Some of our students have mild to moderate behavioral issues. Oakwood School’s goal is to help these students behave reasonably and appropriately in order to relate well with peers and adults. To achieve this goal Oakwood School has two guidance counselors.
A school-wide Positive Behavioral Supports Program is used to help students learn reasonable and appropriate behaviors in different social settings (classroom, free time, home and community). Our goal is for Oakwood School students to transition into the adult world of education and/or work and have appropriate social and behavioral skills.
If behavioral issues continue to interfere with a student’s ability to learn or interact with others, an individual behavior intervention plan is developed in conjunction with the student, teacher, guidance counselor and administration. Parents and child study teams are included in this process. Teachers develop behavior procedures that will effectively meet the needs of his/her students. These procedures include, but are not limited to Functional Behavioral Assessments and token economies, which are adjusted to meet the individual needs of the students. Weekly group counseling sessions are held by our guidance counselors and social worker in each classroom.
Individual counseling is provided when prescribed in the child’s Individual Educational Plan. However, any child who is in need of additional attention will be seen individually by one of the school counselors. Our primary goal is for our students to behave REASONABLY at all times; it is our responsibility to teach our students how to negotiate and solve problems.
Our Academic Program
Oakwood School’s goal is to provide an academic program that meets not only the goals and objectives addressed in each Individualized Educational Plan (IEP), but also to create a learning environment where students can relax and enjoy the educational process through differentiated instruction. We regularly address and monitor the academic, social and emotional well-being of each student. We strive to implement evidenced based scientifically researched educational and behavioral programs with cross curricular activities.
Our Behavioral Program
Some of our students have mild to moderate behavioral issues. Oakwood School’s goal is to help these students behave reasonably and appropriately in order to relate well with peers and adults. To achieve this goal Oakwood School has two guidance counselors.
A school-wide Positive Behavioral Supports Program is used to help students learn reasonable and appropriate behaviors in different social settings (classroom, free time, home and community). Our goal is for Oakwood School students to transition into the adult world of education and/or work and have appropriate social and behavioral skills.
Our Career Guidance Program
Preparation for post high school education or a career is an important component of our educational program. Our guidance counselors help facilitate this transition to enhance opportunities for employment.
Career awareness is an ongoing process. Life skills programs are incorporated into all of our Core Curriculum subject matters including publishing a yearbook, running a school store, and utilizing computer science technology. Additionally, we invite people in the community to talk about their “real life” experiences with our students.
“Johnny has turned into an amazing young man!! Without Oakwood I don’t know or want to know how many things may have gone bad for him!!! He loves this school and it could not have been a better pick for him!!! Because of the assistance of you and your staff, I don’t think there is anything Johnny can’t do or at least try.”
- Oakwood Parent
“I want to take the time to thank you for everything you have done for me. You are the reason why I just started my second year of college. When I was younger, I would have never pictured myself in college from the negative road that I was taking. After all the talks and lectures that you had given me back then, in which I “thought” was a waste of my time, now mean everything to me… You, Dr. White, are the main reasons why I am going to be a somebody in life, as opposed to a nobody.”
- Oakwood School Student
“Our son refused to go to school and was miserable until we found Oakwood School. We now know what he looks like when he’s happy…You gave my husband and I the greatest gift in the world, you gave us our son back!”
- Oakwood School Parent
“Oakwood is such a safe learning environment; I feel comfortable saying and doing things that make me myself. I always have someone to talk to and all of my peers are good people.”
- Oakwood School Student
“Oakwood School is an ‘oasis’ in the desert of educational challenges. No one knows better how to deal with students who have presented challenges to public schools than Oakwood School.”
- Child Study Team Director
“Were it not for Dr. White and the staff at Oakwood School, I sincerely believe we would not have reached the point where we could contemplate Zack’s future with optimism. When he first arrived at Oakwood, Zack had been refusing to attend school. He was angry, depressed, defiant,… He was in grave danger of dropping out of high school. All this changed when Zack began to attend Oakwood School.”
- Oakwood School Parent
“I consider Oakwood to be a school of miracles. Helping to give new life to tired children can be exhausting and challenging but the rewards of seeing these children beginning to make decisions that are good for them has to be your blessing.”
- Oakwood School Parent
“…my grandson…is doing better than I had ever hoped for. This was a child, who hated going to school, every morning I would say the Serenity Prayer…should another child in the district be in need of special help I would like the district to consider the Oakwood School. I was dealing with a child that was frustrated by school and as I said, hated school. I am now dealing with a child that goes to school sick rather than miss a day. His reading level has greatly improved and he actually comes home and does extra work because the subject has come alive for him. This is nothing short of a miracle.”
- Oakwood School Grandparent