Academics | Oakbrook Preparatory School

ACADEMICS

At Oakbrook Preparatory School, we believe all students are gifts from God and created in His image with a purpose. Our goal is to help every student realize they are special and to embrace their strengths more than focus on their limitations. Oakbrook is large enough to offer a wide range of programs, yet small enough for each child to be truly known and our teachers are uniquely qualified and trained to help children discover and cultivate their true potential.

Oakbrook Lower School

Lower School students at Oakbrook are engaged in active learning, challenged through rigorous academics and nurtured in a loving and caring Christian environment. They are given daily opportunities to develop the 21st century skills of critical thinking, communication, creativity and collaboration. In addition to the core subjects, Oakbrook students are given opportunities to explore and develop interests in art, music, physical education, technology, and a variety of world languages.

Lower School

Oakbrook Middle School

Oakbrook’s Middle School curriculum is academically rigorous, filled with opportunities for project-based learning led by teachers who are specialists in their field. Our program allows students to be creative, collaborate, and develop other 21st Century Skills essential to success.

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Oakbrook Upper School

In the Oakbrook Upper School our students are challenged to stretch themselves academically through rigorous coursework, including twenty AP offerings, to think critically and creatively, and to engage in our school community through participation in one of our many additional activities.

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Admissions Process

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Oakbrook Family Handbook

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World Languages

Beginning in K3, students are exposed to our rich World Language curriculum.

Students can learn to hear and speak world languages with greater proficiency when they begin as young children. By the age of twelve, most people have lost their ability to speak a second language without an accent. Our students experience a sampling of language and culture (Spanish and German) at grades K3-2nd grade. Third graders choose one focus language (Spanish or German) and study it twice per week for the remainder of lower school.

Language studies for middle school begin to become more focused on their chosen language. Seventh graders move from a two-day class to a three-day class. In Lower School, their language studies are mostly oral. In middle school they begin to explore more written language.

For more in-depth development, German I and Spanish I are offered for high school credit beginning in grade 8. Second, third, and fourth year languages are offered for further study. AP level courses are also offered for possible college credit.

Please reference the Upper School Course Catalog for more information about language course offerings.

World language students in grades three through twelve participate in the World Language Literary Meet.

World Cultures

In addition to participating in the Spartanburg International Festival, our World Language Department also sponsors several celebrations during the year including Hispanic Awareness Month and German Reunification Day. Students also celebrate Around the World as well as Chinese New Year in their classrooms.

Cultural Tours & Mission Trips

Oakbrook offers many opportunities for its students to learn outside of the classroom. Each year during Spring Intensive, students in grades 9-12 may elect to go outside of our country's borders to complement their classroom studies with cultural or mission trips abroad. Many of these trips allow students to interact with the international community, preparing them to take their place as global citizens.

Exchange Program

Oakbrook opens its doors to many international students through various exchange programs. Our language teachers also assist individual students to participate in exchanges through outside organizations. Oakbrook has also become a home-away-from-home for many students participating in yearly exchange programs.

Clubs & Organizations

Oakbrook offers students an opportunity to participate in a variety of extracurricular clubs and organizations. Participation provides many benefits and plays an important role in the growth and development or our students. Joining one or more of these clubs gives students an opportunity to discover and explore their interests while developing new friendships and enhancing their self-esteem.

The specific clubs and organizations available to students will vary some from year to year depending on the level of interest. Past clubs have included:

  • Student Government
  • Glee Club
  • Book Club
  • Frisbee Golf Club
  • Model United Nations
  • MUSE Machine
  • National Honor Society
  • Junior Beta Club
  • Interact Club
  • Middle & Upper School Math Competitors
  • MATHCOUNTS
  • Battle of the Brains
  • Academic Quiz Bowl Team
  • First Lego League Robotics Team
  • Varsity VEX Robotics
  • Yearbook Staff (Equites Christi)

Academic Support

The Bridges program aims to enhance the educational experience for all students in Kindergarten through 12thgrade and assist students in reaching their full God-given potential and develop a lifelong love of learning.

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