When students transition to Oxford, they are most relieved by our community’s understanding of their unique learning needs. Our boys often have not thrived in traditional schools due to the impact of ADHD, executive function challenges, a twice exceptional, (2E), diagnosis and related learning differences. Well intentioned schools often provide a learning center with an a la carte menu that provides support ‘on the side’ of traditional classes. The classroom teachers often do not have a deep understanding of the true nature of these difficulties or how to weave support into their classes.
At Oxford, we integrate understanding and support into everything we do in the classroom and in student life. We know that these challenges impact our students across settings and throughout their day. The structure of the program combined with a dedicated faculty create an environment that is safe for our boys to be themselves. We meet them where they are and encourage them to take healthy risks, make mistakes, learn to recover from those mistakes and grow with our support. For example, a student who struggles with organization due to ADHD benefits from the structure of the class and direct support for organizing materials. The organizational challenge likely impacts their ability to keep track of their belongings in the dorm, our dorm parents provide intervention, helping students create routines and systems to compensate. As with any executive functioning skill, this takes time and repeated coaching and practice to become part of that student’s repertoire of abilities. A gifted student who struggles with written expression requires both stimulating content and direct instruction in writing that is thoughtfully scaffolded. That same student may also require social support to find their place in the community and to make friends. Our teachers and residential staff are versed in this familiar challenge and they work together to provide the student with direct support in the form of strategies and coaching specific to their diagnosis. The inclusion of the student is the key ingredient to The Oxford Method, a rigorous approach that guides our programming and can be summarized in the following omnipresent principles:
- Understand each student as a learner and a person
- Build a classroom partnership
- Develop an individualized education and authentic curriculum aligned with the Graduate Profile
- Assess and refine coursework continuously
Students often comment on how much they appreciate feeling understood and respected. Over time they learn to thrive despite the challenges presented by their ADHD, executive function difficulties, learning disabilities and accompanying social and emotional challenges. They tell us that Oxford is the first place they felt they could be themselves and find success. The outcomes from The Oxford Experience are excellent as witnessed by our strong college placement and notable alumni . We know how to help each of our students reach their potential!!
