Details

Parent Category: Our School

Published on Tuesday, 01 September 2009 11:19

Oak Grove’s junior high school curriculum is designed to provide both the knowledge and skills that students will need to succeed in high school, college and in life. Students take the core subjects of integrated English & Social Studies (Humanities), mathematics, science and Spanish.

In addition to core subjects, all students take yearlong concentrations in art and music, showcasing their artwork in our Main House Gallery and performing live for family, friends and the community, at the end of each semester. In the fall, junior high students participate in an intensive theater experience which culminates in a weekend of performances at Theater 150 in the town of Ojai.

Advisory Class is an important part of the overall curriculum that supports students during their important transition toward full fledged teenagers. The intent is to find the joy and humor of this phase of development while also considering the more serious and complex challenges facing teenagers before their total immersion in high school. The vast realm of relationship – to oneself, to others and to nature – is the ground from which students are nurtured toward their maturing sexuality, their dreams for their future, and toward a deep respect for oneself and others. Camping trips and field studies, speakers, community projects, research activities, and extracurricular activities provide opportunities for students to deepen their awareness and connections to self, nature, peers, community and to the whole world.

Learning Extras: Beyond their academic studies, students participate in a full range of social activities, including camping trips, community service opportunities, team sports, clubs and student council.  Junior high students take a signature trip each spring, which alternates every year. Trips range from a week at the Teton Science School, to a week in Southern Utah, to a week in the Southwest.

At mid-semester student/parent/teacher conferences are held to discuss student progress. At the end of each semester detailed narrative assessments are reported.