• Mrs. Cynthia Bertolini, Associate Head of School

Dear Friends,

It is my pleasure to introduce you to Oakcrest’s academic program. At Oakcrest, our educational philosophy is truly person centered, forming students in mind, body, and spirit. Our liberal arts curriculum is at the core, in all of its breadth and in all of its depth.

The intellectual formation of Oakcrest students spans from English, language arts and history, to Spanish and Latin, to mathematics and science, to theology, and across a wide range of electives in the arts and beyond. The depth of the Oakcrest curriculum is reflected in its seven-year continuum as evidenced by our robust graduation requirements, the high caliber of all courses offered, and an approach to teaching which aims to cultivate inquiry and wonder. 

Oakcrest teachers encourage students in their search for excellence in all areas of their ordinary lives, a significant portion of which is spent learning and studying. The quest for knowledge is an odyssey, and the Oakcrest curriculum provides beauty, rigor and direction to launch the journey well. Critical to the acquisition of self-knowledge is the ability to articulate oneself persuasively and beautifully. The writing Oakcrest students do across the curriculum, from essays and research assignments to lab reports and reflections, builds a solid foundation upon which the rest of their learning rests firmly. 

I encourage you to delve into the academic resources available on our website. Enjoy discovering the riches of our academic program!

Cynthia Bertolini
Associate Head of School

Middle School

The Middle School curriculum is guided by two principles: that love of reality in its manifold expressions is the foundation of authentic knowledge, and that holistic growth is only possible through many small steps taken over time. For these reasons, the Middle School curriculum seeks to cultivate wonder and delight in the world through awakening the mind and senses to reality, and lays a firm foundation for the challenge of Upper School studies. 

Upper School

The goal of the Upper School curriculum is to lead the Oakcrest student towards an in-depth understanding of life, of herself, and of her responsibilities to others and to the common good. The curriculum teaches a love and respect for truth, and invites the student to ponder what it means to be human and how to advance on her path towards self- knowledge and wisdom. 
Upper School Director Christine Nussio on what makes Oakcrest's Upper School curriculum special 
1619 Crowell Road, Vienna, VA 22182
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