PLANTATIO DOMINI
What do you envision when you think of a school?The planting of the Lord – it's not just a motto, it's a picture. We envision our school as a life-giving oak. After all, no other tree genus supports so much life.
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But we also see students as plantatio domini, trees planted by their Maker to grow into oaks of righteousness that he may be glorified (Is 61:3).
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At The Oaks Academy, our goal is to plant high school students by streams of living water, that they may mature into trees that yield fruit in due season, whose leaves do not wither and who prosper in all they do (Ps 1:3).
Why Christian Education?
The Father has invited us into his own delight in goodness and truth through his created world and his illuminating Word. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the testimony of the Lord makes wise the simple (Ps 19:1).
The Son has commanded us to make disciples, "teaching them to observe all I have commanded you" (Mt 28:20). Education is an essential part of expanding the Kingdom of God into our corner of Pennsylvania and beyond.
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The Spirit has empowered the body of Christ with teachers, and those gifted to teach are encouraged to use those gifts for the blessing of others (Rom 12:7).
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We are invited, commanded, and empowered by the Triune God to do Christian education at The Oaks Academy. Will you join us?
MEET OUR HEAD OF SCHOOL
Chad C. Ashby
Chad, a seasoned pastor and educator, and his wife Mindy have moved back to Western PA with their six children to invest in the lives of families and students in a place they love. Mr. Ashby (M.Div SBTS, B.S., B.A. Grove City College) has taught countless math, literature, and theology classes, coached dozens of soccer teams, written hundreds of articles, and baked thousands of cookies.
FIND CHAD AT
Meet Our Dedicated Board
Zeb Thomas
Pastor
Christ Fellowship Church
James Dudt
Pittsburgh Business Leader Gilbane Building Company
Valorie Checque
Senior Product Owner
PNC
Chad Baker
Partner
JWCF, LP
CHELSY GEVAS
Senior Staff Attorney
Christian Immigration Advocacy Center
Mark Fox
Owner
Fox Ford, Inc.
A COVENANTAL CAMPUS
partnering with Christian families for discipleship, feasting, and learning
Find out more about The Overstory, our school logo, and how it maps the growth of our students from Freshman to Senior Year.
FAQ
Answers for Parents . . .
Where is campus?
We share a campus with Christ Fellowship Church at 101 S College St. in downtown Washington, PA.
Is The Oaks a 5-day school, hybrid model, or homeschool?
It is a 5-day traditional high school. Our students are enrolled in a religious private school in the eyes of Pennsylvania.
Is The Oaks a classical school?
Are you covenantal or missional?
We are classically-minded, meaning we prize classic works of literature, teach using traditional, time-tested methods, and pursue virtue as an educational objective. We align with Charlotte Mason in much of her philosophy of education but are wary of some elements in today’s neo-Classical movement.
We are a covenantal school. We see ourselves as partnering with Christian parents in discipling their children. Parents must willingly submit to our Statement of Faith as part of the enrollment process.
How much will it cost?
Tuition will be in the range of $8-10k per year.
Are scholarships available?
Yes. Scholarship for students are funded by kindom-minded donors in the community and are awarded based on financial need.
Can homeschoolers take classes à la carte?
We may allow homeschool students to join certain classes. Much like a college campus, we believe that life together is an essential part of the education—something missed by those who are only on campus for a class or two each day.
What curriculum does The Oaks Academy use?
Books. We will not use any “big-box” curricula, online videos, or outsourced media. We trust wise teachers to lead students to learn from primary sources—things written by men and women like Dickens, Austen, Brontë, Twain, Jefferson, Lincoln, Plato, Euclid, Homer, Dante, and the Apostle Paul.
Is there anything for middle schoolers?
Yes. We have a co-op program called The Hearth available for homeschooling 7th & 8th graders that provides Algebra I and Literature & Composition. It is a fantastic on-ramp for students and families considering The Oaks Academy for high school. Read more about The Hearth
Will The Oaks have sports?
The long-term answer: Yes. A quality education engages the whole student—body and soul. Classically speaking, these have been referred to as music (education of the soul) and gymnastic (the education of the body). Which teams and what sports we offer will largely depend on the talents and desires of students who enroll. It may take a few years to get sports teams up and running.
Children have the right
to the best we possess; therefore, their lesson books should be, as far as possible, our best books.
Charlotte Mason