Welcome from Head of School

Back to Student Handbook — Grades 4-8

Dear Oaks Christian Middle School Parents and Students,

Welcome to the 2023-2024 academic school year! We are excited to have you at Oaks Christian Middle School and count it a privilege to be able to engage with you in our mission of “preparing minds for leadership and hearts for service.”

We have compiled this handbook to provide a guideline governing our commitment to you as a member of our learning community. Its content spans from issues of academic concerns to student life to parent partnership. Although the school has prepared this handbook with intentionality and thoughtful planning, there is no doubt that there is likely additional challenges and unforeseen concerns that come up as we walk through this school year together. When this occurs, we will do our best to communicate with you clearly and quickly, as may be appropriate.

This handbook seeks to address most of the normal expectations of school life at OCS, and therefore, it is important that every parent and student read through the entire handbook to become familiar with its content. Students and parents are responsible for understanding the procedures and policy guidelines outlined in this book and are required to sign the provided form stating that the handbook was read, understood, and agreed to for compliance. Information, policies, procedures, and guidelines are an attempt to help the community operate smoothly and fairly, while still allowing for discretion, discernment, wisdom, and grace. The spirit of this handbook is to allow OCS to operate the school in such a way as to give glory and honor to God, while giving respect and dignity to each student, parent, faculty, and staff member in a compassionate and caring way. Our desire is to teach and develop the character of our students, and our expectation is that they will use appropriate and sound judgment when given responsibility. It is with that explicit and heartfelt spirit that we offer this handbook to the school community.

Our student community has a unique opportunity and responsibility to set the bar and the culture of the school for the future. OCS students will determine: school pride and spirit; academic, artistic and athletic reputation; spiritual development and leadership; and service to the surrounding community. In short, the reputation of the school.

We’re excited that you’re here and please join us as we seek to build a culture of “One Oaks Christian.”

Blessings and Welcome to OCS! Robert T. Black, Head of School