Setting Us Apart

Each year, I watch the 8^th graders blossom and transform…from middle school students to high schoolers! There are many things they take with them – confidence, character, the ability to clearly communicate, written expression, mathematical abilities, the understanding of our past and present, the ability to hypothesize, and so much more. I know Oakhill provides a solid foundation for what is to come.

When I watched the 8^th grade perform at last month's Holiday Concert, I watched their unique personalities come out on stage. In many middle schools, there are a select few who choose to participate in drama and music…maybe they choose this as an elective and maybe they don’t! Maybe they are chosen by the music and drama teacher, and maybe they aren't! At Oakhill all of our 8^th graders have the opportunity to shine on stage…to share their talent in front of family and friends…to let their confidence grow even more. Those moments are important to me as an administrator…we are producing students who believe in themselves and know who they are!

Of course, hard evidence is just as important. As parents, I know you are always looking for evidence of value…and, you should be!

I want to take this opportunity to share with you some remarkable statistics. On Wednesday, November 7^th the eighth grade students took the EXPLORE test, which is part of the ACT family.  It is written for the 8^th or 9^th grade level with a goal of getting a head start on ACT testing and making sure students are on track for high school.  Via an inventory, it also suggests careers and course direction that match the student’s interest.  The test consists of a section in English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science with a high score of 25.  The English section has two components, usage/mechanics and rhetorical skills with a high score of 12.  Each student also received a composite score with 25 being the highest.  The charts below show how our students at Oakhill compared to the national norm group. Quite impressive AND expected!

Some interesting points: (For each of the following the high composite score is 25.)

In English our students average composite score was 21.6 compared to a national average of 14.7.

In Mathematics our students average composite score was 20.8 compared to a national average of 15.5.

In Reading our students average composite score was 21.1 compared to a national average of 14.6.

In Science our students average composite score was 20.8 compared to a national average of 16.6.

Overall composite:  our students averaged 21.2 compared to a national average of 15.5!  100% of our students scored ABOVE the national average!

We are excited to share our results with the entire community.  We understand that Oakhill is an investment.  The performance of our 8^th grade students on the EXPLORE is just one of many way we can show you the dividends.

Suzanne

The Next Generation of Field Trips

I love to travel! I truly believe traveling, whether near or far, is such a powerful experience for children of all ages. We can learn so much from road trips – culture, economics, map reading, independence, budgeting, geography, geology, ecology, and the list goes on and on!

When I was eight and had to get in the back of a hatchback for 10 days (no seatbelts back then were used), I probably didn’t realize the impact those travels would have on me. My family spent 10 days each summer driving around the US…hitting every state except for Alaska and Hawaii by the time I was in college (are we there yet?). Since then, my own family and I have made a point to mark those last two states off the list. Our past travels, similar (in a less exaggerated way) to those in Chevy Chase’s Family Vacation, have brought back many laughs and memories.

The power of travel motivates Oakhill to offer opportunities each year for our students whether it be in Kansas City, Hermann, MO, or Omaha, NE. Our middle school students are afforded the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. in 5^th and 6^th grade and the Florida Keys in 7^th and 8^th grade (every other year). On the off years, we have taken a Spanish Immersion trip to Minnesota’s Concordia Language Village and hope to head to northern Arkansas to visit Heifer International’s camp this Spring.

And, now…thanks to the passion of former Senora Herman and our 1^st-4^th Science specialist, Dena Cole, our 5^th-8^th graders are now going to have the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica this coming summer (completely optional). Last summer, Senora Herman and Mrs. Cole spent eight days in Costa Rica on a school tour for teachers who might be interested in bringing students to the Rainforest. I just watched Mrs. Cole’s presentation to the Middle School and WOW! I am excited!!!

Why are we going to offer a trip to Costa Rica? I thought I would do a Q & A with Mrs. Cole for the answers…

Mrs. McCanles: Why Costa Rica?

Mrs. Cole: It is such an authentic experience with a very professional tour company created to cater to school groups. Costa Rica has such a vast rainforest and the country spends a great deal of its money on education and ecotourism.

Mrs. McCanles: Why take 5^th – 8^th graders?

Mrs. Cole: A great mix of Spanish and Science. The students have the background necessary to appreciate the rainforest and the problems that exist. The students will have the opportunity to use their Spanish skills as they feel comfortable. And, most importantly, the students who were here in 3^rd grade spent a great deal of time on their rainforest projects and animals. Now, they get to go back with their “old” science teacher to bring those projects to life.

Mrs. McCanles: What are the top three things the students will take away from the trip/experience?

Mrs. Cole: 1) seeing the animals up close and personal in their natural habitat is incredible 2) just experiencing the rainforest is something pictures and videos cannot replicate and 3) the bonding and team building is unforgettable – the white water rafting and zip lining are icing on the cake.

Mrs. McCanles: What might you say to the parents to help them make a decision about this trip?

Mrs. Cole: As a parent, I sent my children on trips and I worried most about their safety and comfort. I’ll start with safety. I will be going on the trip and if we get 20 students another teacher will accompany me. We will also have parent chaperones with us. The tour guides are amazing – trained in first aid and ready to cater to your every need. The tour company was created just for school groups and the adventures are so well planned and organized…they thought of everything! The hotels were very nice and, the food is incredible – so many varieties to choose from; you will never go hungry!

As you can see from many of the pictures, a whole new world awaits us!

A great morning at Big Pine Key! Will be out at the reef snorkeling soon! The students loved the algae lab last night!