1. What kind of student most benefits from a school like yours?

We seek to admit students who are motivated, intellectually curious, and willing to engage both in the class room and in extracurricular programs. Some students who benefit most from our school are those who have “slipped through the cracks” in their previous schools where they have not had opportunities to forge meaningful relationships with faculty and where their leadership skills have not been tapped or cultivated. These students often flourish at a small school, particularly one imbued with the Quaker values of equality and community.

2. What do you think draws most students to look at and consider your school?

Most students who visit our campus are drawn by our friendly and inclusive community. Our students are welcoming and accepting, and the mutual respect between students and faculty is apparent in their everyday interactions. Prospective students are also drawn by our strong academic program which includes a host of interesting electives and allows a healthy balance between structure and independence. Most prospective students appreciate the fact that our student body is quite diverse across ethnicity, religion and socio-economic status.

3. What prompts most of their parents to consider your school?

Parents are drawn by many aspects of our program: opportunities for growth and leadership in our clubs, teams and committees; small class size; individual attention afforded each student; the richness of our curriculum; the safety of our campus; and the Quaker values upon which our program is based. Parents appreciate the emphasis on community as well as the respect accorded each individual student.

4. What percentage of your students receives some sort of financial aid?

39% of our students have been awarded financial aid for the 2008/2009 academic year.

5. If I were an intellectually talented student with a strong academic record and my public high school offered an honors program and had a solid college placement track record, why should I still consider attending your school?

The quality and depth of relationships forged at Oakwood Friends School sets us apart, even from the strongest public schools in the area. Those relationships facilitate not just intellectual growth, but social and personal growth as well. We place just as much emphasis on character development as we do on academic achievement.

6. If I were a student of above average academic ability earning mostly B’s in middle school, would I fit in at your school?

It’s hard to say! You would have the intellectual capability to succeed, though our teachers would certainly strive to spark your desire and level of motivation such that you would achieve your potential (whether that be reflected in grades of A’s or B’s). To “fit in” at Oakwood, you would need to be community-minded and demonstrate a willingness to engage actively, not only in the classroom but also in extracurricular and social aspects of our program.

7. What mechanisms are in place to ensure the health and welfare of your students, particularly if they are boarding students living away from home?

Each student has an advisor who monitors his/her academic and social progress and who serves as an advocate. Most faculty and administration reside on campus, so most advisors can be available to students outside of the academic day should the need arise. Oakwood also employs a full-time nurse and a night watchman. A dorm parent resides on each of the dormitory wings, in close proximity to the students, and the night watchman stations himself in the dorm overnight. Campus Accounting Procedures are practiced throughout the year to familiarize students with the procedures to be undertaken if there is an emergency situation on campus.

8. Are there any aspects of your school that you would assume most people don’t know, but should know, about your school?

Historically, Quakers have been strong social activists. They were among the leaders involved in the movements to abolish slavery, secure the right of women to vote, end warfare and promote the humane treatment of prisoners and the mentally ill. In keeping with the rich Quaker tradition of social activism, we take seriously our responsibility to foster a social conscience in our students. Ethical issues, social concerns and civic participation are explored in such classes as Quakerism and Political Advocacy. Our comprehensive community service program and environmental club expose students to a variety of needs in the immediate and surrounding communities. Clubs such as No Sweat and the New Orleans Club expose students to the needs of our more distant community and afford them the opportunity to be agents of change within them. Many of our students go above and beyond our community service requirement, initiating projects of their own and raising student (and faculty) awareness of social issues.

9. In looking back at their experiences at your school, what would most graduates be likely to say were the best parts?

Most graduates are likely to say that the relationships with others were the best part of an Oakwood education. Alumni often look back fondly at our community which they note to be inclusive and warm and often express the fact that they felt safe to take risks and to be themselves. They speak fondly of the close relationships shared with their teachers at Oakwood and note that those relationships nurtured both, their personal and intellectual growth. Finally, our alumni consistently report that they were well prepared for college work and that the skills learned here prepared them well for the challenges they would face in life.