Student Life at OCA
Life at Oakdale Christian Academy is about more than what happens in the classroom. It’s a place where faith, friendship, hard work, discovery, and joy come together—where students are truly known, encouraged to be themselves, and challenged to become more.
From prayer and Bible study to field trips, friendships, service, and everyday learning, OCA creates a community where children can love school, grow in confidence, and discover the joy of doing difficult things well.
We are intentionally small by design, creating a community where students are known by the adults around them. That means knowing more than a child’s name. It means recognizing their strengths, understanding where they struggle, celebrating their progress, and helping them become increasingly confident in who they are and what they can accomplish.
Faith. Friendship. Challenge. Laughter. Hard work. Grace. Discovery. Belonging.
Our students are allowed to be children while being challenged to become more.
We offer an environment where teachers know their students, parents have a voice, friendships matter, hard work has value, and joy still exists in education.
At OCA, education isn’t simply about completing assignments or memorizing enough information to pass the next test.
We want students to understand.
We challenge them to think, question, persevere, solve problems and experience the satisfaction that comes from doing something difficult well.
And we believe children can be challenged academically without being crushed by unnecessary pressure.
We asked, they answered.
What is life at OCA really like? We went straight to the people who know it best—our students and parents. We asked about their experiences, what makes OCA different, and why they chose to call our school home.
Parent’s Faves
Student’s Faves
Individualized Learning
Every Child is unique and learns differently. We specialize in customizing our instruction to meet the students not only at their level, but also their interests.
Christ Centered
God’s love is exemplified, offering a safe and peaceful environment where students are kind and courteous. We pray and study the bible together.
Great Environment
Small class sizes allow the teachers to get to know each child’s personality and carte for them individually.
My Child Loves School
The natural result of all we do to ensure that our students are successful academically and emotionally.
Amazing Faculty
Good ideas are just that, ideas. It’s all in the execution, and excellence requires Godly mentors who are superior in skills and knowledge.
No Homework
Most homework just doesn’t contribute to learning for K-8 students. Actually, our students often do learning activities at home, but since it is reasonable and relevant, it doesn’t feel like homework.
FUN Field Trips
Every month our students explore real-life learning and have shared adventures that will last a lifetime.
Community Service
Selflessness can only be learned by doing selfless acts. A servant’s heart and humility are key to being Christ-like.
Creating Good Stewards
Our biblical approach to discipline supports the traditional values of respecting authority and honoring our peers.
Challenging Without the Stress
Making it fun inspires a kid to work very hard and learn more, without the pressure of performing or fear of failure.
Laid Back Learning
A comfortable environment helps the students relax and just be kids, as well as promoting learning by removing the “stuffy” feeling of average classrooms.
Awesome Teachers
Relationships are the key to inspiring children. If they know the teacher in on their side, they will work that much harder.
Freedom and Trust
The only way a child becomes trustworthy is by being trusted. A classroom based on trust requires fewer rules and allows for more freedom.
No Homework
They constantly read at home and often take home activities to work on themselves, but don’t consider it homework.
FUN Field Trips
We dedicate Fridays to targeted learning and fun activities. If we don’t have a field trip, we end the day at noon, allowing families a head start on the weekend.
Prayer & Bible Study
Can you believe it, the students themselves highlight this as one of their favorite things about going to OCA, further demonstrating that our students grow emotionally as well as academically.
Supportive Community
We require kindness and courtesy, and the kids love going to school where they know they won’t be teased or laughed at.
Great, FUN Environment
It’s not necessarily that we play a lot of games, but rather when a student works hard and finds success, it just feels good.
Yearly Camping Trip
Hume Lake offers a fantastic Christian camp where students find Christ through play.
Creating Leaders
100% of our students are successful and excel academically.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”
Psalm 32:8