Oaks Christian School
Oaks Christian School is a co-educational, college-preparatory, non-denominational Christian school serving grades 5-12. Oaks Christian School is located on 25 acres (10 ha) in Westlake Village, Los Angeles County, California. The school was established in 2000.[1] As of the 2019-20 academic year, total student enrollment is approximately 1,400 students. Approximately three-quarters of these students are enrolled in high school (grades 9-12), while the remainder comprise the middle school population (grades 5-8).
Oaks Christian School | |
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Address | |
31749 La Tienda Road , | |
Coordinates | 34.153°N 118.810°W |
Information | |
Type | Private, Coeducational |
Motto | "Preparing Minds for Leadership and Hearts for Service" |
Religious affiliation(s) | Nondenominational Christianity |
Established | 2000 |
Founder | David Price and Dallas Price-Van Breda |
Headmaster | Robert Black |
Grades | 5-12 |
Enrollment | 1,400 (1,000 grades 9-12, 400 grades 5-8) (2019-20 academic year) |
Student to teacher ratio | 10:1 |
Color(s) | Cardinal and Gold |
Athletics conference | CIF Southern Section (Marmonte League) |
Nickname | Lions |
Accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, National Association of Independent Schools |
Website | www |
History
In 1997, eighteen acres (7.3 ha) in a Westlake Village industrial park were purchased for the original campus. Oaks Christian School opened in 2000 to approximately 160 high school students and 40 middle school students. By the year 2002, most of the school and campus infrastructure had been completed, with the exception of the Bedrosian Pavilion, a performing arts facility completed in 2007. Surrounded by the Four Seasons Hotel and the Dole Food Company headquarters to the east, the Ventura Freeway to the south, and a large industrial park to the north, only one property lies contiguous to the campus. That seven-acre property became available in 2007, allowing for expansion.
In the 2009-10 academic year, Oaks Christian opened its new middle school facility on the adjacent property.[2] In 2014-15, the Academy V program for fifth grade students was launched.[3]
As of the 2019-20 academic year, Oaks Christian was scheduled to open a new on-site student dormitory to offer both 5 and 7 day/week boarding options. Additionally, the opening of the 10,000-square-foot (930 m2) Idea Lab (Innovation Design Engineering and Aeronautics) will offer students a jump start into careers focused on STEM career paths. Admission is competitive (59% acceptance rate), based on a variety of criteria ranging from primary school grades, Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE) score, a personal interview, essays, and extracurricular interests.[4]
Academics
Oaks Christian School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the National Association of Independent Schools, as well as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The average class size is 17 students. 51% of the faculty hold advanced degrees. 100% of the student body is admitted to colleges and universities. Among first-year students admitted to the University of Southern California, OCS is one of most-represented independent high schools.[5]
Athletics
Since its inception, Oaks Christian has gained national prominence with its football team. The football program has developed numerous players who have been recruited to NCAA Division I programs as well as the National Football League. The school hosts 26 different sports and 48 school teams. As of the 2019 athletic season, OCS holds a total of 49 CIF Southern Section championships, including six consecutive football titles in the 2000s, 165 League Titles, five State Titles, two Gatorade State Players of the Year, one Gatorade National Player of the year, and fifteen alumni have achieved professional sports careers. In 2019 the Oaks Christian School football program graduated the #1 football recruit in the nation. The successful Track and Field team at Oaks Christian won five CIF Southern Section titles for both men and women between 2014 and 2019.[6]
Notable alumni
- Phil Bickford, professional baseball player
- Zach Charbonnet, college football player
- Jimmy Clausen, professional football player
- Colin Ford (born 1996), actor
- Max Heidegger (born 1997), American-Israeli professional basketball player
- Dree Hemingway (born 1987), model
- Malcolm Jones, professional football player
- Cameron Judge, professional football player
- Cassius Marsh, professional football player
- Casey Matthews, professional football player
- Nick Montana, college football player
- Chris Owusu, professional football player
- Francis Owusu, professional football player
- Colby Parkinson, professional football player
- Jordan Payton, professional football player
- Michael Pittman Jr., professional football player
- Sofia Richie, model and fashion designer[7]
- Preston Strother, actor
- Kayvon Thibodeaux, college football player
- Marc Tyler, professional football player
- Peter Weber, television personality
References
- Sondheimer, Eric (July 11, 2008). "At Oaks Christian, name players are on the sideline". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 11, 2008.
- Mcgrath, Rachel (August 22, 2009). "Oaks Christian opens new middle school". Ventura County Star. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
- "History of Oaks Christian". Oaks Christian School. Archived from the original on 2016-07-23. Retrieved 2015-04-05.
- "Private Day School Near Los Angeles — Oaks Christian School". Oaks Christian School. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
- "Freshman Profile and Admission Information 2015 - 2016" (PDF). University of Southern California Undergraduate First-Year Student Profile. University of Southern California. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
- "Championships and Titles". Oaks Christian School. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
- Haithcoat, Rebecca (December 2016). "Family Business". Complex. Retrieved June 14, 2017.