Private School in the Santa Barbara area, Southern CA

Oak Grove School, Ventura County:
Located in Ojai, California, south of Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, Oak Grove School offers innovative early childhood, elementary, junior high school programs, a college-preparatory high school, and a family-style boarding program all nourished by the educational vision of its founder, philosopher and educator J. Krishnamurti. Small classes in a natural environment are guided by experienced teachers who encourage discovery and inquiry while supporting exceptional academic, creative and personal growth. 203 day and boarding students attend Oak Grove School.

Co-Educational Pre-K-12 Day & Boarding School Programs:

Early Childhood:
Oak Grove’s expanded early childhood program emphasizes the emotional and academic benefits that can take place when parents and children learn together. Three facets make up the early childhood program at Oak Grove School. They include parent-infant and parent-toddler classes, a developmental preschool for three- to five-year-olds, and a transitional kindergarten program.

Infant-parent & toddler-parent classes:
Observation, interaction and trust provide a foundation for Oak Grove's infant-parent and toddler-parent programs. Children and parents come together to learn, play and observe. Facilitated by an early childhood educator, these gatherings give parents and children the opportunity to connect with other families in an enriching, safe environment and ask questions about child development. Infant-parent classes (newborn to 18 months) meet weekly for an hour, with approximately four infants per group. Toddler-parent classes meet one or two times each week for a two-hour period and include approximately eight toddlers per group.

Preschool Program:
At Oak Grove's preschool program, an environment is created where learning takes place naturally and intellectual growth flourishes, but is never forced. Through stories, art, nature, indoor and outdoor activities and movement, children are supported as they explore their world and become more independent. Emphasis is placed on healthy peer relationships and peaceful conflict resolution skills. See the admissions section for an overview of early childhood program tuition fees.

Kindergarten:
The Oak Grove kindergarten classroom provides a balance of small group, whole group, and individual activities, which nourish a sense of wonder and reverence for all life. The children experience a balance of active exploration and periods of quiet work in small classes of approximately 15 children. The curriculum goals are appropriate to the developmental level of the child, beginning with the manipulation of concrete objects and moving toward more abstract skills. A solid relationship between the kindergarten and the elementary school curriculum provides a gentle transition to the elementary school.

Elementary School:
The elementary school is divided into six homeroom groups, each averaging 14 students. First, second and third grade classes meet from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; and fourth to sixth grade, from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. All classes dismiss at noon on Wednesdays. The homeroom teacher instructs math, science, language arts and social studies. Homeroom classwork is supported by staff specialist instruction in art, instrumental and vocal music, including Orff-Shulwerk, drama, horticulture, computer and science labs, library skills and Spanish. Physical education is offered four days each week, introducing students to a variety of cooperative sports, games and team activities. Outdoor education programs support the child's academic and social growth while providing a vital connection with the environment.

A dedicated elementary/junior high library and resource center provides a comfortable space to enjoy a good book, develop beginning computer research skills, or get extra help with schoolwork. Elementary and junior high students also utilize Oak Grove's fully equipped art facilities, and they showcase dramatic productions on the Pavilion's outdoor stage or the indoor student center.

Junior High:
At the seventh and eighth grade level, the journey from child to young-adult intensifies. Addressing the unique academic, social and emotional needs of the junior high student is paramount. Transformation is key at this age: transformation from elementary student to high school scholar and from child to young adult. This time of change presents tremendous opportunity for academic and social learning, for personal growth, and passage from one stage of life to another.

Oak Grove greets these opportunities with a balance of traditional and experiential learning, of high expectations and mutual respect, and with a keen awareness of the adolescent spirit.

High School:
Oak Grove High School offers a small, intimate, inquiry based day and boarding program that blends college preparatory academics with deep exploration of life’s issues. Teachers support open-minded and spirited discussion, encourage inquiry, and strive to develop in each student a self-reflective capacity that leads to inner honesty, independence and integrity. Graduates go on to college having developed a global perspective, sensitivity toward the environment and human relations, and exceptional critical thinking skills.

College Placement:
Fulfillment of Oak Grove's graduation requirements exceeds admission requirements for the University of California and other highly selective schools around the country. A partial list of colleges attended by Oak Grove graduates includes: Boston University, Swarthmore, Yale, University of Redlands, University of Southern California (USC), Tufts, Cal Arts, Mount Holyoke, New York University, College of the Atlantic, Wellesley, Vassar, and all campuses of the University of California.

The Arts:
Oak Grove High School has a noted fine-arts program, which provides the tools and guidance for sophisticated artistic expression and understanding. Facilities include a fine art studio, photography lab and darkroom, ceramics studio, a music recording studio and professional slide-making equipment for portfolio preparation. A partial list of art schools attended by Oak Grove graduates includes: The Rhode Island School of Design, The Academy of Art in San Francisco, Otis College of Art and Design, California Institute for the Arts, and the Lorenzo de Medici School of Art in Italy.

Athletics Program:
Oak Grove has a highly developed, challenging physical and outdoor education program. Often dovetailing with academic studies, students and faculty enjoy sailing, rock climbing, mountain biking and water sports such as surfing and kayaking. Camping trips at the elementary- through high-school level provide opportunities to learn and practice outdoor skills in a safe and supportive setting, supplementing regular physical education classes. Facilities at Oak Grove include two athletic fields, playgrounds, trails, tennis and basketball courts.