Oakwood School Hosts Columbia University’s Klingenstein Center

On Tuesday, March 24, Oakwood School opened its doors to 25 distinguished independent school educators from across the country as part of a strategic initiative by Columbia University’s Klingenstein Center to expand its reach to the West Coast. As one of the nation's leaders in independent school leadership, the Klingenstein Center selected Oakwood School and The Nueva School to serve as host sites for a new two-day pilot program: Klingenstein Teacher Practice Network: Opening Doors for Instructional Rounds.

The program focused on "Instructional Rounds," a powerful professional development method originally developed at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Modeled after medical rounds, this process allows educators to observe active classrooms to identify patterns and develop shared strategies that elevate student learning. This method is at the cutting edge of research aimed at improving teaching and learning in schools nationwide.

Throughout the day, visiting educators immersed themselves in the Oakwood experience, moving through classrooms in small groups to observe the faculty’s passionate expertise and the students’ confident self-expression. The atmosphere was one of deep intellectual curiosity and mutual respect, as participants witnessed firsthand the vibrant, inquiry-based learning that defines an Oakwood education.

“It was an honor to showcase Oakwood’s faculty and students to such a dedicated group of peers,” said Associate Head of School Dr. Cameron Helvey, a graduate of Columbia University’s Teachers College. “To be selected by the Klingenstein Center as a host for this experiential learning opportunity—the first of its kind on the West Coast—is a testament to the school's educators and the vibrant intellectual environment we've built here. This partnership highlights Oakwood’s leadership and ensures the school remains at the forefront of national conversations regarding best practices in education.”

By serving as a pilot site for this expansion, Oakwood School has solidified its role in a network that will have a lasting impact on independent school excellence on the West Coast and across the country.

Columbia University’s Klingenstein Center Visit