Oakbrook Preparatory School: Difference between revisions
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'''Oakbrook Preparatory School''' is a private Christian based 4K–12 school, located in [[Spartanburg, South Carolina]]. It consists of a lower school for 4K-4th graders, a middle school for 5th–8th graders, and an upper school for 9th–12th graders. |
'''Oakbrook Preparatory School''' is a private Christian based 4K–12 school, located in [[Spartanburg, South Carolina]]. It consists of a lower school for 4K-4th graders, a middle school for 5th–8th graders, and an upper school for 9th–12th graders. |
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And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalm 1:3 |
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== History == |
== History == |
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Revision as of 16:43, 6 February 2011
| Oakbrook Preparatory School | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | |
 | |
| Information | |
| Type | Private school |
| Established | 1992 |
| Headmaster | Adair Hinds[1] |
| Faculty | 70 |
| Grades | K4–12 |
| Enrollment | 400+ |
| Color(s) | Navy and Silver |
| Athletics conference | SCISA |
| Mascot | Knights |
| Information | (864) 587-2060 |
| Student Body President | Charlotte Holbein |
| Website | http://www.Oakbrookprep.org |
Oakbrook Preparatory School is a private Christian based 4K–12 school, located in Spartanburg, South Carolina. It consists of a lower school for 4K-4th graders, a middle school for 5th–8th graders, and an upper school for 9th–12th graders.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalm 1:3
History
Founded by Rosemary Moore in 1992 as the Village School, the school and mission grew until a major expansion in 2002 extended the curriculum to k4-12 and Oakbrook Preparatory School emerged. Thanks to others joining Mrs. Moore and inspiring others, the school grew while carrying on the original Charlotte Mason philosophy. As a non-denominational school, Oakbrook strives to develop innovative thinkers and leaders for the 21st century. Students are encouraged to learn through international exchange students and programs.
Every phase of the school’s development has built upon the vision and determination of our families, leaders and community. Due to the tremendous support and insistence from parents, it was decided that the Village School would become a true college preparatory school and continue through grade 12 with efforts led by Julie Goethe and Nancy Seay. The 2001-2002 school year was a year of transition for the Village School as the school transformed into Oakbrook Preparatory School.
Celebrating the first graduating class in 2005 with six outstanding dedicated students, Oakbrook Prep continues in their tradition of Academic Rigor, Athletic Exellence and Spiritual Growth. At the end of 2005, Oakbrook's founder, Rosemary Moore, retired and was given the honorary title of Director Emeritus. In 2010 Adair Hinds joined Oakbrook Prep as the third Head of School.
Today Oakbrook Prep continues, built on a foundation of Christian faith and in the Charlotte Mason tradition, to educate students to be independent learners in a changing world. Oakbrook Preparatory School's 33 acre campus currently serves over 400 students.
Athletics
Oakbrook Prep offers cross country, volleyball, soccer, physical education, basketball, swimming, cheerleading, and golf.
Oakbrook Prep's recent athletic success includes 2008 Girls Varsity Soccer State Championship, 2010 Boys Varsity Golf State Championship, and 2010 Boys Varsity Soccer State Championship.
Oakbrook Prep varsity teams are members of the South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA) conference and will participate in tournaments at the end of the year. Middle school volleyball and basketball will compete against the same schools that high school teams compete and will have an end of the year tournament. Middle school for soccer and golf will participate in the CMSC conference.
Clubs
Oakbrook Preparatory School provides various clubs that students can join. Some are more educational in nature, while others do not require anything but the student's interest.
Upper School:
- Book Club
- Garden Club
- Fitness Club
- Drama Club
- Glee Club
- Sign Language Club
- Photography Club
- Guitar Club
- Debate Club
- Scrapbooking Club
- MUSE Machine (Fine Arts Club)
- Fellowship of Christian Athletes
- Junior & Senior Beta Club
- MATHCOUNTS
- Battle of the Brains
- Academic Quiz Bowl Team (Middle & High)
- Middle & High School Math Competitors
- Leadership Institute
- Middle School Newspaper
- Yearbook (Equites Christi)
- Newspaper Staff (Silver Scroll)
- Schools for Schools
Drama
Students can choose drama as their elective beginning in the 5th grade. They can continue to study drama through the 12th grade.
Drama gives the student an increased appreciation of and additional experience in theater as an art form. The students act, direct, or are technically involved in scenes, one-act plays or full length production. They read, write, and evaluate plays as well as view and critique electronic and live performances. History, culture and technology of theater are examined and explored. Through creating theater, students grow in their ability to comprehend the world and to communicate with others.
Students have the opportunity to attend theater competitions and present smaller productions. Out of the past two years, Oakbrook's drama team won first place in the SCISA State One-Act Play competition and won the regional title in both years. Students have the opportunity to audition for the annual school musical each spring. Students do not have to be enrolled in a drama class to audition. Past musical performances include: The Wizard of Oz, The Music Man, Bye Bye Birdie, Into the Woods and Beauty, and the Beast
Drama Club is also available to students interested in Drama. This club meets once per month for upper school students, and membership is not eexclusive to those in drama class.
Dance
Oakbrook’s dance program began five years ago and continues to grow each year. Students have the option of starting dance classes in 5th grade and may continue all the way through graduation.
Dance is an interactive and innovative class designed to provide students with the opportunity to learn and appreciate the art form of dance. One of the main standards explored is dance technique, which enables the students to become literate in dance fundamentals, in a variety of genres, such as ballet, jazz, modern, and tap, and to be engaged in activities involving body awareness, movement exploration, and the understanding of the dance elements-body, time, space, and energy. Emphasis is also put on understanding choreographic principles, processes, and structures while acquiring the skills to create and interpret ideas and feelings through dance. Students will use critical and creative thinking skills, learn history and culture, connect dance with healthy living, and relate dance with other disciplines.
The Advanced Dance course, offered to students by audition, is designed to emphasize and refine all main technique areas and master specific dance vocabulary related to the efficient and artful use of the body as an instrument. Advanced dance is the top performing company and in the past has had the opportunity to perform at the South Carolina Dancing Festival in 2009, do outreach events at the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind, and hold clinics at Oakbrook. An annual Dance Clinic is held for younger grades on a Saturday to teach basics in dance and provide ages 5-11 years the chance to perform at a home basketball game. The dance department is also in the process of becoming a charter member of the National Dance Education Organization in order to induct students into the National Honors Society for Dance.
Creative Movement is also an option for K4-5th grade. Creative Movement provides the students with opportunities for noncompetitive, success-oriented and creative experiences. Through movement, children learn about their bodies, the space around them, and each other. Creative movement is an innovation way to tie interdisciplinary principles together with the movement of their body.
Bands
The Oakbrook Preparatory School band program is part of the Fine Arts Department. The band program began in 1998 and has been under the direction of Sharon Atherton since its inception. By 2007, the program included students in grades 5-12. Ensembles include 5th grade beginner band, middle and high school concert bands, and a marching parade band. Several ancillary ensembles have operated over the years (non-consecutive at times) including flute choir, indoor guard/percussion ensembles, basketball pep band, and jazz band. In 2011, eleven Oakbrook band students were chosen to participate in the SCBDA Region One Band Clinic. Both the middle and high school concert bands have received Superior ratings for the past six consecutive years at area festivals. Annual performances include Veteran’s Day, Spartanburg Christmas parade, and various local events.
Each year dozens of band students participate in: ● Region and All-state bands ● SCBDA Solo and Ensemble Festival
Arts
Oakbrook’s Visual Arts program offers an exciting discipline-based art curriculum with an emphasis on curriculum integration from other academic studies in our weekly lower school art classes. Meeting daily, our upper school classes focus more deeply on artistic techniques in both 2D and 3D projects with classes including Modern Art, Careers in Art, Multicultural Arts, Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, 2D Design, Mixed Media, and The Bible Through Artists’ Eyes. Also, for the highly advanced art students, we offer Advanced Studio Art as well as our college level AP Studio Art course. These students are highly motivated to stretch their creative abilities even further while working carefully on building a portfolio of their best works.
Seniors
Seniors at Oakbrook Preparatory School special privileges include a special room that only seniors can enter, called The Senior Commons. The Senior Commons is equipted with wifi.
The Senior Project course is an independent study, completed during senior year and is required for graduation from Oakbrook Preparatory School. Each senior chooses a topic they are passionate about, that challenges them beyond their current level of knowledge and skills. It is an idea which they can give themselves to enthusiastically for a year. The project must involve the creation of either a service or a product. It is approved and monitored by a five member board and the Oakbrook Senior advisor. This year-long course of study is made up of five components: the Proposal, a Position Research Paper which addresses an issue within their topic, the Project itself, an online blog chronicling their progress, and a final presentation visually showing what they have accomplished.