Student Life
Traditions
A student experience that cultivates friendship, adventure, belonging, and a culture of joy.
Formation in Friendship
The friendships formed at Oakcrest are essential and lasting parts of each student’s education.
True friendship is more than shared interests or moments of fun; it is a place where young women learn to give of themselves, grow in virtue, and discover the joy of life together. This kind of friendship is essential to a young woman’s development, so Oakcrest intentionally creates opportunities for students to laugh, celebrate, serve, and grow alongside one another.
Through authentic friendships, students:
- Grow in confidence by being known and valued.
- Broaden their perspectives through shared experiences.
- Develop virtue through generosity, service, courage, and kindness.
- Discover the joy and good humor that make life together memorable.
Life at Oakcrest emboldens girls to take on adventurous challenges in a spirit of discovery and growth. As students are given the freedom to learn from successes, mistakes, and experiences, they grow in confidence and self-knowledge.
— Liz Rolwes, Dean of Students
A Spirit of Belonging
From the first day of school to graduation, Oakcrest traditions create a community where every student is known, celebrated, and invited to participate. Whether competing with classmates, traveling together, or celebrating milestones, these shared experiences become lifelong memories.
School SPIRIT
Every student, faculty member, and staff member belongs to either the Green Team or White Team. Sporting the official colors of Oakcrest, these teams compete against each other in fun contests throughout the year for spirit points.
Fun fact: Green Team and White Team members are allied to their team—for life.
A SPIRIT of Adventure…
Class Trips
Adventure is part of Oakcrest. Each fall, classes head off campus together- rafting, canoeing, climbing, exploring, competing and occasionally getting a little muddy. These trips give girls the chance to try something new, laugh together, and beginning the year with shared memories.
A SPIRIT of Sisterhood…
Sister Families
Friendship at Oakcrest doesn’t stop at the classroom- or even at the grade level. Every student belongs to one of eight Sister Families, named for unique types of trees, bringing girls from Middle and Upper School together throughout the year.
Sister Families gather for lunches, competitions, service, celebrations and some spirited Oakcrest traditions. Younger students get to know girls they can look up to; older students discover the joy and responsibility of welcoming younger students into the life of the school.
A SPIRIT of Celebration…
Junior Ring Ceremony
Surrounded by family, classmates, and faculty, each junior receives her class ring and a rose, a lasting symbol of her belonging to the Oakcrest mission.
A formal spring dance for Juniors and Seniors.
School assemblies led by the Executive Student Council, often including guest speakers.
Seniors gather at the crack of dawn to honor special days in their last year together.
Graduation at Oakcrest
Graduation festivities begin with an elegant Senior Dinner Thursday evening, where seniors gather with their parents, faculty, and staff for an evening in their honor. On Friday, the Oakcrest community comes together in prayer and gratitude at the Baccalaureate Mass. The week culminates at Saturday’s Commencement, as graduates cross the stage to receive their diplomas, ready to take all they have learned at Oakcrest into the world.
Before graduation, seniors gather with their parents, teachers, and mentors for an evening of gratitude and celebration. Through heartfelt Senior Tributes, students reflect on the people who shaped their Oakcrest experience.
Students who have attended Oakcrest since sixth grade are recognized as Oakcrest Acorns, honoring years of growth, friendship, and formation within the school community.
Graduation is deeply personal at Oakcrest. Each graduate receives her diploma alongside remarks crafted from the reflections of the teachers and mentors who have accompanied her throughout her journey: a fitting conclusion to an education where every student is truly known.