Oaks El School

We love Oaks. The person who wrote about first graders having a class of 30 is incorrect. My first grader has 19-20 in her class. Oaks is an amazing school!

Due to the heavy and ever growing population going here, the classrooms are over crowded. 1st graders with close to 30 kids in the class and one teacher. If your kid thrives in a smaller class environment or more importantly, needs a smaller group to learn and not fall by the waist side, I would not suggest this school.

Our 2 children, then ages 6 & 8 started at Oaks two weeks after we adopted them from Ukraine in December 2006. They spoke a FEW words in English, their native tongue was Russian. *****I CANNOT SAY ENOUGH about the FABULOUS, professional, KIND staff there!!! From Mark Moyer, the Principal, to Tara Chester, the English As a Second Language Teacher, to the Art Teacher, English, Homeroom, Gym Teachers, Librarian, to even the janitor knew us on a personal basis!! They were ALL SO KIND to our kids!! They took them under their wing, and our kids felt like it was HOME! My 17 yr. old daughter was just saying last night she wants to go back soon to visit; Mrs. Chester even attended her induction ceremony into the SFSD National Junior Honor Society in 8th grade! They TRULY were like family! In fact, in April 2005, the school Walkathon chose our son's former orphanage in Ukraine as the benefactor! We raised $6K, half went to JDRF & 1/2 to our son's former home! The proceeds bought clothes, vitamins, shoes, toiletries, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc for the orphans left behind there in Donetsk Ukraine. (Equaled $24K in USD). Mr Hullman also helped with the assembly we had for the kids for WalkaThon kickoff. They also have an "International Night" for the ESL kids; to celebrate their home countries. I brought in 2 Ukrainian Dancers to entertain the kids; and lots of Ukrainian Food, Hand Carved Ukrainian pens/ whistles for the kids, and our kids wore their native traditional costumes. ethnicity is celebrated and embraced at Oaks at the highest level! WE MISS OAKS SO MUCH! EVERY SCHOOL IN THE COUNTRY SHOULD HAVE THIS MUCH LOVE and really care about the level of one on one education as Oaks does!!!

The teachers at Oaks overall take great interest in their students success. The curriculum is average but there is the opportunity for a gifted student to participate in the AT program which offers enrichment to the curriculum. The Principal's leadership is evident in the overwhelming positive atmosphere of the school. The moment you walk through the doors you will feel the positivity through the welcoming faces of staff and the creative annual themed art adorned on the walls. Just to add---their art teacher and gifted teacher are phenomenal.