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Oakwood Schools Named National Finalist for STEM Innovation

Oakwood Schools has been named a national finalist for the STEM and Career Pathways District of Distinction Award. This prestigious recognition was announced at the 2025 Awards of Distinction Program during the District Administration Leadership Institute (DALI) National Superintendents Summit.

The award honors districts with pioneering programs that drive meaningful change and serve as models for schools nationwide. Oakwood was recognized for its comprehensive K–12 STEM ecosystem, which was built following a district-wide audit. This ecosystem is supported by dedicated labs that allow students to engage in hands-on exploration through augmented reality, coding, robotics, and 3D printing.

Crucially, this success is powered by community collaboration, with over 300 volunteers supporting these initiatives.

“This recognition belongs to our STEM Champions and our staff, whose commitment, creativity, and willingness to innovate continue to elevate learning across Oakwood Schools,” said Superintendent Dr. Neil Gupta. “Their hard work, alongside our community partners, has transformed a shared vision into a thriving K–12 STEM ecosystem that gives students meaningful, hands-on experiences and prepares them for the future.”

The District Administration Awards of Distinction program has highlighted excellence and innovation in K-12 education for over 11 years, showcasing success stories from all 50 states.

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Smith Students Launch into STEM Learning

How far can you launch a pom pom with popsicle sticks, rubber bands, straws, masking tape, and a spoon? That was the challenge Principal Cassie Schoch gave Smith Elementary students during a recent STEM activity.

Working in teams, students designed and tested creative contraptions such as catapults and slingshots while discovering that problem-solving is about collaboration, experimentation, and celebrating progress along the way.

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Music Appreciation at Smith Elementary

Smith Fifth and Sixth grades enjoyed field trips to the Schuster Center last month. 

The Fifth grade took in the Young People's Concert Pure Imagination on Oct. 25th. They learned how music, opera, and dance come together to tell a story and evoke memories, emotion, and more. They explored drama and comedy with Mozart’s Don Giovanni and took a musical trip down the flowing Moldau River with conductor Neal Gittleman. 

The Smith Sixth grade enjoyed a performance of the DCDC "Remember the Time" which highlighted the spellbinding artistry of DCDC through three enduring works. Tommie-Waheed Evans' Home/An Untitled Portrait wraps the Victoria Theatre in brilliant light, text and snapshots of "home" in all of its complicated glory. Stafford C. Berry Jr. transports viewers to a twilight time where a rain-soaked block party recalls the great migration. Sets and Chasers  by Kevin Ward celebrates Duke Ellington's groundbreaking radio broadcasts of the swinging '40s.

 

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Together We Learn

TOGETHER, we invest in professional growth, align our curriculum, and foster critical thinking. We aim to ignite a passion for learning in every student, ensuring they are equipped with the skills needed for lifelong success.

Learn More about Together We Learn