On average, Oakmont’s first-year enrollees are 18 years old, have been unsuccessful at two previous high schools, and score at the 5th grade level in literacy and numeracy. Compared to their peers in the traditional system, Oakmont students have faced more adverse childhood experiences, have had more contact with the juvenile justice system, and have higher levels of special needs.
But the Oakmont team welcomes these students and accelerates them through an innovative, engaging, 21st Century approach to education that helps break the cycle of failure with a genuine support network, individualized hands-on education and skills-based job training.It’s a brilliant academic model combining an individualized, self-paced program with hands-on work experiences that respond to each student’s particular needs. This allows students to earn their diploma while earning industry credentials in skilled trades, construction and manufacturing, information technology, the retail and hospitality fields, and community health.
In another, students were studying health science and phlebotomy, working towards earning critical certifications to be the next generation of nurses and healthcare professionals.
Another classroom of students wore chef hats and professional aprons, not only learning the safety and basics of culinary arts, but also putting what they are learning into practice every single day in their state-of-the-art kitchen facility – making us a sumptuous lunch, all under award-winning chefs.
Where traditional schools see – and offer – little or no hope to these students, Oakmont sees exciting opportunities for success and achievement, connecting young men and women to their potential by aligning learning to their unique needs.
