Our family lost our home in the Palisades fire earlier this year. It was devastating in every…read moreway--our daughter lost not just her home, but her beloved school and community, the only life she had ever known. Starting over mid-year was something we dreaded, especially with our fourth grader, who was heartbroken and understandably a tough sell on any new school.
But just a few days ago, as we drove to Oaks Christian, she turned to me and said, "Nothing has gone right this year... except for Oaks. I'm so excited to wake up and go to school every day."
This wasn't because it was just "fun" or "new." She didn't want to like Oaks. She wanted to go home. And yet, nearly three months later, she is still just as excited every day to be there.
I remember calling Oaks Christian, fully expecting them to say there was no space. I knew how in-demand the school is, and I thought we'd be gently turned away. But instead, they treated our situation with incredible grace and compassion. They didn't just squeeze us in--they took the time to really get to know us, even in the middle of their busiest admissions season. They created space for our daughter in every sense of the word.
They managed to condense an in-depth admissions process--testing, touring, interviewing both her and us--into a single day. I know that was no small ask, and I'll never forget how lovingly and efficiently they made it happen. Katina, our admissions officer, is everything you could want in a human being--warm, grounded, centered in faith, and truly kind.
Since enrolling, the school has only continued to exceed every expectation. The systems in place are exceptional, the administration is thoughtful and organized, and the teachers? Just unreal. We often find ourselves asking, "Is this school even real life?"
I recently joined our daughter and her classmates on a two-day trip to Sacramento. It rained, hailed, and was absolutely freezing--everything that could go wrong, did. And yet, it was the perfect snapshot of Oaks. Brant Childers, head of the Lower School, along with the teachers and assistants, were right there with us, every step of the way. They are real humans--transparent, kind, joyful, and deeply devoted to their students. They are the kind of people you dream of raising your children alongside.
The other parents blew me away too--funny, smart, down-to-earth. I immediately understood why our daughter loves her classmates so much. The warmth and kindness that radiate from this community is something special.
Academically, the school is rigorous and moves quickly, but because the teaching is so strong, the students are thriving. You can feel the love in the classroom. You can feel the joy.
We had considered moving to Orange County after the fire, but once our daughter got into Oaks, we knew: Westlake Village would be our new home. It was that simple. The school was enough to make that decision. We're so grateful for the years ahead here--for all three of our daughters.
Oaks has been a very bright spot in an otherwise incredibly difficult year. We are endlessly thankful.
