Who is an Oasis Student?
The teachers do not box me up and send me away.
They tell me I can do anything if I set my mind to it.
They don't tell me I am too small or too big.
They tell me I can imagine animals, people, and places.
They encourage me to express myself in lots of different ways –
through music, dancing, and writing poems.
They open me up like a gift and treasure me.
- Kassidee Ellis, Oasis Student
Many parents ask, What kinds of students do we accept for admission to Oasis School?
The ‘short answer’ is that we are looking for a variety of personal
qualities in our students, none of which is necessarily more important than any
other. We are seeking students who will thrive in our learning environment. The
‘long answer’ is addressed in the paragraphs below.
What do we look for in a student?
Is Oasis School just for gifted students?
What kinds of families choose to enroll their students at Oasis
School?
How do Oasis students see themselves?
Independent
Thinkers
WHAT DO WE LOOK FOR IN A STUDENT?
While no single factor is paramount, we consider for each child their:
- curiosity, creativity and interests,
- social skills and character,
- capacity for independent thought and depth of ideas,
- emotional and behavioral maturity,
- physical development,
- intellectual energy and cognitive development,
- personality and temperament,
- learning styles and talents,
- individual strengths and weaknesses,
- motivation towards learning and willingness to work, and
- previous school experiences and academic records.
We also consider
- the recommendations of others and
- the reason(s) the parents are interested in Oasis School.
Typically Oasis students exhibit a strong need to know and a deep curiosity
about their world, yet need to feel supported in order to take intellectual
risks. Many are quick learners who grasp concepts easily and prefer complex
over simple ideas. Some have a delightfully sophisticated sense of humor but
are also extremely sensitive about the feelings of others or empathetic towards
the injustices in their own social spheres as well as in the larger world. All
are remarkable and interesting children.
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IS OASIS SCHOOL JUST FOR GIFTED STUDENTS?
Often Oasis students have exceptional abilities in one or more academic or creative
areas, which are not always evident in a traditional educational setting. We
consider test scores when they are available, but a particular score is not
necessary for a child to be considered eligible. Just as important to the school
as any particular measurable criteria are the character of the student, the
family involvement in their child’s education, and the match between the
educational philosophies of the family and our school. We search for families
who are interested in a strong academic program as well as a community that
will embrace the children and help students develop into positive citizens who
work to make the world better.
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WHAT KINDS OF FAMILIES CHOOSE TO ENROLL THEIR
STUDENTS AT OASIS SCHOOL?
Parents choose to enroll their children in Oasis School for a variety of reasons,
of course. Many families are seeking a school that provides more challenge than
a traditional program, or more recognition of their child’s individual
strengths and abilities. They want a learning environment that is flexible and
responsive to individual abilities, interests, and needs, where children are
supported in taking on intellectual challenge.
Some parents see in Oasis a school that will meet the particular needs of their
children; for example, to them Oasis School is a place
- where their child’s preferred learning styles are acknowledged
and accepted,
- where a child’s passions facilitate learning and where improving
on their weaknesses is not allowed to interfere with learning,
- that recognizes the different needs of introverted and extroverted students,
- where children get a great deal of individual attention,
- that will allow children to accelerate in any subject to the appropriate
level of challenge rather than holding them back to artificial ‘grade
level’ expectations, and
- where learning is FUN!
Other parents choose Oasis because they believe in the innovative, nontraditional
principles on which an Oasis education is based; for these parents, education
should provide
- hands-on, experience-based learning
- small multi-age groups
- a personalized education
- assessment via portfolio rather than endless testing, and
- a community of learners
And still others choose Oasis because they support our philosophy that
- community involvement,
- environmental awareness, and
- character development
are important components of education in an independent, nonsectarian environment
where all beliefs are respected and tolerated.
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HOW DO OASIS STUDENTS SEE THEMSELVES?
While Oasis students come to us with a wide range of temperaments and personalities,
they are generally proud to see themselves as independent
thinkers who ‘march to their own drummer’. Oasis students
grow to see themselves as:
- critical thinkers
- problem solvers
- community contributors
who are:
| articulate |
empathetic |
playful |
| aware |
fair |
poised |
| bold |
growing |
positive |
| brave |
hard-working |
proud |
| capable |
healthy |
reliable |
| compassionate |
helpful |
resourceful |
| confident |
honest |
responsible |
| conscientious |
intelligent |
respectful |
| creative |
motivated |
supportive |
| curious |
observant |
tolerant |
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