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WHAT
IS AN IB WORLD SCHOOL?
Schools recognised by the International
Baccalaureate Organisation and offering the IB curriculum
are known as IB World Schools.
IB is the abbreviation for International Baccalaureate.
It is an internationally-recognised school system made
up of three educational programmes:
- PYP:
The Primary Years Programme (Kindergarten to Class
6).
- MYP:
The Middle Years Programme (Class 7 to Class 10).
- DP:
The Diploma Programme (Class 11 and 12).
The
IB programme was founded in 1968 by the International
Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO), a non-profit educational
organisation based in Geneva, Switzerland.
ARE
THERE ANY OTHER IB WORLD SCHOOLS IN INDIA?
For an updated list of IB authorized schools in India please visit www.ibo.org
WHY
SHOULD I OPT FOR OAKRIDGE AS THE SCHOOL FOR MY CHILD?
The systems adopted at Oakridge help your child become
competent enough to keep pace with the phenomenal growth
of human knowledge in today's world and be in sync with
the consequently changing nature of our work as also
the variable demands of the modern workplaces.
WHAT
KIND OF A SCHOOL IS OAKRIDGE?
Oakridge is a school that prepares children to be globally
competent citizens with an international understanding
and futuristic outlook.
WHEN
WAS IT ESTABLISHED?
The idea of Oakridge started taking shape in the year
2000 and the institution became functional in the academic
session of 2001.
IN
WHAT WAY IS OAKRIDGE DIFFERENT FROM OTHER SCHOOLS?
At Oakridge the children are guided to become self-learners.
A lot of emphasis is placed on promoting education of
the whole person. The children are encouraged to become
inquirers and life-long learners.
WHAT
ARE THE SPECIAL FEATURES OF OAKRIDGE?
Oakridge, in every possible way, focuses more on ‘learning’
rather than ‘teaching’. So, the emphasis
at Oakridge is on developing amongst the students all
the skills, aptitudes and attitudes required for the
creative construction of their own knowledge through
questioning, reading, exploring, dreaming, formulating
and testing hypothesis as opposed to the general practice
in schools of merely programming into the child a certain
body of information. The well-trained and committed
staff, the innovative teaching methods adopted and the
excellent infrastructure effectively facilitate this
very special focus of the institution.
HOW
IS OAKRIDGE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ADMINISTERED? IS THE
SCHOOL DIVIDED INTO DIFFERENT ADMINISTRATIVE SEGMENTS?
Classes Pre-Primary 1 to VI form the Primary School that is supervised by the Headmistress, Mrs. C. Adilakshmi, who is also the Coordinator for the Primary Years Programme of the International Baccalaureate. Classes VII to X constitute the Secondary School and Classes XI and XII the Senior Secondary School that is under the supervision of the Vice Principal, Mr. H. Ravichandran. The Principal, Mr Janajit Ray, is the overall head of the institution. The School plans to launch the IB Diploma Programme in April 2006.
WHAT
IS THE STUDENT STRENGTH IN EACH SECTION?
Each section has a maximum of 25 students.
YOUR
STUDENTS ARRIVE AT SCHOOL IN AIR-CONDITIONED BUSES AND
SPEND FROM 8 A.M. TO 4 P.M. IN AIR-CONDITIONED CLASSROOMS.
HOW DO YOU ENSURE THAT SUCH PRIVILEGES DO NOT BREED
UNDESIRABLE FEELINGS OF BEING EXCLUSIVE AND ELITIST
AMONGST YOUR STUDENTS?
In today’s world air-conditioning should not be
looked upon merely as a privilege of the affluent classes.
In cities like Hyderabad, where levels of pollution
are high, traveling to school in air-conditioned buses
protects children from being harmed by such pollution.
Then, it has been proved comprehensively that air-conditioning
improves people’s productivity substantially and
all modern workplaces insist on air-conditioning due
to this. When children are working on constructing their
own knowledge creatively in a school, there too air-conditioning
enhances their productivity. However, the problem arises
when children get used only to an air-conditioned environment
and start looking at air-conditioning as a status symbol.
In order to ensure that this doesn’t happen, the
school day at Oakridge is scheduled in such a way that
students compulsorily spend a good segment of their
time in school out in the open, either on field trips
or playing games and sweating it out or undertaking
community work projects that engender feelings of caring
for and the desire to share with under-privileged people.
Details of the kinds of community work Oakridgers do
are given in the relevant section of this website.
HOW
DOES OAKRIDGE ENSURE THAT ITS TEACHERS ARE EFFECTIVELY
IN SYNC WITH THE VERY DIFFERENT KIND OF SCHOOLING THAT
IT PROPAGATES?
The teachers of Oakridge, though they generally come
from the regular conventional kind of schools, have
to go through a rigorous process of recruitment that
identifies people who have a strong base in the subjects
of their choice, are creative and child-centred in their
approach, desire change and are willing to learn. Before
they start teaching, Oakridge teachers are made to go
through several in-house orientation programmes regarding
the philosophy and focus, the general systems and methodology,
the evaluation system and the like. In addition, all
of them are provided a 10-day training in using computers
for effective classroom teaching. Primary teachers have
to do the PYP Introductory workshop organized in conjunction
with the IBO. Thereafter, they go through several workshops
and re-orientation programmes throughout their tenure
at Oakridge.
ACADEMICS
TO
WHICH NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL BOARDS OR ORGANIZATIONS
IS OAKRIDGE
AFFILIATED?
As an international school catering to students in the
Indian context, Oakridge is primarily affiliated to
the Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE), New
Delhi. We are also authorized by the International Baccalaureate
Organization to offer the Primary Years Programme (PYP
and have attained the status of an IB World School since
October 2004.
HOW
IS IB DIFFERENT FROM, SAY, CBSE? IS IT ONLY FOR GIFTED
CHILDREN? CAN MY 'NORMAL' CHILD COPE UP WITH ID?
The IB programme is more practical and application-based.
It has a broader spectrum of subjects that lead to all-round
development.
IB examinations test students' knowledge, not their
memory and speed. There are no examinations till the
Middle Years Programme (Class 10). The focus of the
IB pedagogy is on 'how to learn' rather than 'what to
learn'.
The purpose of IB is to produce global citizens.
But sometimes, the IB programme does use the local curriculum
as a base. The IB curriculum is more challenging than
educational boards like CBSE and ICSE. But the challenge
is in the quality of assignments, not in the amount
of work assigned
WHAT
IS THE ACADEMIC FOCUS AT OAKRIDGE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL?
Like in all Smart Schools, the syllabus at Oakridge
is not seen as a body of information to be programmed
into the child, but as a structured, proven means to
develop a set of abilities and aptitudes in a child.
The curriculum is delivered through an innovative combination
of classroom and activity-led learning. This approach
ensures that children are not merely memorizing lessons,
but are internalizing knowledge that they can utilize
in everyday life.
Oakridge International does acknowledge the need for
giving homework in order to ascertain whether the students
are capable of working independently with the knowledge
acquired in the class room as well as to make the students
practice certain structures and systems for gaining
the requisite expertise in the same.
Academic work to be done at home is kept at a minimum
up to class V as having spent a long day in school many
of the younger children are often very tired by the
time they get back home. Most of the homework given
is set mainly for the weekends.
At the beginning of every term, every class and section
throughout the school is given a schedule for subjects
for which homework would or may be set on every particular
day of the week. This schedule is available in the school
diary and must be religiously adhered to by all concerned
WHAT
IS THE DURATION OF THE ACADEMIC SESSION OF THE SCHOOL?
The school calendar year is from June to April. However,
we have the academic session for classes VII, VIII,
IX and X beginning in mid-March and ending in mid-February
of the next year.
HOW
ARE CHILDREN ASSESSED AND EVALUATED AT OAKRIDGE?
We use, in every level of the school, our very own evaluation
system – known as the Touchstone – that
focuses on skills, aptitudes and attitudes required
for the general all-round development of a child’s
personality as well as achieving excellence in specific
subjects and activities. Details of this system are
provided in the relevant section of this website. In
addition, from Class IV onwards, our children appear
for regular term-end examinations – known as Trials
– to help them get attuned to the demands of the
examination-oriented evaluation obtaining elsewhere
in this country and devise strategies to excel there
too. When seen together, the Touchstone ratings and
the Trials scores, provide the students and their parents
with a clear assessment of their strengths and weaknesses.
WHAT
IS THE TEACHER-STUDENT RATIO AT OAKRIDGE?
The teacher-student ratio at Oakridge is approximately
1:10 at present.
WHAT
KIND OF COUNSELING AND CAREER GUIDANCE DO STUDENTS HAVE
ACCESS TO IN OAKRIDGE?
Oakridge has a Clinical Psychology Unit headed by a
well-known clinical psychologist and manned by several
full-time remedial teachers. This unit identifies and
deals with learning disabilities as well as knowledge
gaps amongst children of all classes. Members of the
unit regularly counsel children with behavioral problems.
We also have put in place a system of aptitude testing
for children of Class VIII and above. We will have proper
career counseling from Class XI onwards.
ARE
STUDENTS TRAINED FOR INDIAN COMPETITIVE EXAMS?
No, as of now – though we have certain programmes
for gifted/advanced learners to be challenged with academic
work well above the general level. We do have plans
as well as the in-house expertise to provide special
training for some of the competitive examinations later
– for those who opt for the same at the classes
XI and XII level.
ADMISSIONS
WHAT
ARE THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION TO OAKRIDGE?
There are no eligibility criteria so to speak but we
do insist on appropriate certification to prove that
a candidate has completed the level of schooling required
prior to the class to which admission is sought. We
grant admission to anyone who gets through the admission
procedure of a written test and interview and can pay
the school fees regularly, irrespective of nationality,
sex, religion, caste or creed.
WHICH
ARE THE CLASSES FOR WHICH ADMISSION CAN BE SOUGHT?
Admissions are open in classes Nursery to XI for
the 2005-2006 session, subject to availability.
WHAT
IS THE NORMAL ADMISSION PROCEDURE?
First, the Application Form must be purchased from school
and properly filled in. The duly completed form, along
with all the required documents and the registration
fee, is to be submitted at the Admissions Department
for registration – which is done on the spot and
a registration number given immediately. Registration
does not guarantee admission to the school; it only
ensures that a candidate may appear for the admission
test. Immediately after the registration takes place,
the candidate is given a choice of dates to appear for
the first leg of the admission test and issued relevant
papers for the same.
Admission
to the pre-primary classes is based first on classroom
observation of the candidates and subsequent interview
with the parents. Candidates seeking admission in classes
I and above have to take a written test in English and
mathematics first. Parents of candidates who qualify
in this written test are called in for an interview
(along with the candidate) with the Principal or the
Vice Principal or the Headmistress. The focus of this
interview is on ensuring that the students admitted
are not too deeply influenced by the existing systems
to accept our methods and that they come from backgrounds
where people are on the same wavelength as our educational
philosophy. The final granting of admission to Oakridge
depends on the outcome of this interview.
WHAT
ARE THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR REGISTRATION?
1. 1 copy of photograph of the child. 2. One photograph
each of the parents. 3. Date of birth certificate of
the child (Xerox copy duly attested) or passport copy.
4. Bonafide certificate from the school where the child
is studying at the time of applying mentioning the class
and date of birth. 5. A copy of the present school report
of the child.
HOW
DO I REPORT FOR ADMISSION?
If your ward is found suitable for admission, you will
be intimated about the same by the school within five
days at the most from the date of the interview and
you will be required to complete all the formalities
– like paying of requisite fees, etc. –
within 10 days of your receiving the intimation.
WHOM
SHOULD I CONTACT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION?
You can contact any of our counselors. For your ready
references three names are given here: Ms Padmaja, Ms
Shine, Ms Shine or Ms Sunitha.
FACILITIES
DOES
OAKRIDGE HAVE RESIDENTIAL FACILITY?
No. Oakridge is a long day school without any residential
facility.
WHAT
KIND OF LIBRARY FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE AT OAKRIDGE?
Oakridge has a library with over 2000 books, magazines,
periodicals, CD-ROMs, VCDs, DVDs, LCDs, computer work
stations, printer and photocopier that facilitate acquisition
of knowledge in the most exciting manner.
WHAT
KIND OF LABORATORIES DOES OAKRIDGE HAVE?
The state-of-the-art Infotech Centre for computers,
laboratories for teaching physics, chemistry and life
sciences, the Junior Science Laboratory containing requisite
equipment and literature to make our children properly
environment-conscious and language laboratories aid
the children in their independent construction of knowledge
in every subject.
WHAT
ARE THE CATERING FACILITIES AT OAKRIDGE?
Lunch is served at Oakridge in two spacious and very
hygienically maintained dining halls. At present one
of the leading hospitality services in India caters
for the food. Oakridge ensures that children have a
well balanced diet as stipulated by well-qualified nutritionists.
We offer vegetarian food with the option of having eggs
once a week. We provide a varied menu incorporating
Indian, Continental and Chinese cuisines. Students are
also provided with a glass of milk once in the school
day.
ARE
HEALTH CARE AND UTILITY SERVICES AVAILABLE ON CAMPUS?
Oakridge is the first school in Hyderabad to have a
full-time doctor, a trained nurse with a well-facilitated
Infirmary and an ambulance for emergencies.
WHAT
KIND OF SPORTS FACILITIES DOES OAKRIDGE PROVIDE?
We have designed a meaningful programme for physical
education as well as individual sports and games in
order to facilitate a real all-round development of
our students’ personalities. Our children regularly
take part in yoga and meditation, physical training
exercises, cricket, football, throw ball, kho kho, tennis,
volleyball, basketball, athletics, swimming, badminton,
table tennis, carom, chess, etc. In our own campus we
have developed very good facilities for pursuing and
excelling in a huge variety of outdoor as well as indoor
games and sports. We have our own swimming pool, games
field and 200m. athletics track, volleyball courts,
basketball courts, tennis courts and cricket nets, where
boys and girls develop their sports skills under well-qualified
coaches. In addition we have a Children’s Recreation
Park and a toy library that our tiny tots use for games
and fun activities.
WHAT
KIND OF FACILITIES DOES OAKRIDGE PROVIDE FOR OTHER CO-CURRICULAR
AND EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES?
At Oakridge, we integrate a wide range of creative activities
within our overall educational programme. We consider
artistic and cultural activities to be very important
with regard to the harmonious development of the total
personality. Every child at Oakridge has to do vocal
music, dance, art and craft as part of the regular timetable.
Other activities like dramatics, creative writing, debating,
elocution, quizzing and much more also form an essential
part of education at Oakridge. While within the regular
curriculum our children get a general exposure to such
pursuits, we offer them specialized training in many
of these areas in our hobby classes. We have Specialized
Activity Rooms for Music, Dance, Yoga, Art and Craft
that are equipped to provide our students with proper
exposure to a variety of performing, visual, literary
and folk arts to motivate their creativity, to help
them pick up cultured pursuits and to aid them in their
spiritual development.
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