The Oak Park School District: Under Inspiring New Leadership
THE OAK PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT IS UNDER NEW LEADERSHIP THIS FALL, ANGEL ABDULAHAD, A 1994 ALUM OF OAK PARK HIGH SCHOOL, WAS APPOINTED NEW SUPERINTENDENT FOLLOWING THE RETIREMENT OF DR. JAMII HITCHCOCK, WHO SERVED AS THE DISTRICT’S LEADER FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS.
THE OAK PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT’S NEARLY 4,000 STUDENTS are served at Einstein Key, and Pepper Elementary Schools (grades PreK-5), the Oak Park Preparatory Academy (grades 6-8), Oak Park High School (grades 9-12), NOVA Academy (grades 3-12) and the new state-of-the-art Lessenger Early Childhood Center (Pre- K) in Oak Park, Michigan in Oakland County located in a suburban community near Detroit with approximately 30,000 residents. Our district consists of over 450 staff members, including 250 teachers and 12 building administrators.
Our school district boasts an abundance of educational and co/extra-curricular programs to meet the needs of a vast array of learners from Pre-K through twelfth grade. We encourage students to challenge themselves academically, explore comprehensive course offerings and take risks to discover their gifts.
We are dedicated to providing an intellectually challenging educational experience in safe, nurturing school environments that thrive on cultivating and empowering students to be their authentic selves. In addition, our academic and co/extra-curricular opportunities provide agency and shape self-identity, which are critical components of the adolescent development process.
The Oak Park Advantage is a holistic approach to education that not only prepares students academically, fosters a sense of belonging but also creates long-lasting connections to the Oak Park community. While attending Oak Park Schools, students develop a confidence that is woven throughout their post-secondary, professional, and social-emotional well-being years after they graduate.
“We take pride in our commitment to fostering a diverse teaching staff that is inclusive of everyone – it’s integral to our culture as we aim to empower our students to bring their best self, unique perspectives, and talents to the classroom every day.” Brandon Jiles, Director of Communications/PR.
Commitment to student growth and emphasis on athletics and the arts are just a handful of the many Oak Park advantages. The Wade McCree Incentive Scholarship Program offers four-year scholarships to attend Oakland University for Oak Park High School students who graduate with a 3.0 GPA and a score of 1060 on the SAT. Our comprehensive educational and enrichment programs allow us to distinctively meet the needs of all learners in Oak Park.
IN ADDITION TO THE MAJOR ACADEMIC AREAS, courses are offered in art, music, physical education, computer science, foreign language, bilingual education, alternative education, advanced placement, co-op, work-study, special education and college prep, advance placement courses at the Center for Advanced Studies & Arts (CASA). Special facilities include the state-of-the-art Hoffman Planetarium, a TV studio, multi-lingual studies, and computer labs.
During the struggles of the COVID-19 pandemic, Oak Park Schools continued to thrive towards excellence. Oak Park High School teacher Owen Bondono was named the 2020- 2021 Michigan Teacher of the Year (MTOY). Bondono is in his eighth year of teaching English language arts. Before teaching, he worked as a paraprofessional in the classroom for four years. Bondono’s selection as the 2020-21 MTOY began with the nomination of more than 400 teachers during the fall of 2020.
“Ultimately, teaching is an expression of my love of humanity. My way of making my mark on the world is making the next generation better. I know that growing the next generation of humanity is a community effort, so I will create that community wherever I find it.” Owen Bondono
IN ADDITION TO OUR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, a wide variety of extra-curricular activities keeps students involved after school as well, we have a Robotics team, National Honor Society, Upward Bound, Oakland University Gear Up, and also a partnership with the City of Oak Park Recreation Department offering hip hop dance classes and gaming competitions in the newly remodeled Knight Café.
According to Mlive.com, Oak Park High School’s athletic department is one of the top 50 athletic programs in the state. Our girl’s track & field program is a perennial power- house, winning MHSAA Division 1 state championships six out of the last eight years, also garnering five national titles in 2022. The Oak Park football program has 13 players currently competing on the NCAA Division 1-FBS level, which is ranked fourth-best in the State of Michigan.
