The Oakwood School will be closed for spring break March 29 - April 7, 2024. School reopens on April 8, 2024.

WELCOME TO THE
OAKWOOD SCHOOL

WHY IS OAKWOOD SCHOOL RIGHT FOR YOUR CHILD? 

Oakwood School's philosophy is simple. We believe that every student should reach his potential in a safe, caring, and nurturing environment. We stress four major goals for every student: 
  •  Achieve academic potential;
  • Learn appropriate socialization skills;
  • Engage in transition planning for the post high school world, and
  • Have fun at school!
Along with a strong academic component, we help our students develop a positive self-image by creating an atmosphere where they can acquire emotional security, self-esteem and socialization skills. These critical skills are essential for a successful transition into the “adult” world.

OUR PHILOSOPHY
school

One-On-One Attention

The Oakwood School is small, with no
more than 40 students enrolled during the school year. That means your child receives
constant one-on-one attention and is always supported by our staff. We are proud of our approximate 2-1 student/staff ratio and small intimate setting that maximizes learning of the Common Core Curriculum Standards and obtaining personal growth.
Our Programs

Our Academic Program

Oakwood School’s goal is to provide an academic program that meets not only the goals and objectives addressed in each Individualized Educational Plan (IEP), but also to create a learning environment where students can relax and enjoy the educational process through differentiated instruction. We regularly address and monitor the academic, social and emotional well-being of each student. We strive to implement evidenced based scientifically researched educational and behavioral programs with cross curricular activities.

Our Behavioral Program

Some of our students have mild to moderate behavioral issues. Oakwood School’s goal is to help these students behave reasonably and appropriately in order to relate well with peers and adults. To achieve this goal Oakwood School has two guidance counselors.


A school-wide Positive Behavioral Supports Program is used to help students learn reasonable and appropriate behaviors in different social settings (classroom, free time, home and community). Our goal is for Oakwood School students to transition into the adult world of education and/or work and have appropriate social and behavioral skills.

Our Career Guidance Program

Preparation for post high school education or a career is an important component of our educational program. Our guidance counselors help facilitate this transition to enhance opportunities for employment.


Career awareness is an ongoing process. Life skills programs are incorporated into all of our Core Curriculum subject matters including publishing a yearbook, running a school store, and utilizing computer science technology. Additionally, we invite people in the community to talk about their “real life” experiences with our students.

Link to the Virtual Plans

In April 2020, Governor Murphy issued an executive order that provides for the continuation of instruction in the event of a public-health related school closure utilizing virtual or remote instruction.  The below link will provide you with a download of the virtual plans for the Oakwood School.  

ANTI-BULLYING

The Oakwood School prohibits acts of harassment, intimidation or bullying. A safe and civil environment in school is necessary for pupils to learn and achieve high academic standards. Harassment, intimidation or bullying, like other disruptive or violent behaviors, is conduct that disrupts both a pupil’s ability to learn and a school’s ability to educate its pupils in a safe environment. All of our staff members model respect and refuse to tolerate harassment, intimidation or bullying.
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OUR FACULTY & STAFF

The teacher is the primary factor influencing student success. If a student likes his teacher(s), he is more apt to want to succeed. What sets Oakwood School apart from other schools is the quality and experience of our faculty. Seventy-one percent of our faculty has worked at Oakwood School for 10 years or more and 53% hold Masters Level Degrees or higher. Students are taught by highly qualified, dedicated and caring teachers and staff.
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UPCOMING EVENTS 

Contact Us

Contact Us

private school
school
Our School
62 Hance Ave, 
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
FAQs
Can you tell me more about The Oakwood School? 

Dr. Arthur J. Newman and Dr. Robert E. White founded the Oakwood School in 1980. Oakwood School is a non-profit, non-sectarian New Jersey Private School for the Disabled. The school serves adolescents age 11-21 in middle school and high school. Over 25 school districts in Monmouth, Ocean, Middlesex and Union counties refer their special needs children to us. Our primary population is learning and/or language impaired children (including high-functioning Autism) with concomitant social (anxiety, phobia, etc.) or behavior issues. At Oakwood School, students fit in F*A*S*T: they have FUN, achieve ACADEMIC potential, learn SOCIALIZATION/CHARACTER skills, and prepare for the TRANSITION after high school.

Is your staff qualified? 

Oakwood School’s teaching staff is highly qualified, caring and dedicated to enriching student’s lives. Our approximate 2-1 student/staff ratio and small intimate setting maximizes learning of the Common Core Curriculum Standards and obtaining personal growth. Our safe, nurturing atmosphere encourages students to develop their academic potential, self-control, self-esteem and to function as independently as possible upon graduation. A school-wide Positive Behavioral Support program in conjunction with a Collaborative Problem Solving model enhances character development and socialization skills acquisition. Additionally, the YMCA Y-Achiever Program is offered to enhance job preparation, training and acquisition skills. Educational and character/socialization enrichment programs are evidenced based and scientifically researched to maximize the potential for success.

Can you tell me more about your classrooms? 

Oakwood School has self-contained and departmentalized classrooms. The Oakwood staff, Child Study Team (CST), and parents assess each student’s needs and an appropriate educational program is established. Related services include group and individual counseling.

How can I visit The Oakwood School?

If you are interested in visiting our school, it is suggested that your local school district facilitate an interview; we encourage you to include them in the entire interviewing and enrollment process. If you have questions about our school please feel free to contact us via e-mail or telephone. We encourage private placements as well. If you prefer to not use your local child study team to place your child, please contact Mr. Jerry Dougherty, Director, or Mr. Christopher Farrell, Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction.

Which students do you serve? 

Oakwood School serves elementary, middle and high school students with high functioning Autism, learning and/or language disabilities with concomitant social or behavior issues from Monmouth, Ocean, Union and Middlesex counties. Additionally, we accept private placements. Continued placement is reviewed annually and must be approved by the Oakwood School educational staff, the sending district’s Child Study Teams and the student’s parents or guardians.

What is your admission policy?

If you are interested in having your child attend Oakwood School, we suggest that you contact your local Child Study Team and follow these procedures:
  1. Ask your local school district to forward applicable records for review prior to an interview. An interview will be scheduled with the sending district CST, the student, and the student’s parents or guardians.
  2. During the initial interview, we will evaluate your child to determine if Oakwood School is the appropriate educational setting. New student interviews are conducted after school hours, starting at 2:15 PM. Parents and school districts are always afforded the opportunity to visit the school during school hours. Please call first and make an appointment.
  3. Once the sending district approves the placement, they arrange transportation, provide an IEP, and enter into a New Jersey State Department of Education approved contract with the school.
  4. Oakwood School does not discriminate. No student is excluded from admission due to reasons of race, color, creed, sex or national origin.
Parents/Guardians seeking private payment placement must contact Mr. Jerry Dougherty, Director, or Dr. Robert White, Assistant Director at (732) 747-8746 to arrange an interview.

What is your anti-bullying policy? 

The Oakwood School prohibits acts of harassment, intimidation or bullying, we also promote the use of Famedwriting, which is a kid’s help site for those students who have a hard time finishing assignments. A safe and civil environment in school is necessary for pupils to learn and achieve high academic standards. Harassment, intimidation or bullying, like other disruptive or violent behaviors, is conduct that disrupts both a pupil’s ability to learn and a school’s ability to educate its pupils in a safe environment. Since pupils learn by example, school administrators, faculty, staff and volunteers should be commended for demonstrating appropriate behavior, treating others with civility and respect, and refusing to tolerate harassment, intimidation or bullying. We define the terms “harassment, intimidation, or bullying” as follows: 

“Harassment, intimidation or bullying” means any gesture, written, verbal or physical act that takes place on school property, at any school-sponsored function, over the phone or internet or on a school bus, and that:

Is motivated by any actual or perceived characteristic, such as but not limited to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or a mental, physical or sensory disability; or
By any other distinguishing characteristic; and
A reasonable person should know, under the circumstances, that the act(s) will have the effect of harming a pupil or damaging the pupil’s property, or placing a pupil in reasonable fear of harm to his/her person or damage to his/her property; or
Has the effect of insulting or demeaning any pupil or group of pupils in such a way as to cause substantial disruption in, or substantial interference with, the orderly operation of the school, or by the victim’s participation in school.
Acts of harassment, intimidation, or bullying may also be a pupil exercising power and control over another pupil, in either isolated incidents (e.g., intimidation, harassment) or patterns of harassing or intimidating behavior (e.g., bullying).

To learn more about expected behavior, consequences, reporting procedures, investigation, and more at The Oakwood School, please download our Anti-Bullying Policy here. As always, we encourage parents to reach out with any questions or concerns they may have regarding their student(s), bullying, and anti-bullying. We are here to support the safety and protection of our students.    
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