The Million Minutes Challenge

Kicking Off Our Tech-Free Challenge

Last year, we launched the 1 Million Minutes Challenge, a month-long initiative encouraging students to trade screen time for enriching activities like reading, sports, art, and play. Families and friends rallied behind our students’ tech-free goals, and thanks to their generosity, we upgraded both Lower School playgrounds, and construction began on the new Martindale-Brightwood athletic and multipurpose facility. (See our one-year update here!)

We’re grateful for the impact already made and excited for this year’s challenge.

This Year’s Goal: 1.5 Million Minutes

Throughout November, students are committing to reach 1.5 million minutes of tech-free time. Each minute logged helps build healthy habits with technology and stronger relationships with each other. And every gift will support hands-on learning environments that spark creativity and promote physical well-being. At the same time, every gift will expand hands-on learning experiences that inspire creativity and strengthen physical well-being for our students.

What Supporter Gifts Will Fund

This year’s donations will help us purchase:

Outdoor recess additions (Think gaga ball pits and soccer goals!)
Indoor recess activities (Who wants to gather around a sensory table or play new board games?)
An exciting day-long excursion for our middle school students (Let's get off campus for outdoor team-building fun!)

Why Tech-Free?

This challenge reflects our commitment to support the holistic development of each student. We see the impact that screen time can have on young minds, and we want to champion activities that are joyful, meaningful, and connection-building.

The inaugural challenge created lasting moments for many Oaks families. Oaks parents Tchad and Danielle Blair shared how the experience sparked a new family tradition:

We hosted game nights at our home, inviting our extended family to join in. It’s been great to see the children become more independent in deciding how to use their tech-free time.

Inspired by the creativity and growth they saw in their daughters, the Blairs have made tech-free play a regular rhythm in their home.

The Excitement Is Spreading

Interest in our tech-free challenge and in The Oaks Academy’s approach is growing beyond our school community. Oaks Middle School Head of School Laura Grammar recently sat down with WISH-TV’s Cody Adams to share what makes our educational philosophy distinctive and impactful for students.

Our holistic approach helps students flourish relationally and emotionally alongside their academic growth, unlocking their full potential. As more families consider the role technology plays in their children’s lives, we’re grateful to support meaningful conversations at home during this challenge and throughout the school year.

Tracking Our Progress

You can follow our students’ progress towards 1.5 million minutes on social media and on campus. Be sure to check the trackers in the lobbies of the lower schools, next to the office at the Early Education Center, and in the Commons at the middle school!

Families are invited to share stories, photos, and ideas throughout the challenge by emailing techfree@theoaksacademy.org. We’d love to feature your contributions in our weekly updates and on social media to inspire the entire Oaks community.

Our students are eager to see the collective totals grow each week, and we can’t wait to watch them rise to the challenge.