I must admit when I first graduated from Oakwood most of my reflections about the place were about the awesome people and their diversity. The wealth of information that comes from having a diverse community, all of which I still stand by. However, having gotten older I tend to reflect now more on the philosophy of Oakwood, its mission and how it fits into what seems at times to be such a chaotic society. 

Oakwood helped me live a well-rounded life. At Oakwood, academic success is just as important as creative expression, athleticism, and care for others and the world. More than a decade later, well into adulthood, this sense of balance and variety is still something I strive towards every day.

Oakwood is a tight knit community where you will meet people from all walks of life and from all over the world. It’s a place where everyone lifts you up and encourages you to do better and to be better. They didn’t try to shield us from the horrors of the world. 

Among the many lessons I learned as a student at Oakwood Friends was the value of mutual respect for open discussion. Being in a high school where students, faculty, and staff were all encouraged to speak and listen as equals had a profound and sustaining impact on me. I still use this lens to evaluate my personal and professional relationships today.

Oakwood exposed me to a wide variety of backgrounds and personalities. The small size of Oakwood encouraged me to be friendly with everyone in the community. The ability to be involved with team sports and get playing time in a game regardless of skill level was a great opportunity to get physical activity almost every day and to improve throughout the season.

What is special is the diversity of our community. You are not in a single friend group, everyone supports everyone, and we learn from each other. 

"I love how you meet people from all over the world at Oakwood, it's really amazing to see. I would say that it's a really great school that does its best to cater to what each individual student needs to learn their best

I felt important and loved for the person I am. At Oakwood I felt like I mattered, could make a difference in the community and the world.