A child must be four years old by August 1 of the year he or she would begin Pre-Kindergarten and five years old by August 1 of the year he or she would begin Kindergarten. Our school meets five days a week and you may choose either a full or half day program for both the Pre-K and Kindergarten grade levels. 

While many students’ birth dates fall close to the August 1^st deadline, we adhere strictly to this deadline to maximize student success.

The Oaks Academy is home to 3 wonderful campus locations: Brookside, Fall Creek, and Martindale-Brightwood (home of our Early Education Center and Middle School). 

Students entering grades Kindergarten to 5th Grade are able to select a preferred lower school campus location (Fall Creek or Brookside) during the application process. You will be considered only for the campus location you choose unless you notify us otherwise. Students applying to Pre-Kindergarten will select a preferred future campus during the application for the purpose of class placement.  

The Oaks Academy is a Christ-centered school, though it is not partnered with any specific church or denomination. While faculty and staff sign a statement of faith as part of employment, families do not have to subscribe to any faith. 

By mission, The Oaks Academy maintains a racially and socioeconomically diverse student body. Learn more here.

We fill each classroom to a maximum of 16 in the Early Education Center, 18 in the Lower Schools (Kindergarten – 5th grade), and around 20 in the Middle School.

Classes in the Early Education Center and Kindergarten classes have two full day teachers (1 lead teacher and 1 instructional assistant). Classes in 1st through 5th grades share an assistant for the grade level.

Yes! Financial assistance is awarded by The Oaks Academy if a student meets the criteria for admittance and family need is demonstrated through the FACTS application process. Recipients of financial assistance must apply each year if aid is desired for more than one academic year.

To be considered for financial assistance, families complete the FACTS Tuition Aid application form along with submitting required income disclosure documents. In order to receive financial aid, please submit your financial aid application as soon as possible after your admissions application so that your financial aid award included in your offer letter is accurate.

Families are able to use the online Financial Aid Calculator before applying to The Oaks Academy. The Financial Aid Calculator provides an estimated award for returning and prospective students. All values provided are estimates only and are subject to income verification through our online FACTS application.

Admissions testing allows us to compare applicants to our current students and helps us to determine if there is a good fit. Students must be grade level ready to gain admission to The Oaks Academy. Admission Assessments are only one part of the application process; the application in its entirety – grades, visits and the Admission Assessment – are reviewed by the Admissions Committee. There are different Admissions Assessments based on the grade level.

*Admission testing may be waived depending on the student’s current and former standardized test results. Please contact the Admissions Office to find out if your child is able to opt out of admission testing based on his/her current standardized scores.

Early Education – Pre-Kindergarten
Students applying for Pre-Kindergarten will participate in a 45 – 60 minute small group readiness assessment with our Early Education faculty. 

Early Education – Kindergarten
Students applying for Kindergarten are asked to participate in a one-on-one 45 – 60 minute readiness assessment with our Early Education faculty. 

Early Education – First Grade
Students applying for 1st grade will be scheduled for a 1:1 assessment with one of our 1st grade instructors. The assessment will evaluate readiness to enter at the first-grade level. Parents are typically notified of the results directly after the assessment.

Lower School – Second through Fifth Grades
Students applying for 2nd through 5th grades will take the NWEA Admissions Assessment. Prospective students should be prepared to successfully pass an assessment screening in Reading Comprehension and Mathematics. A writing sample is also collected as part of the assessment. Parents are notified of the results within one week of the assessment.

Middle School – Sixth through Eighth Grades
Students applying for 6th through 8th grades will take the NWEA Admissions Assessment. Prospective students should be prepared to successfully pass the admissions screen in Reading Comprehension and Mathematics. A writing sample is also collected as part of the assessment. Parents are notified of the results within two weeks of the assessment.

Students entering 4th through 8th grades are able to visit for a full day and shadow at their current grade level. By shadowing at their current grade level, the student is able and expected to work alongside the other students in class. 

The full day begins and ends just within the typical hours of the school day. Students are encouraged to bring a notebook, pencil/pen, and a grade level reading book. The student will work alongside their peers, attend any of the special classes (art, PE, music, etc.), and participate in lunch and recess. Lunch is provided or the student may bring their own.

If you are interested in having your child participate in a shadow visit, please contact the Admissions Team.

Applications that are complete and received by December 1st will be considered for priority placement at any grade level.  Completed applications are:

Pre-K and Kindergarten:

• Application, Birth Certificate, and Immunizations submitted to the Admissions Office
• Pre-scheduled readiness assessment for your child

First Grade:

• Application, Birth Certificate, and Immunizations submitted to the Admissions Office
• Academic Assessment indicating grade level readiness

Second through Eighth Grade:

• Application, Birth Certificate, and Immunizations submitted to the Admissions Office
• Academic records including current and former year grades AND standardized scores
• NWEA Admissions Assessment indicating grade level readiness

Applicants for Early Decision (deadline December 1st) will be notified by the end of January.

Applicants for Regular Decision (deadline March 1st) will be notified in April.

*If you are applying for financial assistance please note the deadlines. All offers will include financial aid decisions.

Yes, especially at natural entry points. Historically students enter The Oaks Academy in Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and 6th grade. At those grade levels, we will normally have a wait pool during the admissions cycle. 

The wait pool is comprised of those applicants who have completed all the steps of admission, and are qualified for admission, but for whom we don’t have a spot. The wait pool is ordered by the date of the completed application. A complete application consists of all required documents including: application, birth certificate, immunizations, admission assessments, standardized scores, and grades.

The wait pool does not carry over from year to year. Families in the wait pool who do not receive an admission offer are asked at the start of the admissions process if they would like to re-apply when applications open for the next year.

Yes, however, every applicant must follow the same requirements and deadlines regardless of sibling status. The Oaks does not reserve seats for siblings of current students and may be placed on the waitlist if they are late submitting their new student application.

We are excited to share information about our school with you! Please contact our office, join our email list, or attend any of our admission events.