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Alumni of The Oaks: Extended Content

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The Benefits of a Rigorous Curriculum

One of the biggest things I’m sure most of us ask as students is ‘Why are we taking Latin?’ Everybody always wonders that, but then I actually ended up taking it throughout high school too. I tried Spanish but I didn’t like it because I didn’t want to speak it, just read and write it which I was good at with Latin anyway. Latin in high school was the only time I set the curve on a test, and I felt so proud of myself. Plus, I got to go to Italy because I studied Latin, so that paid off!

I was exposed to things that other kids my age weren’t exposed to and I realized that when I got to high school. There were certain things, like the way I thought and the way I approached situations, that were very different. I credit that to the way we learned things at The Oaks, because I didn’t think like everybody else.

The Impact of Specials

Art was by far my favorite; even in high school, I took an art class every semester. Mrs. Stark was the art teacher my entire time at The Oaks and we did some cool stuff. I actually still have some of my artwork on my walls in my bedroom at home, and I still have my nature book. That was when I actually realized I was good at art.

I never really tapped into it until I started to do a bunch of stuff at The Oaks, and I realized ‘Oh, I’m actually really good at this.’ The first thing I did that was really good was when we went to Crown Hill and painted a giant Oak tree with watercolors. That was when my teacher told me ‘Amaris, that’s really good,’ and I was like, ‘You’re right.’ I was just painting with headphones in and I was super zoned in to it. I painted a whole tree in that 20-30 minutes that we had. I discovered all of my skills at The Oaks because they stimulated our little brains.

The Importance of Relationships

One day when I was working at Outback Steakhouse in the ‘To Go’ area, one of the servers said their table asked for me. They didn’t know who it was and I thought it was weird but I went over there. I turned the corner and before he even said a word, I recognized him! It was Mr. Tony, the janitor at The Oaks from 1st-8th grade when I was there.

I still remembered him, and he remembered me! He said, ‘I knew that was you, Amaris.’ I didn’t even know the janitors at my job, but I remembered the janitor from The Oaks. At The Oaks, literally every single person is instrumental in the students’ lives. Every person, every teacher, every faculty member.

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School Life

1 Million Minutes: Kicking Off Our Tech-Free Challenge

The Oaks Academy has launched the 1 Million Minutes Challenge, inviting students to enjoy tech-free activities that foster creativity and connection while raising funds for campus improvements. With a goal of 1 million minutes of screen-free time, donations made in students’ honor will be matched to support playground and facility enhancements.

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Alumni

Alumni of The Oaks: Jonathan Burris, Class of ’15

Jonathan recently returned to The Oaks as a soccer coach, reflecting on how the school’s dedication to growth, faith, and learning shaped him both in and out of the classroom. Hear about Jonathan’s favorite memories from field trips to the basketball court — and why he’s excited to give back to his alma mater!

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Have Questions?

Change is always challenging, especially when it may effect your children. Please share any questions or comments you have using the form below, or by emailing me directly at ahart@theoaksacademy.org.

I’ll respond to your inquiry directly and as quickly as I can.