Whether a student has been at The Oaks since Pre-K or starts their journey later on, there are a few commonalities to their middle school experience. First, it is a big transition for them to start 6th grade and join the middle school campus. Second, they grow and mature exponentially during their time here – academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. Finally, they graduate from The Oaks to attend and excel at some of the best high schools in Indianapolis and colleges across the state and country.

In a note to our Head of School at The Middle School, a student who started in 7th grade reflected on their short time at our school and shared how impactful it was in preparing them for the future. “I can’t express just how much the Oaks has blessed me these past two years through the students and amazing teachers who have impacted my life in so many wonderful ways. Even throughout this crazy pandemic time, this school has done so well in making me feel loved and accepted.”

The student went on to explain how nervous they were to start at The Oaks, but how they instantly felt welcomed and accepted into the “loving community that seems to thrive at the Oaks!” And this was not the first, nor the last, time a student shared how their time in middle school changed their life.

During a 5th grade shadow visit, an administrator recalled an 8th grade student’s response to a question about their favorite class: logic. They explained that it was because Logic helped them to step back before speaking and think critically about what they were going to say, allowing them to reason through it and have confidence when they do speak. The administrator also recalled that this was the response from a student who couldn’t stay on their mat in Pre-K and who was constantly visiting the office in kindergarten. “Now, they are totally different. They have grown so much.”

While there is a similar, remarkable growth and appreciation shown by most students when they leave The Oaks, it is not without growing pains. Middle School is a time of transition and change for them as students and individuals, and our faculty and staff are there to support and help each of them. At The Oaks, we strive to equip each student for the future academically, spiritually, socially, and emotionally so that they can go on to do great things.