Distinctives 

 

Christ-Centered

What is the difference between a good education and a great education? We believe that a GREAT education inspires students to pursue the Truth and understand the world around them. At Oak Grove we recognize that the pursuit of Truth is not a subjective venture. Rather, all truth belongs to and stems from God. Pointing students to their compass, the Word of God, is the only way they will discern truth from error, right from wrong, and good from evil. Because all learning is premised on a defined world view, Oak Grove seeks to present language, history, science and the arts as tools through which we learn more of God’s character and His design of our world.

Classical Approach

For centuries, a classical philosophy of education has informed the education of children and inspired them to think and learn for themselves. The founders of this Republic and its great thinkers were educated under the influence of classical education. Only in the past century did the mainstream of educators in Western civilization depart from this vision. By structuring the curriculum around the Trivium, classical education focuses on critical thinking skills, the classic languages, Latin and Greek, and a defined body of content knowledge. The Trivium capitalizes on age appropriate strengths of students at each of three primary stages of development:

- Grammar/Knowledge Stage (K-5th grade): Students grasp the basic building blocks foundational to life-long learning by applying meaningful memorization and mastery of content knowledge. Focus is placed on delivery of factual information through poetry, vocabulary, mathematics, literature, geography and historical narrative.

- Logic/Understanding Stage (6-9th grade): Students critically analyze more complex issues applying the difficult “why” and “how” questions to each subject area. Studying formal logic, they develop reasoning skills, recognize and avoid invalid conclusions, and construct persuasive arguments.

- Rhetoric/Wisdom Phase (10-12th grade): Students emphasize the integration of academic content by understanding the connections between bodies of knowledge and building the power of persuasion within the world of ideas. Based on the knowledge and reasoning skills developed through the grammar and logic stages, students culminate their academic experience by applying the art of both written and spoken presentation.

Partnership

Premised on a biblical foundation, we believe parents to be the child’s first and most influential teachers (Deuteronomy 6 and Ephesians 6:4). Because parents are the single most influential factor in a child’s emotional, social, and spiritual development, Oak Grove seeks to become partners with parents in their God-given task to teach their children spiritually, academically, and physically. The University-Model provides parents the tools of time, curricular flexibility and academic expertise in order for them to be confident and effective co-teachers.

Cultivation of Delight and Wonder

At Oak Grove, our goal is to challenge our students without exasperating them. While we will maintain rigorous academic standards for our students, we will foster joy in learning through connecting their classroom efforts with hands-on activities, real-life experiences, field trips, and special academic events. A classical education should not be rigid or dull, but full of life! We want our children to not only learn, but to love learning.

 

“I believe Oak Grove is truly an instrument of the Lord to spread the Gospel and have the Word and the Truth burned into our children’s heart, and they will in turn influence the next generation.  I have a great passion for the school.  I see the great need for God’s truth to be instilled in us from the time we are children.” – Rita

“I have become truly impassioned for this model of classical education. Having experienced it from a teachers standpoint thus far, I can affirm the effectiveness of the teacher/co-teacher system and confess that it has quelled any reservations I had about the prospect of homeschooling as a parent in the future. The ethos created by the gospel-centered, classical curriculum and the supportive community of staff and teachers is what makes Oak Grove truly shine against other lackluster options for education.” – Mrs. Schneeberger

“Our experience at Oak Grove has been so positive.  After our year in public school, I am thrilled that my child has a chance to learn amazing things while having enough time to be a kid.  The flexible schedule has been a huge blessing to our family.  Christ being the center of our kids’ education has been the icing on the cake!” – Leslie

“Oak Grove has been such a blessing to our family! We are so grateful to partner with Oak Grove, its teachers, and staff to ‘raise up’ our children. The solid Christian teachings, the superb classical education, and the lifestyle and quality time that a university model school allows for our family is a perfect match. We are so grateful for their expertise in curriculum choices, the ’sharing’ in the education of our children, and the opportunity to maintain quality time and the high level of parental involvement that we desire.  This model provides other wonderful influences in our children’s lives while keeping us as the primary educators and influencers in their lives. We firmly believe that the ‘at school’ and the ‘at home’ education are mixing to develop character as well as providing an unsurpassed education for our children.” – Tammy

“My kids are always excited to go to school, and I am always excited to home school.  It truly is the best of both worlds.” – Heather

“Oak Grove is a wonderful and nurturing environment that provides an invaluable education both academically and spiritually.  I am my children’s primary source of influence, while they enjoy the benefits of a high caliber private education and the spiritual covering of home school.” – Brian

“Our oldest child went to public school last year and we really felt that she missed out on a lot of family time.  We are so thankful for Oak Grove and its UM because it has given us more time together as a family.  We have been completely satisfied by the academic standads, and feel like our children are getting an amazing education!” – Carrie

“After researching the options available to us, OGCA was the best match for us. Oak Grove gives our kids the consistency and discipline of being in a classroom, as well as gives me the opportunity to work with my child and know exactly how she is performing. The teachers and staff have been such a blessing to us. We couldn’t ask for a better school.” – Pamela

- Testimonials