Lower School

Welcome to the Lower School at The Oakwood School! The Oakwood School is indeed a remarkable place, and we know the Lower School provides a safe and fun (yes fun!) place for a child to grow. In fact, visitors to the Lower School often comment on its unique atmosphere. What is the difference between Oakwood and all other schools?

The teachers’ dedication to the foundations of reading, writing, and math
A focused STEAM Innovation Lab
Dedicated Spanish teacher and classroom
Music and Arts with Lower School specific teachers and classrooms
Community Service yearlong ownership
Technology incorporated beginning in PK3 with iPads for each student
Dedicated recess and physical fitness time

The Lower School Difference

Academic and Co-curricular Development

Our teachers:
- offer a nurturing environment for the students while also promoting independence
- utilize time management strategies to make effective and efficient use of teaching time
- frequent correspond with parents to keep them abreast of behavioral and developmental progress, as well as happenings in the classroom through email

Students move from classroom to classroom for special classes, rather than remaining in the homeroom all day.
An early foundation in STEAM with:
- a Lower School Innovation Lab
- technology with iPads available for each student
- music and art classes with Lower School specific teachers and teaching spaces
Lower School specific Spanish teacher and separate classroom.
Flexible recess time throughout the day promotes physical fitness, social skills and development of creativity.

Social, cultural and community building

Mentoring Programs -- H.U.G.S. (Help Us Grow Successfully) pairs 5th graders with Kindergarteners to build social connectedness regularly throughout the year, and every Lower School classroom "adopts" one or more seniors

All grades morning meetings -- designed to promote community-building, which allows our students to learn what it is like to be part of something bigger than themselves.

Community Service – Students are engaged in grade- and division-level hands-on, student-initiated, and student-driven community service projects throughout the year. Learn more about Community Service at Oakwood.

Meet the Lower School Coordinator

Keith has served as a Head of Lower School, Associate Head of Lower School, Director of Learning Services for Middle School, Fourth Grade Chair, Small Group Instructor, Special Education/Support Teacher and has over 30 years of combined experience in the classroom and as an administrator.

He has a B.S. from Townson State University in Communications and a Masters of Arts in Instructional Systems Development and Education from University of Maryland. Keith also has an Advanced Teaching Certificate, is a member of the National Orton Society and is trained in the Orton-Gillingham and Wilson Reading teaching strategies.

In addition, Keith has been cited as an exemplary educator whose teaching strategies provide a reality-based education in a nurturing environment by Baltimore Magazine (Baltimore, Maryland), received a nomination for the 1999 Disney's American Teacher Awards, received Delaware State Chamber of Commerce "Superstars in Education Awards Program" recognition and has written school curriculum for every school where he has been employed.

Keith has a strong passion for educating young minds and helping them blossom into well-rounded, responsible and successful individuals. He is a responsive and responsible listener who maintains a gracious and empathetic attitude while thoroughly researching options and making well-thought recommendations designed to establish and enhance student/parent/school relationships.

Keith Blades
Lower School Coordinator
Director of Teaching and Learning
kblades@theoakwoodschool.org
(252) 931.0760 EXT 1103

Lower School Curriculum

We uphold our mission of the school community by including experimental education throughout the school year. Local day field trips or on-site hands-on learning experiences are planned to enhance student learning and to develop a sense of community and independence in our students. Greenville and eastern North Carolina provide abundant opportunities for trips including the ECU Arts Smart program, local museums, and other sites. The Lower School Science program frequently incorporates local experts, often from East Carolina University, such as paleontologists and marine biologists to enhance the learning in the classroom, Lower School science lab and OASES micro-farm. The experiences vary each year to build excitement about learning in multiple facets through the use of the curriculum.

Oakwood faculty, Division Coordinators, and staff are committed to the success of our students. Our teachers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on most days when not teaching class for individualized assistance as needed and for scheduled meetings with parents. At the beginning of the year, the school hosts a Curriculum Night for the Lower School parents to learn more about the programs and meet the faculty. The school regularly schedules Parent/Teacher Conferences at the end of the first quarter with the parents and core teachers to review progress.

Experiential Education

Local day field trips or on-site hands-on learning experiences are planned to enhance student learning and to develop a sense of community and independence in our students. Greenville and eastern North Carolina provide abundant opportunities for trips including the ECU Arts Smart program, local museums, and other sites. The Lower School Science program frequently incorporates local experts, often from East Carolina University, such as paleontologists and marine biologists to enhance the learning in the classroom, Lower School science lab and OASES micro-farm.