It
’s official: Morgan Hill high school students, and those from
surrounding areas, will now have another choice in schools, as
Oakwood Country School unveiled its plans Thursday for a local
private high school.
It’s official: Morgan Hill high school students, and those from surrounding areas, will now have another choice in schools, as Oakwood Country School unveiled its plans Thursday for a local private high school.
Approximately 250 attended the official announcement. School owner Ted Helvey said he believes the community is ready for a private high school.
“The level of interest seemed high, so we were quite pleased,” he said.
Oakwood Country School, located John Wilson Way in south Morgan Hill, currently serves students in preschool through eighth grade.
“Construction of the new school will begin before the end of this school year and be completed during the 2005-06 school year during our first year of the high school,” Helvey said Friday. “The students will use current facilities until the new facilities are completed during their first year. They will be supplemented by portables, as needed.”
The high school will eventually hold 200-300 students when full, Helvey said, with approximately 30-50 students per grade level for the first few years.
Tuition for the high school was not announced Thursday evening, but will be announced at a November Open House.
“It will be similar to our current tuition with some additional high school-related fees,” Helvey said.
Current tuition is $2,950 – $5,950 for preschool students depending on which program they attend, which is lower than last year and will not likely change next year, Helvey said. For students in first through eighth grades, tuition this year is $9,825.
The high school students will not wear uniforms, though current students do.
Helvey said Oakwood, the former Morgan Hill Country School that he and his wife, Michelle, purchased, believes small class size, a rigorous academic core with a wide variety of enrichment opportunities provide the best environment for students.
The school currently maintains a 10:1 student to teacher ratio, and the high school ratio is expected to be similar.
