What are your COVID policies?
We follow CDC guidelines for COVID. This means we are taking careful measures to ensure the safety of our children and teachers including: frequent hand washing, and daily classroom cleanings. We do not require our children to wear masks, however, because of the social-emotional implications as well as the developmental implications on learning language, empathy, and relationship. We do require vaccinations for our children and teachers, with exceptions for those who have a proven exemption. This is for the safety of our small student population, our teachers and staff, their families, and the aging population we share a building with.
Why are you in a church building? Are you religious?
We are a non-religious, holistic-based, independent school located in a church, because we are renting from them. The space offers us everything we wanted including a beautiful playground, lots of open space outdoors, use of a kitchen, and large classrooms. We are grateful to be in this wonderful space!
What does small class size mean?
We are planning about a 10-1, student/teacher ratio which gives us the flexibility to ensure each child is truly having an individualized experience based on their innate curiosity and wonder. With limited space, we plan on having around 38 children in the entire school. We have four teachers on staff, plus aids, which enables each child to explore their interests while mastering the intellectual skills needed for life.
Unlike traditional schools or Montessori schools, where there are regularly about 30 kids per class, we have small class sizes because we value the power of relationships. When a child feels connected to a trusted adult, they are automatically empowered to explore and expand easier because they are safely held within the container of the relationship. As you know: when we feel good, we do better.
What kind of metrics do you use? Are standardized tests involved?
(Only applicable to the Kinder - 1st class ) We do not standardize test at The Oak School. However, we do a progressive metrics assessment on each child 2-3 times over the course of the year. This way we can track how each child is progressing in the core foundations of reading, math, and writing. A full picture of the child’s academic progress is necessary for the teacher, and uses that information to meet the child where they are currently.
We also are measuring the child’s social/emotional growth throughout the year, something not many school’s are doing in our country. As a holistic school, we value the emotional and social aspects we all inherently possess as important sources of intelligence, alongside rigorous academic growth. These aspects are all important, and give us a full picture of your child’s whole development.
What does “individualized curriculum” mean?
(Only applicable to the Kinder - 1st class )The Oak School is a project based school, where each child chooses what they want to learn about (child-led). What this means is a child may want to build a model of a solar powered car, for example. Within that project, the teacher is able to facilitate individually appropriate reading, math, writing, science, social studies, and art into the process of building the final model. The final project and subsequent learning materials are then added to the child’s portfolio for the year.
There are three main avenues your tuition payments go towards at The Oak School. First, as a holistic school, we prioritize the whole picture of not only our students, but also our teachers. We pay our teachers competitive salaries to public schools and living wages for the Denver metro area. Because we value the whole, it is our priority to contribute to the whole health of each teacher, so they may live a full and happy life. We value their important contribution to each of our families as well as honor them as the stewards of the next generation.
Second, with the many and varied projects the children pursue, we make sure we have on hand — and if we don’t, we procure them — the supplies and resources they need to create their projects and pursue their interests.
Finally, the day to day operation of the school is a critical aspect of your tuition payment, so we can ensure a safe, loving, cozy and nurturing environment for all.
What does my child’s tuition cover?
We are offering After Care and need 10 families to participate make it viable.
The details are:
After care: 1-4pm daily, 5 days a week.
The cost is $500 per month.
Please make sure to let us know if you’re interested in this option so we can make it happen for you!