Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child always seemed like a magical place to me. When I was younger, I had two cousins and an older sister who attended the school and I anticipated the days when one of them would forget a book and I would accompany my mom to drop it off. The campus was beautiful and I loved the look of the uniform.
When sixth grade arrived, I knew that I wanted to apply to Oak Knoll for the seventh grade. An all-girls’ school appealed to me because of the accepting environment and how you can wake up and throw on a uniform and call it a day.
When I visited the school to shadow a seventh grader, I found that the classes were serious and educational, but there were also breaks and time to have fun. Lunchtime was when I knew for sure Oak Knoll was the place for me. Everyone was so inclusive and asked me how I liked the school and if I was enjoying my visit. The sense of community I felt at Oak Knoll assured me I would fit right in. I felt comfortable visiting for one day and did not feel out of place or like an outsider at all. Everyone I met in the school worked to make me feel included — even teachers in the classes I visited.
The first day of seventh grade confirmed I made the right choice. The lively antics that make up the first day at Oak Knoll were thrilling and tons of fun. Senior peer leaders made sure the incoming grades knew where to go and gave tours around the school. I was nervous at first, but I soon realized how approachable and nice the upperclassmen were. They led us around to the gym to play ice breakers and accompanied us to our first lunch as seventh graders. I never wanted the school day to end. When I got home, I told my family all about my first day and how much fun I had. I had just begun to form new friendships and was confident I would love my next six years at Oak Knoll.
Interested in learning more about making friends in a new school? Don’t miss my other blog, 6 Ways to Make Friends in Middle School.
