ADVANCE OUR CURRICULUM

The Da Vinci Lab will support students’ creativity and entrepreneurial spirit from the youngest ages by providing Elementary Campus students with project-based and design-thinking learning experiences. Our plans include new construction to create a dedicated home for Da Vinci Lab programs and equipment. 

OUTCOMES
> Da Vinci Lab programming started Fall 2021
> Fully-realized Da Vinci Lab opening date to be determined

As the college admissions process becomes more complex, it is necessary to provide additional resources to help ensure that our students are provided with the support to successfully navigate the next phase of their education after leaving Oakwood. The addition of a college counselor reduces the student/counselor ratio and enables the counselor to begin getting to know students earlier in the process. We are also increasing the personalization of academic advising earlier in the High School experience.

OUTCOME
> College Counselor added Fall 2021

Oakwood Advanced Studies offers students in 11th-12th Grades the opportunity to engage in the academic disciplines at significant levels of rigor, inquiry, and depth. Students advance toward mastery through investigation and research that reflects their individual interests, developing a culminating work that extends their learning beyond the classroom. The more than 20 Advanced Studies courses are approved by the University of California as Honors courses. 

OUTCOMES
> Started Fall 2020
> Additional Science, Math & Social Studies Courses in Fall 2022

This three-story building planned for the corner of Magnolia Boulevard and Lemp Avenue will bring our arts facilities up to standards set by the boundless creativity and imagination of our students. Dramatically increasing the quality and size of our spaces for the visual and theater arts, including quadrupling our space for film and video and doubling the size of our theater facilities, the building will also include sustainability features such as solar panels, architecturally-integrated shading, natural ventilation pathways, and a rooftop garden. Our Board is now preparing to approve the project and determine the fundraising goal that will enable us to move this project forward.

OUTCOME
> Arts Building opening date to be determined

Oakwood’s signature Immersion program, during which secondary students step away from their usual classes to take a single mini-course that is hands-on, exploratory, and unrestricted by the boundaries of the classroom, is being re-focused. Beginning in 2022, the Immersion program will focus on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. This will enable students to, in the words of our Statement of Philosophy, “foster a sense of responsibility and humility along with a habit of service and instill a lifelong commitment to social justice.” The program will also focus on the greater Los Angeles region as a context and resource in alignment with our goals of being a school whose walls are increasingly permeable and whose students are active in the communities around us.

OUTCOME
> Immersion program re-focused starting Spring 2022

We have added staff focused on providing academic as well as emotional and social support so students have the personalized tools to be successful at Oakwood. We have increased services at the Study Center at the Secondary Campus to provide students with drop-in support for gaining conceptual understanding across subject areas, managing workload, and building organizational skills. At the Elementary Campus, we are providing additional counseling and mathematics support which has included new approaches for supporting students in expressing their emotions constructively and developing positive, growth-oriented mindsets for math.

OUTCOMES
> Secondary Director of Counseling & Wellness added Fall 2020
> Elementary School Counselor added Fall 2021
> Elementary Math Specialist added Fall 2021
> Elementary Math Lab added Fall 2021

By aligning the content and skills that are taught from the time a student begins their education to when they graduate, we will realize one of the greatest advantages of a K-12 education. Aspects of this work will include increasing the interdisciplinary nature of our curriculum and manifesting diversity, equity and inclusion as central to an excellent educational experience.

OUTCOMES
> Curriculum review started Fall 2021
> Departmentalization of 5th-6th Grades started Fall 2021
> Revised curriculum launching Fall 2023

By acquiring Spanish, our students are deepening their cultural competency, their understanding of difference, and their ability to engage more deeply with the Los Angeles community. Our Spanish program utilizes a multifaceted approach to language acquisition that provides the requisite skills for conversation, reading and writing while also emphasizing history, culture and geography of several Spanish-speaking countries. Literature, art, music and celebrations add a rich texture to the curriculum.

OUTCOMES
> Spanish K-4 started Fall 2021
> Spanish for 5th Grade starting Fall 2022
> Spanish for 6th Grade starting Fall 2023

We are developing ways to integrate computer science and coding into the curriculum for every 7th and 8th grader. All students, not just those that already have an interest or choose to opt in, should be given these integral, 21st century skills.

OUTCOMES
> Enrichment programs added for Robotics in Fall 2021 and Game Design in Spring 2022
> Afterschool opportunity for Middle Schoolers in STEAM/computer science starting Fall 2022
> Middle School computer science and coding curriculum to be implemented Fall 2023 

The Middle School years are some of the most formative and dynamic in a child’s life. We can best support and empower our Middle School students by providing them with interactions, milestones and opportunities for leadership that are distinct.

OUTCOMES
> Separate Middle School lunch period started Fall 2021
> Relaunch of Middle School Newspaper, in-person Debate program, and Middle School affinity spaces 2021-22
> Weekly Middle School enrichment period and after-school enrichment programs, including Middle School Drama Company and Music Production, added 2021-22
> Additional Middle School clubs and enrichment opportunities starting Fall 2022
> 8^th Grade trip experience, starting date to be determined

Providing faculty with training and resources to support them as talented, innovative educators dedicated to authentic, trusting relationships with students.

OUTCOMES
> Reflection on assessment, student feedback, and grading practices to support best and equitable practices
> Professional development for social-emotional learning, equity literacy, and culturally responsive teaching and pedagogy
> Developing common frameworks and language for our anti-racist and anti-bias practices in all aspects of the school
> Supporting innovative curriculum design with a focus on discovery-seeking and experiential learning

The enhancement of the K-12 Athletics program will provide students with a richer array of opportunities to play and learn from sport and competition through increased collaboration between the elementary and secondary campuses. In addition, athletics have a unique power to forge relationships, both among teammates and across the broader community in the form of school spirit. We seek to deepen the role athletics has in bringing the Oakwood community together by increasing attendance and providing opportunities for fans to view games remotely.

OUTCOMES
> Athletics for 4th Grade added Fall 2021
> Livestreaming games started Fall 2022

Acquiring a sports field that will enable consistent access is a top priority. The ideal field will provide practice facilities for multiple sports (e.g. soccer, softball, baseball, tennis, physical education).

OUTCOME
> Owls Athletics Field opening date to be determined