This past May, Oxford Day Academy received WASC accreditation, a milestone that ensures our graduates’ hard work will be recognized by colleges and universities across the country. Earning accreditation before we completed our very first year is a testament to the incredible talent and work ethic of our students, staff, and governing board.
As proud as we are of this achievement, our team is already focused on what must come next. After months of planning, a group of rising ODA tenth graders worked with ODA staff members to run a summer academy for incoming ninth graders for the last two weeks of June. The goal of this program was to educate new students on the why and the how of the ODA method. They experienced key pieces of our instructional model and met the team that will be guiding them through the next four years of their educational journey. Our Socio-Emotional Learning (SEL) coordinator, Darien Dabner, explains the particular role of his SEL orientation in preparing our new students for the rigors of ODA:
“In keeping with ODA’s mission to transform the traditional public high school model… our SEL strategy and goals are designed to establish and develop a foundation for advanced academic performance and improved overall quality of life. Through our data-informed curriculum design, students and staff will utilize problem-solving strategies and critical thinking analysis to deepen their academic insights as well as enhance their academic, personal and social breadth of awareness in the areas of Self Awareness, Self management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills and Responsible Decision Making.”
We can’t wait to officially begin year two this August. In the meantime, thank you to all of you for your love and support for our school every step of the way!