Choices, Choices, Choices

As my family begins to look at High School options for my 8^th Grade son Brady, I enter each tour, each visit, and each discussion with a whole new perspective on the admissions process. Instead of Head of School, I am parent, educator, consumer… this gives me a different set of eyes and a new way to look at what “the right fit” truly is!

The independent private school admissions office is always evolving… at Oakhill, in the Midwest, and across the Nation. Although each school differs in recruitment methods and admissions processes, our goals remain the same – to attract great students, great families, and true partners in education.

Our Admissions office at Oakhill is a busy one. Leah, our Admissions Director is busy fielding phone calls, walk-in and scheduled tours, student visits, and more... all to gear up for Oakhill's Open House on November 23^rd from 10:00 a.m. - Noon. Last year’s Open House was our first one-day, weekend Open House event and was a huge success – more families than guides to show all of the anxious prospective families around! Now that's a wonderful problem to have. This year, we anticipate another successful event. Our four 8^th grade Ambassadors, along with many additional administrators and Oakhill parents, will lead tours throughout day. Prospective families will enjoy traversing through the campus, meeting teachers, asking questions, hearing how Oakhill stands apart from its competition. Most importantly, we hope that everyone will see/feel what our school is all about because deciding on a school for your child is one of the most important decisions you'll make!

We are doing our very best to promote this event, an event we consider the kick off to the admissions season… through a billboard, postcards, advertisements, and more. We hope you will take a look at your friends, neighbors, business colleagues, and the like to see who you know that would benefit from an Oakhill education. Invite them to our Open House, let us know you are talking with them, help us share the Oakhill Story!

Tis the Season… for Oakhill admissions! Together, we grow!

Suzanne

What is a signature event?

There are many things students look forward to in a given school year, but we have a few events that are truly signature! Our goal is for each school year to have SOMETHING the students really, really, really look forward to! The event has a reputation that precedes it!

In Kindergarten, it is the hatching of the chicks! They learned so much before the eggs arrived, during the week long wait in the incubator, and after the hatch! This is truly something special and an event no child will forget. Our older students still make the journey to the Kindergarten rooms during the hatching “season” to see the chicks!

What are some of Oakhill’s signature events? Here is a sampling…

Early Learners – Ms. Ferris and Mrs. Ely made sure the camping unit came to life with tents, flashlights, roasted hot dogs, and smores!

First Grade – Mrs. Manley and Mrs. Parrack bring Hawaii to Oakhill each winter – hula dancing, Hawaiian delights, and lava cakes!

Sixth Grade – Mrs. Newhouse leads the 6^th grade in the design and creation of a haunted house for all ages.

Eighth Grade – Mr. Feagles joins the newly graduated 8^th graders the last day of school on an afternoon adventure!

I haven’t listed all of our signature events – what do you believe are Oakhill’s signature events each year? I would love to have you share your thoughts… ask your students… see what stands out to you... each and every year!

Suzanne