FAQ
Why should I send my teenager to Academe of the Oaks?
Why choose a Waldorf education over other approaches?
Will my child graduate from an accredited high school if he/she attends Academe?
How challenging is the curriculum?
How much homework can my child expect?
What is the social life like in a small high school?
Even though Academe is a non-sectarian school, is it open to students of all religious faiths?
Is Academe of the Oaks a school for only academically gifted students?
Do you offer or plan to offer tuition assistance?
Will my child have to complete any admissions testing?
Could my child enroll during the academic year?
Do you have a sports program?
Who was Rudolph Steiner?
Are you an "arts school?"
What's unique about the kind of students who will graduate from Academe of the Oaks?
More questions? Please visit WaldorfAnswers.com.
Why should I send my teenager to Academe of the Oaks?
Academe of the Oaks offers a remarkable high school experience to students who want to be engaged in life to the fullest. Courses are intellectually stimulating, rich in content, and highly interactive. Classes are small, and students are viewed as individuals with their own skills and talents. The faculty is committed to providing each student with the support he or she needs to work toward his or her full potential, academically, socially, and morally.
The comprehensive curriculum weaves together intellectual, creative, social, and service components to establish a strong foundation for the maturing adolescent's lifelong interest in learning. Our four-year course of study is academically rigorous, and graduates of Academe of the Oaks may expect to go to the college of their choice.
Unlike the students at many schools, our students enjoy coming to class and participating in the life of the school. Students at Academe earn the respect of their peers by working hard and being a positive part of the school community.
If you are thinking about the critical importance of your children's high school education and would prefer the advantages of a Waldorf education, Academe of the Oaks may be right for you. We offer a first-rate faculty with excellent academic credentials and professional experience. Our tuition is comparable to, and in some cases less than, that of other fine private schools in the metropolitan Atlanta area.
Why choose a Waldorf education over other approaches?
In a Waldorf school, students are not simply taught how to take a test. They are taught to think. At Academe of the Oaks, we believe that students should be educated to become lifelong learners and compassionate human beings. Our curriculum balances academic and practical work to educate a student for life. To achieve this goal, the innovative Waldorf methodology and developmentally oriented curriculum address the student's changing consciousness as it unfolds, stage by stage. When taught according to the needs of their particular age, students tend to view learning as an essential part of their growth and identity.
Since its founding by Rudolf Steiner in 1919, the Waldorf school movement has grown to more than 800 schools throughout the world, with more than 150 of them in the United States and Canada. Academe of the Oaks is the 38th Waldorf high school in North America.
Will my child graduate from an accredited high school if he/she attends Academe?
Academe of the Oaks is a member of the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA). Currently, Academe of the Oaks has been granted full accreditation with the Georgia Accrediting Commission, and is pursuing accreditation with the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS), the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and AWSNA.
How challenging is the curriculum?
The curriculum is academically rigorous and challenging. At the same time, the emphasis is not on "busy work", but work that is thoughtful, creative, and meaningful. Students of broad interests and abilities thrive in this environment. Courses are often taught in a Socratic manner, are highly interactive, and are rich in content and activities. Students who graduate from Academe will be well prepared for college or university.
How much homework can my child expect?
Homework averages approximately two hours each day. The faculty works together to manage homework assignments in an effort to avoid overburdening students.
What is the social life like in a small high school?
As our students learn to take responsibility for their own development, they become more aware of their social responsibility to their classmates and the world. Students at Academe are known for their willingness to assist fellow students in and out of the classroom. They tend to work collaboratively, as opposed to competitively. Experience has shown that students in a small school learn to appreciate each other in very meaningful ways. The bonds that form in a small, nurturing high school are bonds that last a lifetime.
Even though Academe is a non-sectarian school, is it open to students of all religious faiths?
Students from all faiths are warmly welcomed into the student body and school community.
Is Academe of the Oaks a school for only academically gifted students?
This is a school for students who are engaged with the world and their own development as people. It is academically rigorous and prepares students well for the challenges of university life. At the same time, this is an excellent curriculum for students with various learning styles and diverse talents.
Do you offer or plan to offer tuition assistance?
Families considering financial aid should contact the school’s office to request the necessary forms. Academe of the Oaks uses School and Student Services (SSS) to process financial aid applications. SSS is a service of the National Association of Independent Schools. Based on the financial information parents provide, SSS gives Academe an estimated amount that a family can contribute to educational expenses. This helps Academe make fair and objective financial aid decisions. In addition to completing the SSS form, parents must also submit the most recent tax return filed by both parents. The deadline for submitting a financial aid application is Monday, February 22, 2010.
Will my child have to complete any admissions testing?
Yes. We will administer a test on site.
Could my child enroll during the academic year?
Yes. Academe of the Oaks offers a rolling admissions process in which qualified students may be admitted throughout the year. For high school students applying for Fall 2010, the deadline is Monday, February 8th. Applicants who miss the deadline should call the school office for different arrangements.
Do you have a sports program?
In addition to Physical Education, we offer basketball, volleyball, track and field, and ultimate frisbee. We also offer after-school programs, including a fashion club, self-defense, and a robotics club.
Who was Rudolf Steiner?
Rudolf Steiner was an Austrian philosopher and scientist who founded the first Waldorf School in Germany in 1919. His knowledge of child development has been supported by modern research in education and neuropsychology. Through Waldorf education, Steiner hoped that young people would develop the capacities of soul, intellect, and strength of will that would prepare them to meet the challenges of their own time and the future. Since its founding by Rudolf Steiner in 1919, the Waldorf school movement has grown to more than 800 schools throughout the world, with more than 150 of them in the United States and Canada.
Are you an "arts school"?
We offer a time-tested, rigorous college preparatory curriculum, including intensive work in the sciences, mathematics, humanities, and the fine and practical arts. This balanced approach is appropriate for students with diverse skills, goals, and backgrounds.
What's unique about the kind of students who will graduate from Academe of the Oaks?
Our students will be prepared to meet a multicultural and multifaceted world with enthusiasm. By immersing themselves in the richness of our programs and experiencing living ideals that challenge them, they are discovering how to contribute their unique gifts to the world.
We educate our students to be resourceful, productive, flexible, and thoughtful individuals who mature into intellectually and emotionally healthy adults. Our students typically go to the college or university of their choice or successfully pursue an alternative career path.
