Many graduates of The Oaks are encouraged to apply to colleges of all sorts, but going to college in the last five year has not gotten easier. If anything, it has become more challenging. Financial costs for universities have increased considerably and continue to rise. Cultural dynamics on college campuses have also changed dramatically. This has led parents and students to consider deeper questions in their cost benefit analysis. What is the purpose and value of college? What should we think of state universities? How should a student prepare best for college beyond their efforts in high school? What should the college experience really look like? To answer these questions, we are excited to have two amazing scholars join us and share their insights: David Horner (DPhil, Oxford) and Ben Merkle (DPhil, Oxford). Both gentlemen are scholars by training, have worked in higher education for many years, and have important insights about the current state of things in college.
The central question we want parents to consider is, “Are We Thinking Rightly About College?” Over the years, The Oaks has developed an amazing support for students and parents in their decision to pursue college and university. Not only are students guided through the often dizzying college application process but they are also assisted in securing scholarship money from countless programs. This could not happen, of course, without our college advisor Lynn Gibson, who, along with our events coordinator Beth Schulzt, participated to make this Parent Academy evening a success.
The Higher Education Symposium
How should we think about college these days?
October 1, 2022 • Dr. Ben Merkle, Dr. David Horner, Devin O'Donnell
Mother-Daughter Tea 2023
March 25, 2023 • Judy Palpant, Margaret Dowers
Elizabeth Elliot writes, “The fact that I am a woman does not make me a different kind of Christian, but the fact that I am a Christian makes me a different kind of woman.” Our girls need to hear this wisdom today, and to that end, we are pleased to announce that Judy Palpant was our guest speaker at this year’s Mother-Daughter Tea. As a missionary and a mother, an author and a speaker, a wife and now a grandmother of children at The Oaks, Mrs. Palpant shared her unique insights in her talk, “How Am I a Woman? Let Me Count The Ways.” It was followed by a small panel discussion led by Margaret Dowers and Abby Kuntz. Both are recorded here. We hope you enjoy!
What Does It Mean To Partner With Parents?
January 25, 2023 • Devin O'Donnell, Kenwyn Trotter
We hope your new year is off to a great start. We are excited for what 2023 has in store for The Oaks. As you know, we have a building project under way, and we are excited to fill that new space soon. But it’s important that you know that our mission remains the same: "The Oaks partners with parents who seek to raise classically educated young men and women who glorify Christ, shape culture, and shine the light of God's truth on all of life's endeavors." Sometimes we hear these statements and the words can simply wash over us, with little significance. But each word of the mission was carefully chosen, and one of our parent education objectives this year is to make sure you know why. In order to help with this effort, we will share a series of articles that explains several key phrases in our mission. The first point of focus is “partnership.” What does it mean to partner with parents?
College and the Use of Useless Studies
December 1, 2022 • Devin O'Donnell
As a follow up to our Higher Education Symposium back in October, I wanted to share a recent article I wrote on “https://www.classicaldifference.com/college-and-the-use-of-useless-studies/.” It challenges some of our more utilitarian presuppositions when it comes to the usefulness of college studies. This article is published in the latest issue of The Classical Difference magazine, a publication for families at classical Christian schools everywhere. There are great articles and resources for parents, as well as much encouragement to fight the good fight. "The Difference" is published by the Association of Classical Christian Schools and all members of this organization have a free subscription. You've likely seen them around The Oaks, so the next time you're in the office, feel free to grab one!