My son just finished his second summer at Oakland School. The self confidence he has gained over the last two summers is evident not only to us but to the teachers at the school he regularly attends, his grandparents, and the parents of his friends. Though dyslexia cannot be cured, he no longer thinks of himself as having a learning disability. His grades are absolutely wonderful and he is taking honors and advanced classes! The student teacher ratio and the individualized lesson plans allowed my son to be challenged in the subjects in which he excells and improve in the areas in which he struggles. The campus is absolutely beautiful. Visiting the campus and meeting with the students, teachers, and administration during the Open Houses offered throughout the year offers a wonderful opportunity to experience the Oakland farm and feel the sense of family. Sending my son away for 6 weeks was extremely tough on my husband and me the first summer, though my son only felt home sick the first week. This past summer, he could not wait to get to camp. He was trying to talk his other school mates into coming because it was so much fun. He has done so well that his attendance next summer will be entirely up to him. As of today, he wants to return to Oakland! He recognizes the value of the Oakland Way as do we. Many thanks to the teachers, students, and administration for giving my son the self confidence to reach his full potential in such a welcoming and positive environment! read more

Oakland School is an amazing school and has made a life difference for our son. The teachers are incredibly caring and proactive. Whereas in public schools our son was lucky to complete half a year of content in a year, at Oakland he is accomplishing 1.5 years of content each year. The low student teacher ratio makes all the difference, and the teachers truly work as a team. The farm setting is beautiful and low key. But the school does push the kids. Oakland fundamentally understands that all of us have gifts and that we need to accentuate those gifts and learn to work around our weaknesses. In the public schools that our son went to, they basically just focused on the weaknesses and we knew our son was capable of so much more. The improvement in our son's confidence and self esteem over the last two years has been amazing. The school has worked hard to improve parent outreach over the last two years and it shows. They are also working to integrate more digital tools, but have to balance that against a fundamental back-to-basics that has worked for decades. We strongly recommend that anyone with a bright kid that needs to overcome a challenge like dyslexia to consider Oakland. read more

My son graduated this summer from Oakland School in Keswick, VA. I can't say enough good things about this school. I recommend viewing The Oakland Way on their website to get a good idea about their methods and ideologies. Oakland also has a Facebook page where you'll see lots of input from students and teachers. My son went to Oakland as a shy 10 year old who up until that point had been homeschooled. He's advanced by leaps and bounds socially and academically, received a special award for the positive changes he's made and really enjoyed the 2 summers and 1 full academic year of boarding. Prior to that we drove the hour and a half round trip. He begged us to let him board and tho it was a sacrifice I feel it's made all of the difference. Oakland has a loving nurturing environment where the children make great strides to overcome whatever weaknesses they have while shoring up their strenghts, in my son's case art and music. Visit the school and make your mind up yourself. Speak to the students and other parents. Really the place speaks for itself. I'm sorry for the previous reviewers bad experience. It really is a special and wonderful place. read more

My two school-refusal kids are now happy to go to school and are aching to go back to the Oakland summer program (they even talk about possibly going as boarding students one day when they are older---it's that good.) While touted for its reading program, my dyslexic children also made huge strides in math. They couldn't get enough of it! The summer program seamlessly weaves horseback riding, swimming lessons, archery and nature walks with a strong academic curriculum to make the students feel like they are at the most coveted summer camp rather than summer SCHOOL. There's no other place like it. Perhaps that's why parents *around the globe* enroll their kids. My urban kiddos felt right at home in horse country and who wouldn't? The idyllic, historic setting is impossible to ignore, while the farm-to-table food impossible not to like. If you are looking for a positive, caring, supportive, unique and EFFECTIVE place for your children to learn, I highly recommend Oakland School. It was a life-changer for our family. read more

After spending one summer at Oakland School we knew this was the place for our son to receive the type of education he need to be successful. It was hard work but the teachers and staff worked with our son everyday to build his confidence and his academics. Starting with the basic reading and writing skills the 1st year then moving into more focused area of study for the second year is the way Oakland gives students success. They call it "The Oakland Way" and it is a mixture of Orton Gillingham, The Wilson Program and a their own way of teaching kids the skills to overcome their learning differences. These skills stay with the child as he or she goes through their educational career and then into their everyday life. This summer my son graduated from Oakland and he feels that he now has the skills and the confidence to go through school a successful student. Just the other day he said, "Mom and Dad, Thanks for sending me to Oakland." read more

Oakland School is simply a dream! The school takes its motto of "one student at a time" seriously. My child started out as a summer student struggling with basic math and reading skills. Our summer experience was so positive that we decided to do full time boarding. My child's self confidence and ability is soaring. She is now reading at grade level and achieving more than she ever dreamed was possible. I would (and do) recommend this school to anyone who feels their child's abilities are not being supported in their current traditional school environment. read more

This review should serve as a warning to any parent or guardian contemplating sending their child to this institution. This school is not a supportive and naturing environment. As a student, I spent four years stuck here from 1993 to 1997. Many of the teaching techniques utilized by the staff include public humilation in front of your peers and enforcing the idea that you are "learning disabled." Welcome to hell! Do NOT send your child here!!! Stay away from Oakland School. Medication is the only was to treat ADHD....don't waste your time, money and sanity!!!! read more

My daughter attended Oakland for 3 years -- both summer camp and winter school programs. Her experience was exceptional with individualized instruction in all subject areas, and special attention to reading and writing. The co-curricular activities -- soccer, cross-country, horseback riding, swimming, crafts -- were supervised by experienced and caring teachers and staff. If your child needs a reading boost, fresh air, fun, and character development, I recommend Oakland! read more

Oakland School offers the best boarding / summer program in the state! They give the individualized attention that all students need, and they do it in an extremely fun way. The grounds are beautiful! The staff is kind! And every one there is extremely happy to be a part of such a great community! read more

Oakland focuses on a highly personal approach to learning. The family atmosphere there is wonderful, and teachers work very closely with their students, since each student is assigned to one main teacher. Their process that has created outstanding results for students for more than 60 years! read more

I'm studying education innovation at UVA, and I was really excited to hear that Oakland's academic program features a daily one-to-one component, so each student gets individual instruction each and every day. read more

At Oakland classes are small-- its overall student-teacher ratio is only 5:1 so that every student gets the attention they need to reach their potential. You can't get that at most schools! read more