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The curriculum at Oakbrook Preparatory School matches the goals set
forth by former U.S. Secretary of Education William J. Bennett in his
report, James Madison Elementary School.
Student enrichment is ensured by following the guidelines of the Core
Knowledge Curriculum developed under the direction of Professor
E.D. Hirsch, Jr., who first explained the meaning of cultural literacy
to the nation.
In addition to these U.S. authors, we embrace the philosophy of the
great English educator, Charlotte Mason. Miss Mason's work is founded
on Scripture. She saw God, the Holy Spirit, as the supreme educator of
all mankind. Her academic emphases were to put children in touch with
nature and classics in literature, art, and music. Charlotte Mason accomplished
this by presenting great works of literature to children. A structured
syllabus is used at each developmental level with emphasis on a wide
curriculum. We see the elementary school years as a time for sampling
and experimenting.
The Core Knowledge series is the framework for Oakbrook's Lower School
curriculum. It is a "solid, sequenced, specific, shared core curriculum" that
helps children "establish strong foundations of knowledge, grade
by grade." Science & Social Studies topics studied are selected
from the Core Knowledge guide to provide students with both breadth and
depth of knowledge and experience.
Oakbrook uses the Open Court reading series. "Open Court Reading
is a research-based curriculum grounded in systematic, explicit instruction
of phonemic awareness, phonics and word knowledge, comprehension skills
and strategies, inquiry skills and strategies, and writing and language
arts skills and strategies. Reading fine literature is one of the founding
principles of Open Court Reading. As children read classic and contemporary
literature, they discover the importance of clarity of thought and word.
They enjoy an abundant reading experience that moves them toward independent,
self-directed learning.”
The Saxon Math curriculum is the primary math instruction guide. The
Saxon approach stresses "incremental development and continual
practice and review." Topics are introduced in "easily understandable
pieces (increments), permitting the assimilation of one facet of a concept
before the next facet is introduced. Topics are never dropped, but are
instead increased in complexity and practiced every day, providing the
time required for concepts to become totally familiar." Teachers
hold “math meetings” to stress application of skills and concepts. Students
become involved through activities and visual displays.
The Sitton Spelling approach is used in grades 3 through 6. The program
focuses on teaching students spelling skills and patterns rather than
memorization of an arbitrary list of words. Class work emphasizes the
inquiry approach to discerning spelling patterns. Students learn to spell
where it counts—in their writing.
Students in grades 3 through 5 are taught English grammar using the
Shurley Method. "The Shurley Method is the end result of twenty-five
years of research. The Shurley Method never teaches concepts in isolation.
A concrete set of questions about each word in a sentence is used to
teach students how all the parts of a sentence fit together. Students
always have a clear picture of how to write in complete sentences, they
are exposed to "see it, hear it, say it, do it" activities
that meet the visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles of students."
Students have numerous opportunities to improve their writing and speaking
skills through the annual Literary Meet. OPS bases its writing program
on the premise that all children can and should write. Teachers provide
an accepting climate for students to write in, using a variety of genres
on a variety of topics. Students “learn to write” using the writing process
beginning with pre-writing and ending with the final copy. Students
study the craft of various authors and incorporate those techniques into
their own writing. Whether students are writing a math problem, journaling
a science experiment or creating a travel brochure in Social Studies,
students demonstrate their ability to “write to learn” across the curriculum.
At the end of each year, each classroom produces a class book containing
a piece of each student's writing.
Oakbrook enjoys many special academic events and festivals during the
year such as the Greek Festival and Agora, Roman Festival, Famous American
Day, Literary Meet, International Festival, and Medieval Feast.
All students in grades five participate in the Science Fair, with winners
advancing to the Regional Science Fair at USC Upstate.
Before and After School Care
Early Bird
At the request of parents and teachers, we are providing Early Bird
Service. Students who arrive at school early should go to designated
Early Bird Room.
Main Building (3rd Grade Classroom) - 7:30-7:55
Primary Building (Library) - 7:30-8:00 (1st & 2nd grade) and 7:30-8:15
(K4 -K5)
Knight Shift
Knight Shift is a service provided for
parents who want quality care for their children after school. Some students
attend Knight Shift regularly; others come on a drop-in basis. All children
in full-day K5 through grade 8 who are at school 15 minutes after the
dismissal time of the oldest sibling will be escorted to Knight Shift.
We are glad to offer this convenience at our busy campus. Charges will
be invoiced as follows: A weekly fee of $45.00 or a drop-in fee of $4/hour.
Hours are 2:45pm - 6:00pm daily in the Primary Building. (M-F). Students
in Knight Shift should be able to complete their homework, enjoy a snack
and play time daily, do an occasional art project, and attend home basketball
games.
Grading
Teachers send home folders
containing samples of student work every Thursday. This is a very important
avenue of communication for the teacher, parent, and administration.
Please sign the folder and return it the following morning.
Report cards will evaluate each student's progress in every subject
area. All students will receive a report each nine weeks of the academic
calendar. Children in grades one through three will be rated Excellent,
Satisfactory, Progressing, and Needs Improvement according to their demonstrated
potential. Most children do not attain an integrated maturity level
before age nine, and we do not compare their accomplishments before that
time.
In grades four and five, percentage averages are calculated and reported
as letter grades. Grade four continues to report social studies, science,
and creative writing with ratings of Excellent, Satisfactory, Needs to
Improve, Progressing, or Needs Improvement.
Kindergarten – Grade 3; Grades 4 and 5 Science, Social Studies, and Creative
Writing
E 93 - 100
S+ 85 - 92
S 77 - 84
S- 70 - 76
P/N Below 70
Grades 4 and Grade 5 Math and Language Arts (South Carolina Uniform
Grading Scale)
A 93 - 100
B 85 - 92
C 77 - 84
D 70 - 76
F 0 – 69
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