Oakstone Academy

As a former ASD student at this school, my assertion is that the attention is drawn mostly to the "typical peers." The ASD students are looked down on, not taken seriously, and spoken to as if they are two year olds. This also sends the message to the "peers" that as long as you are society's definition of "normal" you can expect to have everything handed to you and it's alright to treat people with disabilities with disrespect. The teachers tried earnestly to talk me out of enlisting in the Armed Forces-which in the long run, has simply made me more determined. The "vocational" building was a mess. There was nothing "vocational" about this place-it was a place opened up to dumb us down, make us feel degraded and humiliated and show that "disabled" people have NO place in society. The building was cramped, filthy and smelled. The "grad" students were put in with the nonverbal, low-functioning and remediation students and expected to do rudimentary first-grade level work. Several of the teachers were snappish and rude. They were not encouraging of us in any way going into challenging careers, i.e. first responders, the military, etc. Do NOT enroll in the vocational building.

As stated by previous posts from parents, DO NOT waste your child's time at this school. Trust your instincts...if things seem too good to be true, they probably are. As a former teacher at this institution I can assure you that this place is toxic and that the best interest of the child is no longer at heart. Teachers are often asked to implement negative and punitive behavior plans and children are treated harshly. As a parent, I would not allow my own children to attend this school based on what I have seen and how some children are treated. The individualized needs of children are not being met at this school. The classrooms are stacked with behaviors that not only impede are their learning, but also the learning of their peers. Great teachers who are willing to go above and beyond, however, with an administration that controls every dynamic of the classroom it is often challenging. Administrators at Oakstone are cold, harsh, and treat their staff like there are disposable at any moment.
—Submitted by a teacher

While my ASD child attended Oakstone the following problems were observed: lack of security, the receptionist is never at her desk,ANYONE could come in and take a child and they would never know. Parents are not allowed to peek in to the classroom unannounced. Incorrect use of PECS system ,only targeting bad behaviors, not enough teaching of good behaviors. I received no communication about my child'sprogress or struggles, but everyday you will receive at least 3 emails on donating money.Current expenditures per pupil for public elementary and secondary education was $10,297.At OA the current expenditures per pupil for private elementary and secondary education is $28,000. I met a few teachers that left OA and they told me the same thing "Funding is NOT distributed correctly, the principal and directors control the flow of money in the school, cutting supplies and necessary items that teachers asked for.The teachers that left OA have all said that they were asked to do things that went against their better moral judgement. My child has made more progress in 1 mth. at Dublin than she did a whole year at OA. Do not waste your child's time on this school. ASD kids deserve much more.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has attended this school for 4 years and has had highly professional and loving teachers. He is consistently scoring in the top 5% of the nation in standarddized testing. His teachers know and understand his personality giving him the right balance of nurturing and challenge. Readers will notice that many of the reviews on here are either excellent or awful. In my opinion, you need to see the program and talk to parents and staff to make your own judgement. No school is perfect, but Oakstone is aplace that makes me feel good about my child's academic, social, and moral development. I feel good leaving him there and know he will continue to flourish.
—Submitted by a parent

Oakstone is a wonderful school for typical kids and kids with disabilities. Everyone is welcomed and we are all family at Oakstone. And this school does get you ready for reality. I love it here. All the teachers are willing to help and they love each and every one of their students. Best school I've ever been to. I recommend this school to everyone its safe, family oriented, and amazing. I LOVE YOU OAKSTONE!!!

Ever wonder why the focus room doesn't have a camera or one way window? Wouldn't an honest teacher be ok with being watched? If nothing was going on and everything was on the up and up why not? But if you ever question the conduct of a teacher look out! The elementary principal (the founder's sister by the way - no other way she could be a principal) will literally yell at you. I was told to stay by the phone because if my child needed to go to the focus room I would have to come get him. This was after asking about my child getting hurt while in the focus room. After that I was treated coldly by staff. My child was hurt numerous times while at that school. Don't get me wrong I do have a difficult child, but Oakstone supposedly works with difficult children. Just think about my review and others before you send your child there!
—Submitted by a parent

horrible school teachers have no clue what they are doing and how to cope with a child on the spectrum, a few yrs back when i went there i was severly depressed due to the way that the teachers treated other who were severly autstic.

I'm writing this as a heads-up to prospective parents. Note before beginning: My comments reflect upon the middle/high school building, where I worked for one year. As a parent, you should know that while I was a teacher at Oakstone, I observed multiple inappropriate things that took place. Administrators told me not to share certain information/events with parents, even when these events related directly to their child. Parents were not allowed to come in and observe unless it was a planned observation - no unannounced visits. The administration runs the staff as if it's a popularity contest, and I only use this comparison because I don't know how else to explain it. If you're "in" then you fall in line and do what you're told. You're "out' the moment you try to express an alternate opinion, even if you believe that opinion to be in the best interest of a student. I believe schools should have an open-door policy to parents, and that parents have a right to know truthful details about how staff handle their child if he/she misbehaves. Ask a lot of questions if you visit this school, and trust your instincts.
—Submitted by a teacher

Both my daughter on the Autism spectrum and my typically developing son attend Oakstone. I must admit, I'm a little confused about some of the points made in these reviews. First of all. We have never been asked to sign away the right to place our daughter in therapy outside of school. She is engaged in therapies both in and out of school. As one reviewer mentioned, the need for extended attention and services for children with ASD is great. My daughter has made fantastic progress in the year and half or so that she has attended Oakstone and our son has flourished as well. I've certainly seen his sympathy for those afflicted with ASD increase. He is far more understanding and compassionate toward his sister. I also find the staff to be particularly good at what they do. The teachers are compassionate and understanding as well and the staff has never been anything but professional. Their financial department has also been surprisingly flexible -- which is very important. Compared to similar programs available in the local school districts, Oakstone stands a head above. My children will both be attending Oakstone again next year.
—Submitted by a parent

This school may accept people of color in the class room, money is green, but they are discouraged to hire people of color. The so call employment department will scheduled an appointment with people of color and once arrive and see that you are non white you will meet with a Representative of the dept and told that there was an emergency meeting and he will not be able to meet with you. Never to receive a reschedule or phone call from human resources. Never to hearing anything. There has been six people who attempted to gain a face to face interview and three white and three non white the white people received an interview and the three non white were met with there was an emergency meeting. I was told things about this school but I had to see for myself.

We moved to Columbus so our three children could attend Oakstone Academy. I am so happy and find the school to be a blessing. Our boys (both Autism) and our daughter(peer) have thrived. They love school and all the staff. It is a true joy knowing that they want to see my children succeed as much as we do. Words cannot say enough about this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I have children that are peers the attend both the elementary and middle school bulidings. also this is our first and last year that I will allow my children to attend. I was very disappointed in the professionalism of the administration. It may be good for children with austism but not for peers. This is our families first and last year attending this school.
—Submitted by a parent

These reviews are a little skewed! My children went there for years after my home school district refused to put my AS child in the same school with her peers. I was always relieved to have my kids in the same building and I did feel that the teachers liked my AS daughter and enjoyed her company which is way more than the average school will give AS kids. I would also totally disregard the 'agreement' that parents are required to sign to NOT use outside therapies. AS kids need way more intervention than they can get in a 6 hour school day. Oakstone needs to stick with what it provides: a school for AS kids and their sibs. Funny though that so many parents opt to keep their typical kids out of Oakstone...parents on their own board (it's just weird IMHO).
—Submitted by a parent

I have had my typically developing son at Oakstone since he was in preschool. Over the years that he has been a student at Oakstone, he has grown into an extremely compassionate, well adjusted and well educated child who obviously has learned a great deal from his teachers as well as his classmates. I also work at Oakstone and I am blessed everyday to be a part of such and extraordinary school full of a well knowledged staff and the wonderful bright students that we service. It is a community that I have learned so much from and that have given so much in return to the many families that they service.

Sadly, we had high hopes for our grandchildren, but over time we found the administration to be unaware or unwilling to meet the most basic IEP requirements for them. This came with a cost to them and we are very sorry about that. m
—Submitted by a teacher

This is a poor excuse for education. Things seem to be done hit or miss. Unfortunately it was a miss for our children. They were left behind on so many different levels.
—Submitted by a parent

I feel truly blessed that my child is able to be a student at Oakstone. The teachers genuinely care about the students, its not just a job for them. when I see teachers my son has had in the past, they do not hesitate to ask about his well being and really want to know about his progress. Oakstone Academy is a God send for sure. I have watched my child grow both academically and socially as a result of being an Oakstone student.
—Submitted by a parent

I am extremely pleased with this school. They have gone above and beyond for my daughter.
—Submitted by a parent

Oakstone is a special place, and how I wish more cities and towns across the nation and world adopted its unique model. Our two sons (1 ASD, 1 typical) have thrived there under the close supervision and direction of its well trained staff. Bravo to the leadership of the academy for setting high standards. My husband and I feel there is no better choice than Oakstone for both of our children.
—Submitted by a parent

I have three children at Oakstone, two typically developing students and one diagnosed with ASD. Having been at the school for 3 years now, we continue to be thrilled with the work done with each child. Oakstone has made it possible for us to believe in miracles again.
—Submitted by a parent