Oakland Junior High School
| Type | Junior High School |
|---|---|
| Year Opened | 1971 |
| Principal | Kimberly Presko |
| Address | 3405 Oakland Place |
| Phone Number | 573-214-3220 |
| Website | N/A |
| Student Capacity | 750 |
| Students Enrolled | 744 |
| Number of Teachers | N/A |
| Number of Trailers | N/A |
| Enrolled in Lunch Program | 314 |
| White Population | 482 |
| Black Population | 217 |
| Hispanic Population | 25 |
| Asian Population | 20 |
| American Indian Population | 6 |
| MAP Score Math | N/A |
| MAP Score Communication Arts | N/A |
By ANNE SHIFLEY
COLUMBIA — Oakland Junior High School is in a state of constant self-improvement.
“We’re a professional learning community here,” said Principal Kim Presko of Oakland Junior High School. She said creating smaller teams of teachers who are working on improving instruction based on student achievement data is central to bettering the educational realm at the school.
Some strategies aimed at improving student success include a student response system within the science department. Presko likened the process to the “ask the audience” option on the popular trivia TV show “Who Want to be a Millionaire?” The class is asked a question regarding unit material. Teachers use the correct-response rate to gauge comprehension and determine what topics need more discussion.
“(The science department teachers) really look at pre-test and post-test understanding,” Presko said. “They look at where kids are and what the end goal is. Four out of six classrooms have the student response system, which they use to guide (classroom instruction) on an on-going basis.”
Presko said teachers are always trying new things, taking risks and reviewing how different strategies affect students.
Oakland Junior High School is also the only junior high to offer honors block classes. One popular class is the ninth grade honors government and economics block, which maintains a particularly high energy every four years like clockwork.
“During the (presidential) election process, the kids will research an election candidate and take on their platform,” Presko said. Students can choose a figure from the national, state or local level, but “they must be able to answer questions about their campaign and speak on their behalf.”
A mock political convention is held in the media center, and local politicians are invited to participate. Past speakers have included Judy Baker and Kenny Hulshof, Presko said, and the kids are highly engaged.
“This level of school — junior high — is so unique in such a positive way,” Presko said. “The kids are old enough that they’re developing leadership skills and they know what they want to do and follow through. School activities rarely have to compete with after-school jobs and cars; there’s maximum involvement. Kids can really be committed if they want to be.”
Presko said she believes that if kids put more into school, they will get more out of it, and so she takes pride in the variety of class levels and activities offered at Oakland.
“It’s important to find the talents of all our kids and build off what they have,” she said.
