Community & Leadership
Community Outreach
Relationships run deep in our 150-student school community, where the majority of our faculty and staff live on campus with their families, too. As a small boarding school, Oak Hill offers students one-of-a-kind opportunities for self-discovery and deep personal development that comes from engaging in such a tight-knit community.
Our students share stories about the moment they realized everyone—including themselves—can have a positive impact on the people and the environment around them. Learning that you can make a difference can be as small as watching the effect a smile can have on a classmate’s day, or as big as being there for someone in need.
Serving others is a central component of adolescent development, and here at Oak Hill we provide many opportunities for students to “give back.” Volunteer programs include:
- Campus service projects
- Students may assist an administrator in upgrading a particular component of our campus
- Local missions opportunities
- Students assist the less fortunate in our local Mouth of Wilson/Grayson community
- Regularly offered through Young’s Chapel Baptist Church and the Oak Hill Academy Youth Group to assist the less fortunate of the Mouth of Wilson/Grayson County community–like the “Backpack Ministry,” and “Feeding America.”
- Supporting philanthropic causes such as Breast Cancer Awareness
- Hosting Blood Mobiles
We encourage our students to “think globally, but act locally.” Our recent record support of the local Angel Tree Project and our Youth Group’s involvement with sponsoring two children through World Vision demonstrate this ideal.
Student Leadership
Oak Hill Academy has a comprehensive student leadership program consistent with our school’s philosophy and objectives. The program promotes responsibility to fellow students, fosters an appreciation for the democratic process, develops responsible, creative, and learned citizens, and encourages students to function in leadership roles.
The program helps maximize student potential by encouraging students to discover their abilities to lead. When students decide they’d like to step up as campus and community leaders, there are many leadership opportunities available.
Dorm Leadership
Dorm Leaders are veteran students who assist with daily life within their dormitories. Their primary responsibility is to serve as a positive role model and mentor for fellow students. They participate in a variety of tasks, including leading dorm meetings, and they work closely with their Resident Managers to create a welcoming, supportive atmosphere and a positive dormitory community.
A-Team Leadership
Members of the A-Team Leadership group discuss and develop initiatives to foster a positive community climate at Oak Hill Academy. Working closely with the school administrators, these students choose an area of focus (e.g. respect, mental health, engagement, school spirit) and develop projects and methods to better their campus community.
Honor Court Membership
Members of the student Honor Court are hand-selected on the basis of their character and citizenship. The Honor Court addresses issues of potential honor code violations of lying, cheating, and stealing. Student Honor Court members review each incident and work with academy administrators to uphold the honor of the community and to provide steps towards reconciliation if needed.
Peer Mentoring/Tutoring
Peer Mentors are experienced students who receive training in how to support their peers in need of academic or personal support, who might feel more comfortable reaching out to a fellow student. These mentors work closely with our Director of Counseling, and they receive guidance from our Associate Head of School in assisting their classmates academically.
Emerging Leadership
Emerging Leaders are students with an interest in developing their leadership potential in the context of life at Oak Hill. Participants in this seminar often go on to serve in a variety of leadership roles.
Student Ambassadors
Student Ambassadors are passionate about life at Oak Hill and embrace the opportunity to share their experience with others. Students interested in becoming Student Ambassadors complete an application process, and accepted students receive training to welcome visitors to campus and share their Oak Hill story.
