Oakland School

Set on a stunning 450-acre campus outside Charlottesville, VA, Oakland School has been changing how students learn since its inception in 1950. Our scenic grounds provide ample opportunities for outdoor exploration and hands-on learning.

$29,900

A tuition assistance program is available for students of Oakland to families who demonstrate need through an online application process. The amount is determined on a case-by-case basis and according to funds available.

Each student receives a one-to-one period with the teacher responsible for coordinating the student's program as dictated by their individualized learning plan. Typically, the focus is reading, but it may also reinforce math, writing, organizational, or other skills as needed. Core academics include Reading, Math, and English, in addition to Study Skills classes, including Social Studies and Science, Physical Education, and Technology.

Technology is a key component of Oakland’s academic program. Students do most writing on the computer and practice keyboarding.

We incorporate chrome books for additional multisensory instruction, including various apps and games when possible, to promote student interest, reinforce concepts, and provide guided practice.

From nearby Charlottesville and Albemarle Country to as far away as Alaska, our graduates have gone on to attend public schools, boarding schools, and independent day schools around the country.

On-Site Parking

N/A

Oakland is a highly specialized school devoted to children who learn differently. While many students hail from the mid-Atlantic, students come from all parts of the country, as well as overseas, to experience our unique approach to learning.

Typical Oakland students:

• Boys and girls
• Grades two through ten (summer boarding begins at six years old)
• Average to above average intelligence earning and attention issues like dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADD/ADHD, executive function difficulties, and processing speed difficulties
• Neuro-typical or gifted children with no academic difficulties but need a more nurturing and individualized approach to learning
• Not for those with severe behavioral, conduct, or emotional issues

The entire staff of Oakland School is committed to creating a nurturing environment where students’ academic, emotional, and social needs are met. Because every child is unique and learns differently, we believe academic programs must be tailored for each individual.

Our goal is to help students achieve their potential so they will develop a love of learning, a firm sense of self-worth, and respect for themselves and others.

Our warm, nurturing atmosphere and farm-like setting create a safe space for children to understand that their brains work a little differently. Through intensive academic instruction and emphasis on character development, we guide students through a journey of self-discovery, unlocking their potential to succeed and develop the confidence to take on even greater challenges after Oakland.

Oakland's history starts on a small farm in Central Virginia when, in the middle of the 20th century, a pioneering woman opened her heart to shape new futures for students with learning differences.

In 1950, after serving as an elementary school teacher, high school assistant principal, and founder of her own private school for children in grades K-2, Margaret G. Shepherd (1899-1990) started a summer camp and school for children with learning differences. At the time, very little was known about reading difficulties such as dyslexia and learning differences. However, Mrs. Shepherd was drawn to children who had difficulty reading. Students from across the south flocked to the Oakland Farm Camp and School where children used phonics and multisensory instruction to learn how to read.

At the insistence of a group of parents, Mrs. Shepherd started the Oakland School in 1967 as a year-round day and boarding school. Mrs. Shepherd taught several students herself, specializing in helping children who, despite years of effort, had been unable to master even the bare rudiments of decoding. She excelled with these students, but her success came from more than just determining the structural analysis of words and the multisensory approach she employed; rather, she used positive reinforcement and a nurturing environment to teach students about life in general. She believed that building students' self-esteem was essential to their future success, along with setting high expectations and forming lasting friendships with her pupils.
For the last several decades, Oakland School has continued the tradition of providing specialized instruction for out-of-the-box learners. While much more is now known about dyslexia, dysgraphia, and other learning and attention issues, Oakland continues to be a leader in successfully teaching nontraditional students using Mrs. Shepherd's time-tested methodologies dating back 70 years in conjunction with technologies and ideas gleaned from modern research.

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We specialize in working with students who have learning differences like dyslexia, dysgraphia, and ADHD or who would benefit from an individualized learning plan. Our multisensory approach helps children become confident self-advocates, grow moral character, and finally enjoy school. At Oakland School, where every student thrives is not just an idea, it's a promise we have been keeping for the better part of a century.

Beyond the classroom, Oakland's built-in horseback riding program develops students' confidence, showmanship, responsibility, and empathy. Our scenic grounds provide ample opportunities for outdoor exploration and hands-on learning. Whether through academic success or unique extracurricular experiences, Oakland School empowers students to excel in school and beyond.