Discovering the Perfect Fit: Two Families’ Paths to The Oaks Academy
Discover how two families found their perfect fit at The Oaks Academy, where faith, community, and academic excellence create a nurturing environment for their children to thrive.
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One aspect that makes an Oaks Academy education unique is the integration of habit formation into the student’s education. Habits are deeply-rooted patterns of behavior and can be helpful or harmful. The Oaks helps our students create worthwhile habits so they can develop the skills necessary to excel in their future endeavors.
Habit formation at The Oaks is closely tied to the core values of relationship and the personhood of the child. Habits provide Oaks Academy students with a solid foundation for intellectual, spiritual, and physical development. By forming healthy habits, every child becomes capable of the duty and delight of learning.
Like many aspects of an Oaks education, habit formation is influenced by the work of Charlotte Mason, a 19th century educator and reformer. According to Mason in her book Home Education, the will of children must be trained by habit.
The will controls our passions and our yearnings, which sometimes interferes with doing what we ought to do. Most children are weak-willed at first:
“The will of the child is pitifully feeble … but hardly ever to be counted upon as a power in education.”
The will must be strengthened so the child is not ruled by passion and can properly learn. Habits can strengthen the will.
“But observe, the passions, the desires, the appetites, are there already, and the will gathers force and vigor only as it is exercised in the repression and direction of these; for though the will appears to be of purely spiritual nature, yet it behaves like any member of the body in this––that it becomes vigorous and capable in proportion as it is duly nourished and fitly employed.”
The Oaks teaches 12 habits in total, introducing 4 new habits in Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, and 6th Grade. To learn more about habit formation at The Oaks Academy, explore our website, view the list of habits, and Get to Know The Oaks by signing up for a virtual admissions event!
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Discover how two families found their perfect fit at The Oaks Academy, where faith, community, and academic excellence create a nurturing environment for their children to thrive.
Alumni Alex and Olivia (Pletcher) Kortepeter reconnected years after their time at The Oaks Academy and recently married on June 16, 2024. They share about their journey, reflecting on how The Oaks’ focus on faith, community, and personal growth influenced their lives.
The Oaks Academy is launching Rooted & Rising, a $25 million campaign aimed at elevating the student experience, enhancing our school spaces, and establishing an endowment to meet the emerging needs of our students and secure our future.
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.