Oxford Basics

History

Oxford is one of the oldest schools in Berkeley, first opening its doors in 1910. Originally it was a K-6 school, then a K-3 school, and is now a K-5 school. In August 2020, Oxford was located to a new location, 1222 University Avenue, after a geological survey regarding local landslide areas.  1222 University Avenue used to be the location of “West Campus” of Berkeley High School, and was then REALM charter school.  It’s now the location of Oxford at West Campus!  It was completely renovated to make it ready for an elementary school.  The campus encompasses two buildings, one that houses the main office, support staff offices, kindergarten classrooms and grades 3rd – 5th.  Building E houses 1st and 2nd grade and a Special Education classroom.  There is a remodeled cafeteria/gymnasium, a new library, renovated classrooms, and a brand new playground, including a kindergarten play area.

Student Body

We provide a well-rounded education to approximately 275 students. Our school is diverse in many ways. Children come all the way from homes neighboring Tilden Park in the Berkeley hills to neighborhoods close to the San Francisco Bay, as well as from homes near the school itself.

Oxford’s Approach

Goals

• Safe learning environment
• Strong community
• Commitment to learning
• Embracing all of our students
• Preparing students for their future
• Meet each child’s needs
• Kids first

Philosophy

Oxford’s staff is committed to making sure that all of our students achieve and flourish. We believe that all children can and will learn if given the encouragement and instruction to do so. Since we are a small school, we can focus on the needs of every individual child in terms of academic, social, emotional, and physical needs. We take very seriously the task of meeting all students where they are, teaching them to think critically, and engaging their minds and hearts in an effort to make them love to learn.

The curriculum at Oxford is aligned with the State grade level standards for student achievement. The teachers use a variety of approaches in order to make the standards accessible to all children, including individual projects, whole class instruction, small group work and cross-age tutoring. Our teachers work collaboratively with our families to support our children in their learning. We encourage participation from parents, UC tutors and community volunteers.

A top priority for all Oxford staff is expressing and teaching a deep appreciation of and tolerance for diversity and differences. We encourage positive self-image and high self-esteem for all our students, we insist on respect for self and others, and promote concern for our environment here and elsewhere. These qualities that we strive to nurture in our children are apparent in the ways students care for each other on the playground, in the classroom and all around the school.

Teaching at Oxford

Oxford prides itself on the excellent teaching that goes on in all of its classrooms. The teachers have weekly staff meetings to cross-fertilize and share ideas about what is working and what needs improvement.

Many parents volunteer in their child’s classroom to provide education around specific skills such as bread-baking, paper making, music mornings, pottery, science experiments and other hands-on activities.

Parental Involvement Makes a Difference

When researchers have compared the characteristics of high performing schools with low performing schools, one of the main differences they have found is the amount of parental involvement. High performing schools have plans for involving parents and welcome parents as partners. Schools that find ways to work well with families have improved teacher morale, higher ratings of teachers by parents, more support from families and a better reputation in the community.

This has been shown to be true in communities with both adequate and inadequate resources. Research has also shown that students develop better attitudes toward their school and school work when their parents are involved in the school’s instructional program. This effect has been found to carry over to benefit all students, not just those whose parents volunteer in the classroom.