Oaks Christian School

Private, coeducational school in Westlake Village, California, United States

Athletics conferenceCIF Southern Section
Marmonte LeagueTeam nameLionsAccreditationWestern Association of Schools and Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, National Association of Independent SchoolsWebsitewww.oakschristian.org

Oaks Christian School (OCS) is a co-educational, college-preparatory, non-denominational Christian school serving grades 4–12. Oaks Christian School is located on 25 acres (10 ha) in Westlake Village, Los Angeles County, California. The school was established in 2000.^[3] As of the 2019–20 school year, total student enrollment is approximately 1,400 students. Approximately 70% of these students are enrolled in high school (grades 9–12), while the remainder comprise the middle school population (grades 4–8).

History

In 1997, eighteen acres (7.3 ha) in a Westlake Village industrial park were purchased for the original campus. Oaks Christian School opened in 2000 to approximately 160 high school students and 40 middle school students. By the year 2002, most of the school and campus infrastructure had been completed, with the exception of the Bedrosian Pavilion, a performing arts facility completed in 2007. Surrounded by the Four Seasons Hotel and the Dole Food Company headquarters to the east, the Ventura Freeway to the south, and a large industrial park to the north, only one property lies contiguous to the campus. That seven-acre property became available in 2007, allowing for expansion.

In the 2009–10 school year, Oaks Christian opened its new middle school facility on the adjacent property.^[4] In 2014-15, the Academy V program for fifth grade students was launched.^[5]

As of the 2019–20 school year, Oaks Christian opened a new on-site student dormitory that offers both 5- and 7-day/week boarding options. Additionally, the 10,000-square-foot (930 m²) Idea Lab (Innovation Design Engineering and Aeronautics) offers students a jump start into careers focused on STEM career paths. Admission is competitive (59% acceptance rate), based on a variety of criteria ranging from primary school grades, Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE) score, a personal interview, essays, and extracurricular interests.^[6]

Academics

Oaks Christian School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the National Association of Independent Schools, as well as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The average class size is 17 students. Fifty-one percent of the faculty hold advanced degrees, and 100% of the student body is admitted to colleges and universities. Among first-year students admitted to the University of Southern California, OCS is one of most-represented independent high schools.^[7]

Athletics

Oaks Christian School teams are nicknamed the Lions. The school is a member of the CIF Southern Section (CIF-SS) and competes in the Marmonte League. OCS sponsors 48 athletic teams across 26 sports. As of the 2019–20 school year, OCS holds a total of 49 CIF-SS championships (including six consecutive section titles in football in the 2000s), five CIF-State titles, 165 league championships, two Gatorade State Players of the Year, and one Gatorade National Player of the Year.^[8]

Since its inception, Oaks Christian has gained national prominence with its football team. The football program has developed numerous players who have been recruited for NCAA Division I programs and have played in the National Football League.

The Lions boys' and girls' track and field teams combined for five CIF-SS championships between 2014 and 2019.^[8]

Oaks Christian girls' water polo won its first CIF-SS championship in 2019 under Jack Kocur, who at the time also coached the Pepperdine Waves men's water polo team and was an assistant with the U.S. men's national team.^[9]

Notable alumni

Alex Bachman, professional football player
Phil Bickford, professional baseball player
Maya Brady, college softball player
Zach Charbonnet, professional football player
Jimmy Clausen, professional football player
Colin Ford (born 1996), actor
Max Heidegger (born 1997), American-Israeli professional basketball player
Dree Hemingway (born 1987), model
Malcolm Jones, professional football player
Cameron Judge, professional football player
Cassius Marsh, professional football player
Casey Matthews, professional football player
Nick Montana, college football player
Chris Owusu, professional football player
Francis Owusu, professional football player
Colby Parkinson, professional football player
Jordan Payton, professional football player
Michael Pittman Jr., professional football player
Sofia Richie, model and fashion designer^[10]
Preston Strother, actor
Kayvon Thibodeaux, professional football player
Marc Tyler, professional football player
Peter Weber, television personality
Alani Fua professional football player^{[citation needed]}

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "OAKS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL". Private School Universe Survey. National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
^ "College Counseling". Oaks Christian School.
^ Sondheimer, Eric (July 11, 2008). "At Oaks Christian, name players are on the sideline". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 11, 2008.
^ Mcgrath, Rachel (August 22, 2009). "Oaks Christian opens new middle school". Ventura County Star. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
^ "History of Oaks Christian". Oaks Christian School. Archived from the original on 2016-07-23. Retrieved 2015-04-05.
^ "Private Day School Near Los Angeles — Oaks Christian School". Oaks Christian School. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
^ "Freshman Profile and Admission Information 2015 - 2016" (PDF). University of Southern California Undergraduate First-Year Student Profile. University of Southern California. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
^ ^a ^b "Championships and Titles". Oaks Christian School. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
^ Ledin, Loren (2019-02-17). "Oaks Christian captures first CIF girls water polo title with overtime win in Div. 3 final". Ventura County Star. Gannett Co., Inc. Retrieved 2021-02-27.
^ Haithcoat, Rebecca (December 2016). "Family Business". Complex. Retrieved June 14, 2017.