth Church, and their generous encouragement for our growing need for space.
Our near-term budgetary goal focuses on increasing our capacity to offer finanical need to qualifying families of enrolled students.
School Administration
Headmaster Charlie Dowers, and Deans of School, Corey McEachran (Grammar) and Ken Trotter (Logic & Rhetoric) lead a diverse administrative staff to support teachers, expand student services, and carry out future growth.
See Contacts page for more information.
Teaching Staff
Our teaching staff averages 9 years of Oaks experience, and 15 years of teaching experience overall. Fourteen possess Master Degrees, and several have published books.
The Board's dedication to making career-length teaching feasible for full-time teachers has yielded an unusually low turnover-rate.
See Staff page for more information.
Educational Model
The Oaks follows a two-millennia long. well-proven classical Christian education model that integrates the trivium across the K-12 curriculum. We scale its three stages (grammar, logic, and rhetoric) to the developmental maturity of students.
The Oaks offers the following honors-level courses: Calculus I, Calculus II, Physics, Rhetoric I, Rhetoric II, and Christian Literature.
A short book written by Dorothy Sayers, The Tools of Learning, serves as a readable introduction to classical education.
Browse our list of valuable books on classical education.
Athletics
Cross-Country (Boys, Girls, grades 1-8)
Soccer (Boys, grades 9-12, varsity)
Volleyball (Girls, grades 7-12, varsity, junior varsity, junior high)
Basketball (Boys, grades 7-12, varsity, junior varsity, junior high)
Basketball (Girls, grades 7-12, varsity, junior varsity, junior high)
Sudents may participate, by arrangement, in varsity sports at area public high schools. Contact Colin Williams (Athletic Director) through the office for more information.
Visit the athletics page for news and schedules.
Distinctives
The Oaks supports students with a number of unique academic, spiritual and social opportunities.
These include training in parts singing, memorization, cursive penmanship, speech recitation, math competitions, writing skills, debate, logic, string ensembles, advanced chorale, group conversation, science fairs, talent shows, etiquette, an annual history emphasis week, school ball and, as capstones, a European Grand Tour (seniors) as well as publicly presented theses (juniors and seniors).
Accreditation
The Oaks is fully accredited through the Association of Classical & Christian Schools (ACCS).
There are approximately 275 ACCS member schools in 43 states, and 8 nations. Of these, only 38 schools besides The Oaks have achieved accreditation status.
Our Head of School serves on ACCS accreditation teams that qualify other ACCS schools.
Contacts
Oaks Office
11711 E 24th Ave
Spokane Valley, WA 99206
(ph) 509-536-5955
office@theoakscca.org
office hours: Monday to Friday, 7:45 AM to 4:00 PM
See map to our campus
School Hours
School Hours: 8:30 am to 3:00 pm
AM Kindergarten: 8:30 am to 11:30 am
PM Kindergarten: 12:00 am to 3:00 pm
Our website home page announces school closings.
Student Body
The Oaks has enrolled 355 students in grades K-12 for the 2021-22 academic year. These students represent approximately 193 families, who attend over 70 different area churches.
The ratio of teachers to students in the secondary grades is 1:8. Larger elementary classrooms include teaching assistants, and weekly classes in science, art, music, and Latin taught by secondary teachers.
Dedicated tutors, including former Oaks teachers, work on campus with students needing additional support.
Browse our newsletters or the Glass Wall Blog to learn more about our students.
Enrollment Process
1. Tour The Oaks and meet with one of our Administrators.
2. Submit an application.
3. Schedule your child for assessment testing.
4. Interview with the Administrators.
5. Celebrate acceptance!
6. Enroll your new student.
Our strategic plan anticipates annual enrollment growth over the coming decade, but some grades are filled ahead of others. We encourage timely contact with the office to ensure your child's consideration.
Families & Community
Oaks students represent approximately 193 families, who attend nearly 70 different churches in Spokane, Post Falls and Coeur d'Alene.
We place great emphasis on the biblical responsibility of parents for the education of their children, as well as the priority of churches over schools to meet spiritual needs.
Subject to those priorities, many families share fellowship, prayer and volunteer activities across a wide range of school classes and events. Participation by grandparents and family friends is warmly welcomed.
Graduates & Alumni
Cumulative average SAT scores of Oaks’ seniors rank among those of the state's top high schools. Nearly 97% of our 238 graduates to-date have attended 79 different colleges and universities - 81% out-of-state.
Students have attended outstanding Christian institutions, including Baylor, Biola, New St. Andrews College, Wheaton College, Grove City College, Lipscomb University, LeTourneau University, Cedarville University, and The King's College.
Students have also matriculated at the nation's best universities. These include Harvard, Dartmouth, Stanford, Duke, the University of Washington, and the United States Military Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, and the University of Southern California.
40% of Oaks’ graduates have gone into engineering, science, and medical fields.
Latin Studies
Latin studies currently span students from third through tenth grade. We structure a range of individualized tutoring options for transfer students to help them link up to their classmates.
Our program is gradually gaining national recognition among other classical schools. We are currently sending staff to Rome for immersive summer training at the world-renowned Accademia Vivarium Novum.
Theatre, Music & Art
The Oaks K-12 music program trains all students to read music and sing parts. This climaxes with school-wide chorale singing at the opening and close of each school week. Interested students may also participate in instrumental and band studies.
The Oaks has crafted a remarkably accomplished theatre program over the past 15 years. Productions have ranged from Shakespeare (Twelfth Night) to classic musicals (Oliver, Fiddler on the Roof, The Sound of Music, and Beauty and the Beast and others). Fall plays afford dedicated opportunities for younger students.
The art program teaches grammar-age students the facts and rules of art. This work is picked up again in seventh and eighth grade, as well as during the junior and senior years of high school.
See the Student Life page for information on these and other student activities.
The Oaks Christian Conservatory
The Oaks Christian Conservatory commenced classes in the fall of 2016 with the mission of creating to the glory of God, conserving knowledge of artistic skills by passing them on to the next generation, and inviting the broader community to celebrate, understand, and enjoy the arts.
Visit the Conservatory website to sign-up for current classes.
Supporting The Oaks
The Oaks welcomes tax-deductible donations to support both immediate and long-term program goals. Our families have shared many wonderful testimonies over two decades of God's miraculous provision through other Oaks families who were completely unaware of the need or, often, the specific, life-changing impact of their gifts.
We encourage our community to place interested persons in touch with out Headmaster, so they may learn more about our vision for The Oaks and God's purpose and blessing upon their investment in the school.
Donate online at "Oaks Giving."
See (and join) our family of corporate sponsors!
The Oaks Classical and Christian Academy at a Glance
Contacts
Oaks Office
2303 S Bowdish Rd
Spokane Valley, WA 99206
mail: PO Box 141146, Spokane Valley, WA 99214
(ph) 509-536-5955
office@theoakscca.org
office hours: Monday to Friday, 7:45 AM to 3:45 PM
See map to our campus
School Hours
School Hours: 8:00 am to 2:45 pm
AM Kindergarten: 8:00 am to 11:00 am
PM Kindergarten: 11:00 am to 2:45 pm
Our website home page announces school closings.
Student Body
The Oaks has enrolled 332 students in grades K-12 for the 2019-20 academic year. These students represent approximately 193 families, who attend over 60 different area churches.
The ratio of teachers to students in the secondary grades is 1:10. Larger elementary classrooms include teaching assistants, and weekly classes in science, art, music, and Latin taught by secondary teachers.
Dedicated tutors, including former Oaks teachers, work on campus with students needing additional support.
Browse our newsletters or the Glass Wall Blog to learn more about our students.
Enrollment Process
1. Tour The Oaks and meet with one of our Administrators.
2. Submit an application.
3. Schedule your child for assessment testing.
4. Interview with our Administrators.
5. Celebrate acceptance!
6. Enroll your new student.
Our strategic plan anticipates annual enrollment growth over the coming decade, but some grades are filled ahead of others. We encourage timely contact with the office to ensure your child's consideration.
Families & Community
Oaks students represent approximately 193 families, who attend nearly 60 different churches in Spokane, Post Falls and Coeur d'Alene.
We place great emphasis on the biblical responsibility of parents for the education of their children, as well as the priority of churches over schools to meet spiritual needs.
Subject to those priorities, many families share fellowship, prayer and volunteer activities across a wide range of school classes and events. Participation by grandparents and family friends is warmly welcomed.
Graduates & Alumni
Cumulative average SAT scores of Oaks’ seniors rank among those of the state's top high schools. Nearly 97% of our 238 graduates to-date have attended 79 different colleges and universities - 81% out-of-state.
Students have attended outstanding Christian institutions, including Baylor, Biola, New St. Andrews College, Wheaton College, Grove City College, Lipscomb University, LeTourneau University, Cedarville University, and The King's College.
Students have also matriculated at the nation's best universities. These include Harvard, Dartmouth, Stanford, Duke, the University of Washington, and the United States Military Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, and the University of Southern California.
40% of Oaks’ graduates have gone into engineering, science, and medical fields.
Founding
The Oaks was founded in 1996 by four home-schooling families convinced that cooperative, formal classical education, based on the trivium model, would best serve their children and honor God.
These founding families served as Board Directors, teachers and assistants, led for 18 years by Headmaster Bruce Williams. Today, some of their children fill staff positions at The Oaks, with grandchildren enrolled as Oaks students.
Mission
Teach all subjects in the curriculum as part of an integrated whole with the Scriptures at the center (II Timothy 3:16-17).
Provide a clear model of Biblical Christian life through the school staff and board (Matthew 22:37-40).
Encourage every student to begin to develop a personal relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:18-20)
Biblical Confessions
The Oaks distinguishes between primary and secondary doctrinal confessions. Our teaching staff subscribes to all primary doctrines and teaches them across the curriculum. Secondary doctrines may be introduced as appropriate, and are welcome subjects for debate, subject to Christian charity and forbearance.
Board of Directors
Relying on the Carver governance model, The Oaks Board defines school mission, values, goals, and strategy, while delegating flexible authority to the Headmaster to carry out these objectives.
Current Board members include Travis Harken (President), Merrill Miller (Vice President), Shawn Van Horn (Secretary), Joe Cvancara (Member), and Rodney Kleyn (Member). All have children that are enrolled or have graduated from the school.
Budget & Resources
The Oaks has met its budget requirements every year since its founding in 1996. The 2017-18 budget exceeds 2.25M dollars, and is divided between staff compensation (85%), general overhead (10%) and facilities (5%).
We are grateful for a favorable long-term leasing agreement with Valley Fourth Church, and their generous encouragement for our growing need for space.
Our near-term budgetary goal focuses on increasing our capacity to offer finanical need to qualifying families of enrolled students.
School Administration
Headmaster Charlie Dowers, and Deans of School, Corey McEachran (Grammar) and Ken Trotter (Logic & Rhetoric) lead a diverse administrative staff to support teachers, expand student services, and carry out future growth.
See Contacts page for more information.
Teaching Staff
Our teaching staff averages 9 years of Oaks experience, and 15 years of teaching experience overall. Thirteen possess Master Degrees, and several have published books.
The Board's dedication to making career-length teaching feasible for full-time teachers has yielded an unusually low turnover-rate.
See Staff page for more information.
Educational Model
The Oaks follows a two-millennia long. well-proven classical Christian education model that integrates the trivium across the K-12 curriculum. We scale its three stages (grammar, logic, and rhetoric) to the developmental maturity of students.
The Oaks offers the following honors-level courses: Calculus I, Calculus II, Physics, Rhetoric I, Rhetoric II, and Christian Literature.
A short book written by Dorothy Sayers, The Tools of Learning, serves as a readable introduction to classical education.
Browse our list of valuable books on classical education.
Athletics
Cross-Country (Boys, Girls, grades 1-8)
Soccer (Boys, grades 9-12, varsity)
Volleyball (Girls, grades 7-12, varsity, junior varsity, junior high)
Basketball (Boys, grades 7-12, varsity, junior varsity, junior high)
Basketball (Girls, grades 7-12, varsity, junior varsity, junior high)
Sudents may participate, by arrangement, in varsity sports at area public high schools. Contact Scott Welch (Athletic Director) through the office for more information.
Visit the athletics page for news and schedules.
Distinctives
The Oaks supports students with a number of unique academic, spiritual and social opportunities.
These include training in parts singing (cantabile, all students), memorization (using Proverbs for younger students), cursive penmanship, speech recitation, math competitions, writing skills (Progymnasmata), debate, classical logic, string ensembles, advanced chorale, group conversation (Harkness method), science fairs, talent shows, classical etiquette (Protocol), an annual history emphasis week, school ball and, as capstones, a European Grand Tour(juniors) as well as publicly presented theses (juniors and seniors).
Latin Studies
Latin studies currently span students from third through tenth grade. We structure a range of individualized tutoring options for transfer students to help them link up to their classmates.
Our program is gradually gaining national recognition among other classical schools. We are currently sending staff to Rome for immersive summer training at the world-renowned Accademia Vivarium Novum.
Theatre, Music & Art
The Oaks K-12 music program trains all students to read music and sing parts. This climaxes with school-wide chorale singing at the opening and close of each school week. Interested students may also participate in instrumental and band studies.
The Oaks has crafted a remarkably accomplished theatre program over the past 15 years. Productions have ranged from Shakespeare (Twelfth Night) to classic musicals (Oliver, Fiddler on the Roof, The Sound of Music, and Beauty and the Beast and others). Fall plays afford dedicated opportunities for younger students.
The art program teaches grammar-age students the facts and rules of art. This work is picked up again in seventh and eighth grade, as well as during the junior and senior years of high school.
See the Student Life page for information on these and other student activities.
The Oaks Christian Conservatory
The Oaks Christian Conservatory commenced classes in the fall of 2017 with the mission of creating to the glory of God, conserving knowledge of artistic skills by passing them on to the next generation, and inviting the broader community to celebrate, understand, and enjoy the arts.
Visit the Conservatory website to sign-up for current classes.
Accreditation
The Oaks is fully accredited through the Association of Classical & Christian Schools (ACCS).
There are approximately 275 ACCS member schools in 43 states, and 8 nations. Of these, only 38 schools besides The Oaks have achieved accreditation status.
Our Headmaster serves on ACCS accreditation teams that qualify other ACCS schools.
Supporting The Oaks
The Oaks welcomes tax-deductible donations to support both immediate and long-term program goals. Our families have shared many wonderful testimonies over two decades of God's miraculous provision through other Oaks families who were completely unaware of the need or, often, the specific, life-changing impact of their gifts.
We encourage our community to place interested persons in touch with out Headmaster, so they may learn more about our vision for The Oaks and God's purpose and blessing upon their investment in the school.
Donate online at "Oaks Giving."
See (and join) our family of corporate sponsors!