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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

The Elementary Campus Admission Process

List of 7 frequently asked questions.

  • When are applications due and when will we be notified of our admission decision?

    To guarantee a Kindergarten parent conversation, we ask that K-6 applications are submitted by November 22, 2024. We will continue to accept applications through December 13, 2024. Decision notifications will be posted on March 14, 2024 at 5PM.

  • When can I visit the school?

    Prospective Parent/Guardian Mornings are for parents & guardians who wish to learn more about Oakwood School's Elementary Campus (K-6). Applications need not be submitted prior to attending. 

    If your child is not applying until Fall 2025, we ask that you attend a Prospective Parent/Guardian Morning in the spring of 2025.

    Prospective Parent Mornings-Kindergarten
    September 10, 2024 
    September 24, 2024 
    October 10, 2024       
    October 22, 2024      
    November 12, 2024  
    November 21, 2024  
    December 3, 2024   
     
    Prospective Parent Mornings-Grades 1-6
    October 1, 2024          
    October 15, 2024       
    November 21, 2024  
    December 3, 2024   

  • When will my child visit the school?

    PLAYDATE & SCREENING

    All K-6 applicants and parents/guardians will be invited to participate in a grade-level screening. During these sessions, children will be asked to participate in a variety of activities that will help us get to know them. Parents/guardians will also be able to ask questions related to Oakwood’s curriculum and school life.

    We will notify the families of Kindergarten and Grade 6 applicants of their assigned dates in early January. For Grades 1-5, registration will be accessible via the Student Checklist upon submission of the application in Oakwood Connected.

  • Where do we park when we visit the school?

    Street parking is available directly across the street from Oakwood's Elementary Campus in front of St. Anne Melkite Greek Catholic Cathedral or on surrounding neighborhood streets. Please walk to the traffic light to cross Moorpark.

  • What are you looking for in an applicant? Also, are there any factors you are looking for in their parents/guardians?

    We seek students who are capable, curious and eager to learn, and will participate fully in the life of the school. Oakwood students engage in a rigorous academic curriculum, a comprehensive athletic program, and numerous opportunities in the visual and performing arts. We seek parents who subscribe to our aims and values and are committed to working in partnership with the school.

    Our admission process takes into consideration the personal as well as academic qualities of each applicant. The school is committed to achieving a balance in its classes – of boys and girls, of interests and talents, and of racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity.

  • We were placed on a waitlist, what are the next steps?

    If you are placed on a wait list, promptly select the option that indicates your interest in remaining on the wait list. Should we have the opportunity to go to our wait list, we will contact you. As always, you are welcome to contact us at any time.

  • Does Oakwood require the ISEE?

    6th Grade Applicants Only: Oakwood strongly recommends that students take the ISEE. The ISEE online registration form is available at www.iseetest.org, listing Oakwood as a score recipient. Our school code is 052146. Applicants should take the ISEE no later than January 10, 2025. Fee waivers are available upon request. For those who opt to forgo the ISEE, we require that applicants sit for a timed writing assessment.

About Elementary Campus Life

List of 8 frequently asked questions.

  • What are the school hours?

    Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM–3:00 PM. After-school care is available until 6:00 PM daily.

  • Is there aftercare?

    Yes! Oakwood offers after school care from dismissal to 6pm every day.

  • Does Oakwood have a hot lunch program?

    Yes! Elementary students may order lunch in advance through the online lunch program. Visit the Oakwood Kitchen page to learn more about hot lunch.

  • Is a bus service available?

    Oakwood currently offers bus service to and from Hancock Park, West Valley, Beverly Hills, Pasadena/Glendale/Los Feliz, and Culver City areas. More routes may soon be available. In addition, zip code lists are available which families may use to create carpools. View current routes, including bus stops and times, here.

  • Is there a uniform or dress code?

    Oakwood does not require uniforms; however, appropriate school-day dress is required.

  • What enrichment courses does Oakwood offer?

    Two times a year, afterschool enrichment courses are available to all K-6 students. Courses vary per session and year. Some courses include: architecture, animation, dance, jewelry making, cooking, animal encounters, chess, robotics, and many more.

    Click on the After School Enrichment tile or here to learn more.

  • What Service Learning/Community Service opportunities are available for students?

    The school seeks to instill a sense of stewardship and good citizenship; therefore, service learning is a vital part of the Oakwood program at all grade levels. Students learn the importance of civic engagement and responsibility as well as some of the ways that social, political, and economic factors shape community life.

  • How do parents/guardians get involved?

    Oakwood encourages parent/guardian involvement at every grade level. Volunteers are an integral part of the success of our school, both through events and activities. From assisting with the hot lunch program, development events, participating in the classroom or library, community service, planning parent/guardian socials, or joining the Green Team or the Diversity committee, there are many ways to volunteer.

    Learn more about Oakwood's PGO and how you can lend your support here.

The Secondary Campus Admission Process

List of 17 frequently asked questions.

  • If I’m enrolled at the Elementary Campus, do I need to reapply to the Secondary Campus?

    Although our Elementary Campus is located about one mile away, we are a K-12 school. Once your child is enrolled in the Elementary Campus, it is not necessary to apply to the Secondary Campus.

  • Does Oakwood offer shadow days?

    In an attempt to limit the amount of school missed by prospective students and to reduce the impact on our small classes, we do not offer weekday shadow visits. Instead, we recommend attending a virtual student info session and prospective family open houses. Applicants and their parents/guardians will also have the opportunity to tour the campus during a school day. Additionally, we welcome you to attend any of our performing arts or athletic events.

  • When are applications due and when will we be notified of our admission decision?

    To guarantee an interview and campus tour, we ask that Grade 7-12 applications are submitted by November 22, 2024. We will continue to accept applications through December 13, 2024. Decision notifications will be posted on March 14, 2025 at 5 PM.

  • When do we receive a tour and interview, and what can we expect on that day?

    Once your application is received and processed, you may self-select a campus tour and interview date. Campus tours and interviews are held during the school day. Zoom interviews are available upon request.

    The campus visit typically lasts approximately an hour and a half. Students and parent(s)/guardian(s) tour the campus separately in small groups and are led by members of the Admission Committee. Applicants will receive an individual student interview with a member of the admission committee or faculty/staff.

  • Does Oakwood require the ISEE?

    Oakwood strongly recommends that students take the ISEE. The ISEE online registration form is available at www.iseetest.org, listing Oakwood as a score recipient. Our school code is 052146. Applicants should take the ISEE no later than January 10, 2025. Fee waivers are available upon request. For those who opt to forgo the ISEE, we require that applicants sit for a timed writing assessment.

  • What are you looking for in an applicant? Are there any factors you are looking for in their parents/guardians?

    We seek students who are capable, curious and eager to learn, and will participate fully in the life of the school. Oakwood students engage in a rigorous academic curriculum, a comprehensive athletic program, and numerous opportunities in the visual and performing arts. We seek parents who subscribe to our aims and values and are committed to working in partnership with the school.

    Our admission process takes into consideration the personal as well as academic qualities of each applicant. The school is committed to achieving a balance in its classes – of gender, of interests and talents, and of racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity.

    Oakwood School admits students of any race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

  • Do you favor applicants from specific elementary or middle schools?

    Oakwood strives for our school to reflect the diversity of the larger community, and we are committed to enrolling students from a variety of schools and backgrounds. Accepted students represent a wide range of schools, from independent, public, religious, and beyond.

  • What if my child is homeschooled?

    If your child is homeschooled, you will need to provide recommendations and evaluations from the people working with your child. In addition, include any documentation of the topics of study, textbooks or books used, and an overview of the curriculum.

  • Does Oakwood accept international students?

    Oakwood School warmly welcomes families moving to the Los Angeles area. We are delighted to inform you that we offer the I-20 form to international students. As a day school, we do not provide boarding or homestay options, so we require all students to reside with their legal parent(s) or guardian(s) while enrolled. 

    Our admissions process for international families is designed to be as straightforward as it is for local families. To ensure you receive the best support, please reach out to our admissions office before scheduling your interview. We’re here to assist you at every stage!

    Testing: For students coming from non-English-speaking countries, we require the TOEFL I.B.T. with a minimum score of 100. Students applying for grades 7 and 8 should take the TOEFL Jr., while those applying for grades 9-12 should take the TOEFL I.B.T. Please ensure your scores are submitted by January 17, 2025. We look forward to getting to know you and welcoming you to the Oakwood family!

  • What is Oakwood’s readmission policy?

    When a student leaves Oakwood, readmission is not guaranteed. A student who has attended another school must be re-evaluated through the regular admission process and will be considered as part of the current applicant pool.

  • What is Oakwood's sibling policy?

    To qualify for consideration as a sibling in the application process, the applicant must have a sibling (a) who is currently enrolled in the school and (b) whom the School expects to re-enroll for the admitted sibling's entry year.

    Furthermore, since the School depends on every family's good citizenship at Oakwood, in the admission decision-making process the School will take into account the quality of the sibling applicant family's partnership, participation, and support.

    Finally, note that sibling admission is not guaranteed. In considering the status of a sibling applicant, and in addition to the criteria above, preference will be accorded to siblings only when all other significant criteria are judged by the Admission Committee to be equal. Sibling applications for grades K-12 are due on or before October 1, 2024.

  • Can we visit the school again after decision letters are mailed?

    Visits are available for Grade 9-12 applicants and parents/guardians only. If you or your child is interested, contact Secondary Campus Admissions at 818.732.3150 or secondaryadmission@oakwoodschool.org.

  • We were placed on a waitlist, what are the next steps?

    If you are placed on a waitlist, promptly complete the waitlist form to indicate your interest in remaining on the waitlist. As we begin to hear back from families, we will develop a clearer sense of our openings and you will be contacted. We encourage you to explore all your options, but do keep us informed of your continued interest; we will keep your waitlisted application on file should any opening occur during the summer.

  • What if we missed the admission application deadline?

    Applications received after the deadline will be considered only after all on-time applications have been completed. Late applications must be submitted online. Please email Secondary Campus Admissions at secondaryadmission@oakwoodschool.org to learn about the availability of spaces.

  • Does applying for financial assistance influence the admission decision?

    Oakwood’s Admission Committee conducts a review of candidates without knowing whether or not they are applying for financial assistance. After accepting the most compelling students, those who applied for financial assistance are referred to the Financial Assistance Committee to determine financial need. In many cases, these families are granted financial assistance awards. As awards are granted and funding becomes limited, some compelling candidates will be offered a place on the waiting list with the hope that a space and funding become available after the first round of decisions.

  • How many spaces are available for each grade?

    We generally enroll 40 new students in 7th grade, around 15-20 or so in 9th grade, and one or two in other secondary grades.

  • When can I visit the school?

    The best ways to get to know Oakwood School are to attend a Virtual Prospective Parent/Guardian Information Session and a Virtual Student Information Session. Additionally, we offer in-person events such as our Prospective Family Open House, campus tours, sporting events, and student performances.

About Secondary Campus Life

List of 10 frequently asked questions.

  • What are the school hours?

    MONDAY 8:45 AM – 3:30 PM
    TUESDAY 8:45 AM – 2:40 PM
    WEDNESDAY 8:45 AM – 3:30 PM
    THURSDAY 8:45 AM – 2:40 PM
    FRIDAY 8:45 AM – 3:30 PM

    The library is open daily before and after school.

  • Does Oakwood have a hot lunch program?

    The 1,800 sq ft state-of-the-art kitchen, servery, and dining area emphasize Oakwood's priorities for serving better food in a more environmentally responsible way. Locally-sourced and high-quality ingredients are used to prepare nutritious food from scratch. Each day fresh meals are prepared for breakfast and lunch, including vegetarian options, plus a salad bar, pasta bar, deli sandwich station, ice cream, beverages, grab-and-go items, and homemade cookies. The Kitchen is also open after school for snacks and beverages.

    In addition, lunch and snack options are available at the Student Store. Students are also encouraged to bring a healthful, nutritionally balanced lunch from home. Both the Kitchen and Student Store are cashless, and students use their student ID cards to purchase items. 

  • Is a bus service available?

    Oakwood currently offers bus service to and from Hancock Park, West Valley, Pasadena, Los Feliz, Glendale, and Culver City areas. More routes may soon be available based on interest. In addition, we provide families with zip code lists so that they can create carpools.

  • Is there a uniform or dress code?

    Oakwood does not require uniforms or other prescribed school wear. However, we do require appropriate school-day dress. Accordingly, we do not permit clothing which is inappropriately revealing, or which contains hostile or vulgar language, sexual references, or references to alcoholic beverages or controlled substances.

  • How does Oakwood help new students adjust to their new school?

    Following admission notifications, we invite all new students to participate in an orientation to meet teachers, students, and administrators. In addition, every new student will be paired with a buddy student from the same grade. Throughout the school year, Admissions hosts several new student gatherings for lunch and activities.

    Oakwood fosters a sense of inclusion and community through our weekly community gatherings, Town Meetings, bi-monthly grade-level meetings, and through Advisory. New 7th graders will be assigned to a senior buddy who will help them become acquainted with the school, and every student in Grades 7-12 is assigned a teacher or administrator who acts as the student’s advisor. In middle school, students meet with their advisors twice a week in small groups to discuss issues regarding transitions, community, identity, and much more. Students in Grades 9-12 meet regularly with their advisor to review and plan their academic program and to discuss academic and personal concerns.

  • How do parents/guardians get involved?

    Oakwood encourages parent/guardian involvement at every grade level. Volunteers are an integral part of the success of our school, both through events and activities, they support and thorough the funds they help raise. From assisting with the hot lunch program, the Student Store, development events, community service, planning parent socials, helping with Immersion courses and Oakwood Extension, or joining the Green Team or the Diversity committee, there are many ways to volunteer. All families are expected to give time and resources as they are able.

  • What is Immersion?

    The Immersion Program allows students to pursue an in-depth course of study during a two-week period. All Secondary Campus students take one Immersion course each year, which they must complete as part of Oakwood’s graduation requirements. Courses will meet daily during this period, with hours flexible in keeping with the program’s philosophy to move beyond the constraints of a normal school day. This is a graded course that will appear on a student’s transcript. There are a number of course offerings specific to middle school, and some are cross-graded.

  • What Community Engagement opportunities are available for students?

    Because the school seeks to instill a sense of stewardship and good citizenship, community engagement is a vital part of the Oakwood program at all grade levels. Through active involvement in their various communities (local, state, national, and international), students learn the importance of civic engagement and responsibility as well as some of the ways that social, political, and economic factors shape community life.

    Oakwood sponsors many community service projects including Oakwood Arts Outreach and dinners at L.A. Family Housing, Revlon Run/Walk for Women, and other activities with local organizations. Visit our Service Learning page.

  • Is Oakwood a school for the arts?

    While we are not an arts school, our commitment to the arts is equal to our commitment to academic subjects. Oakwood is a strong college preparatory school whose students are particularly attractive to colleges and universities because of the balance we provide between academics, the arts, and athletics. All Secondary Campus students are required to take a minimum of three years of visual and/or performing arts. Because of our statement of philosophy and careful construction of student schedules, students don’t have to choose one passion to pursue.

  • How does Oakwood value and welcome diversity?

    Oakwood’s appreciation of diversity is expressed throughout the programs, policies, and philosophy of the school. Oakwood’s goal of increasing diversity is a priority within all constituents of our community—students, faculty, staff, and administration. In the most recent Strategic Plan of the Board of Trustees, increased diversity is an explicit goal. Oakwood seeks greater ethnic and racial diversity as well as greater socio-economic diversity. The current 7-12 student body includes approximately 48% of students of color. Oakwood also expresses its appreciation of diversity in its curriculum. Oakwood has a full-time Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion who works on the admission staff as well as with families and students in the school. Click here to learn more about Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging at Oakwood.

Middle & High School Programs

List of 3 frequently asked questions.

  • What special programs are offered to middle school students?

    Humanities
    Middle school Humanities is a core academic course, integrating literature, history, expository and creative writing, critical thinking skills, current events, religion, philosophy, art, and film. This class meets every day for 70 minutes, thus providing a bridge from elementary to high school and establishing a comfortable “home base” in the midst of a K-12 community.

    World Language
    Students can select from Spanish, French, or Mandarin.

    Wellness
    Students enroll in this ungraded course for a trimester in both seventh and eighth grades. The course focuses on important issues faced in early adolescence and addresses issues of social, moral, and physical development.

    Outdoor Education
    Students in 7th Grade travel to Sequoia National Park for fun in nature and bonding. The trip occurs during the first week of school to further support the class transition to seventh grade.

    8th Grade Community Engagement Project
    Through their advisory group, 8th grade students devote the year to a group service-learning project of their choosing.

    Advisory Group
    Under the guidance of the Passage Ways curriculum, middle school students meet in advisor groups bi-weekly to discuss issues pertaining to their age group. Each middle school student will keep the same advisor for two years.

    CalArts
    Oakwood’s partnership with the California Institute of Art enriches our middle school arts program through weekly classes in special study courses, mentorships, and private lessons.

    Visual and Performing Arts
    In addition to the Middle School CalArts program, middle school students sign up for an additional art class.

    Course Offerings Include:
    Middle School Chorus
    Choraliers (audition only)
    Advanced Orchestra (audition only)
    Introduction to Music Composition
    Beginning Strings
    Beginning Brass
    Middle School Orchestra
    Introduction to Modern Dance
    Middle School Boys' Dance Jam
    Introduction to Theatre Art
    Advanced Technical Theatre
    Theatre Arts II (8th Grade ONLY)
    Introduction to Art
    Introduction to Photography (8th Grade ONLY)
    Introduction to Film/Video (8th Grade ONLY)
    Introduction to Sculpture (8th Grade ONLY)
    Computer Science
    S.T.E.A.M.

    Middle School Sports
    Students in grades seven and eight compete as members of the San Fernando Private School League. The “everyone plays” policy affords our younger athletes greater opportunity to practice their skills while still striving for the highest level of effort from each participant. Practices occur during the school day, while games are played after 3:30 PM. There are extended practice on Monday until 4:00 pm. 

    Middle School Clubs
    Some of the club offerings include: current events, endangered animals, math club, book club, debate team, cultural awareness, The Hoot (middle school newspaper), Student Council, yearbook, art & lit magazine, robotics, coding club, S.T.E.A.M. Council, dungeons and dragons, and more. Students may create additional clubs by obtaining a faculty sponsor.

  • What special programs are offered to high school students?

    Mentorship Program
    For high school students who wish to pursue advanced study in a particular artistic discipline, a mentorship program provides one-on-one contact with a CalArts graduate or graduate student with proficiency in that field. These usually take place during a student’s free period or after school. Past mentorships have included: jazz piano, landscape painting, acting lessons, among many others.

    Independent Studies
    Independent studies are an opportunity for in-depth study of particular subjects that are not offered in the regular curriculum. Students recruit a faculty sponsor to jointly devise a curriculum and must complete a program of instruction as well as a culminating portfolio or project.

    Special Topics
    While similar to an Independent Study, a Special Topic is an enrichment course that allows students to pursue special interests without the rigor of a full independent study.

    Advanced Studies Courses
    Course offerings vary according to student interest and ability. Currently, American Government, American History, Art History, Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Computer Science AB, English Language, English Literature, French Language, Human Geography, Music Theory, Number Theory, Physics C, Spanish Language, and Statistics are available.

    Senior Project
    After having completed their coursework in May, seniors devote 2-3 weeks pursuing a current interest or experimenting with a new idea. Senior Projects have included making documentary films, conducting oral history projects with senior citizens, assisting with the Special Olympics, working for a political campaign, apprenticing in a law office, participating in programs to assist the homeless, serving as an apprentice to a craftsperson, organizing a neighborhood watch, etc. The projects culminate in two days of seminars for faculty, administrators, and fellow students, discussing the details of each project.

    High School Clubs
    Asian Affinity Group, CAAMASO (Connecting African, African-American, Multiracial Students at Oakwood), Cultural Awareness, Debate, DIVAS of Color, GECO (Gender Equality Club at Oakwood), Student Council, Admission Committee, Yearbook, High School student newspaper, Global Nomads, Drama Club, Community Youth Partnership, Girls Learn International, Somos Unidos, Sound Crew, Sports Council, Film Club, Chiapas Project, Theater Tech, Mock Trial, Rainbow Alliance, Arts Fair Committee, International Thespian Society, Peer Tutoring, LA Family Housing, Prom Committee, and MANY more. Students may create additional clubs with a faculty sponsor.

  • Where do Oakwood students go when they graduate?

    Virtually all students go on to four-year schools, click here to view a list of colleges and universities attended by Oakwood graduates. If you would like to learn more about Oakwood’s approach to the college search process, please visit College Counseling.

Secondary Campus

11600 Magnolia Blvd 
North Hollywood, CA 91601-3015 
818-732-3000

Elementary Campus

11230 Moorpark Street
North Hollywood, CA 91602-2602
818-732-3500

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