Upper School

Oakwood’s Upper School, consisting of grades 8th-12th, is the capstone to a student’s preparation for academic independence and strong character that has been developing in Oakwood’s Lower and Middle Schools. With the guidance of an outstanding faculty, our Upper School students develop writing, researching, debating, and critical and creative thinking skills, as well as a passion for life-long learning. Experiential and differentiated learning ensures each student in the Upper School has the potential to succeed. In the classroom and beyond, Oakwood Upper School students are encouraged and guided to cultivate wisdom, creativity and strong social skills that will prepare them for a future that is constantly changing.

Along with the success and importance of our college placement, Oakwood looks beyond college in the teaching of its students. The Upper School desires for its students to become game changers of the future - individuals who help to make the world a better place, whether through social activism, medical discoveries, or cultural engagement.

Upper School Highlights:

Our advanced curriculum offers a majority of Honors and AP courses, encouraging critical thinking and intellectual flexibility
Strong fine arts, athletics, clubs, and honor societies for service, collaboration, leadership, and passion
Student support crucial at this point in a student’s life - our teachers do not let students slip through the cracks by implementing a strong advisory system, Honor Code, and individualized attention
Experiential learning is prioritized through travel, internships, and independent studies, promoting real-world application of knowledge
Innovation STEAM Lab allows students hands-on, experiential learning with science, technology, and more
Strong college guidance beginning in 9th grade and utilizing SCOIR
Students engage in student-initiated and student-driven community service projects throughout the year

The Oakwood Upper School Difference

Academic Development

Of the 50+ classes taught in 8th-12th grades, the majority are Honors level or AP courses. 14 AP courses are available on campus with additional online AP courses available through Virtual High School and NCVPS
Over 79% of students achieved at least a score of 3 or higher on AP exams – higher than other regional independent schools’ scorings
Off-Campus Education Week teaches students to apply their knowledge by living their learning. While on these trips to destinations such as New York City, Germany, and various college campuses, students have participated in community service projects, conducted science activities, practiced language skills, and viewed first-hand other cultures and ways of life
On-line courses and independent study projects are allowed and encouraged when appropriate
College advising beginning in 9th grade
OASES (Outdoor Agricultural Student Eco-Station) is a micro farm initiative and cornerstone for integrating STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education throughout all divisions
There is no AP policy intentionally as Oakwood encourages students to take AP courses regardless of their test scores if they are willing to take on the challenge. If they want to learn, we want to encourage them to learn
Dual enrollment possible at Pitt Community College or the North Carolina School of Science and Math
Fine Arts courses taken for 3 or more years earn Honors credit

Co-curricular experiences

Through strings, band, jazz, chorus, dance, drama and studio art classes, The Oakwood Upper School encourages students to appreciate the arts as well as to embrace participation in creative activities
82% of our 7th through 12th graders participated in at least one sport last year
From student government to the Growers Club, there are over 20 clubs , organizations and honor societies for student involvement

Social, cultural and community building

Participation in the Senior Adoption program, in which students partner with Lower School students in order to give back and mentor to the community in which they live and study
Student-directed community service programs
The Honor System is a respected institution in the Upper School and is governed by students and the faculty advisor
Active teacher-student advisory system and weekly whole division meetings
International student matriculation program to bring the world closer to home

Meet the Upper School Coordinator

The daughter of two public school teachers, Jennifer Smith swore she would never teach school. Now, 27 years later, she is still eating crow. She earned a BA in English from Newberry College and an MA in English from The College of Charleston/The Citadel. She has taught English, history and journalism, and has worked at Oakwood for 18 years. She has served as teacher, advisor, and Upper School Coordinator, and most recently took on the role of Alumni Coordinator. Jennifer has two children, Carter, Oakwood class of 2019, and Sadie, Oakwood class of 2023. She enjoys recycling and making to-do lists.

Jennifer Smith
Upper School Division Coordinator
jsmith@theoakwoodschool.org
252.931.0760 X 2134

Upper School Curriculum

The Upper School’s rigorous Honors and AP curriculum prepares its students for colleges and universities around the nation; the advisory and community service programs focus on helping students become positive members of our communities; and the athletic, fine arts and clubs contribute to nurturing empathetic and tolerant students with strong leadership and collaborative skills.

Experiential Education

Each fall our students spend upward of a week on the activity of their choice on a particular trip near and far or through an internship/independent study. These trips are designed to foster independence and leadership and give students a sense of community with their classmates and the world around them. One intended goal of trips is to form bonds between students of different grade levels, so no preference is given to seniority in signing up. We encourage students to choose trips based on their interests and not their peer groups.

While our 8th graders travel as a class to Washington, D.C., our 9th through 12th graders choose from a range of trips that encompass various activities and interests, price levels, and distance traveled. Whether experiencing German culture, practicing Spanish with native speakers in Spain or Puerto Rico, visiting museums in New York City, serving others in Charleston, SC, touring college campuses, and more, Oakwood students benefit not only from the application of what they’ve learned in the classroom, but also from the maturity needed to accomplish experiences of this magnitude.

Closer to home, we also offer students the opportunity to pursue individual interests through a pre-arranged internship or independent study during the week. Past examples include working in an art studio creating a piece of art, shadowing a local cardiologist, and visiting the headquarters of a national non-governmental organization (NGO) in Washington, DC.

The US faculty has mapped out a four-year rotation of trips, spanning three price ranges and offering direct ties to various areas of study each year. The internship/independent study will continue to be an option for students each year. Also, 8th graders will continue to travel to Washington, D.C. as a class.