To What End? Finding Balance in the Heart of Silicon Valley 

October 7, 2026

by Mrs. Lindsay Velez, Director of Enrollment Management
  • M.A. in Leadership, Saint Mary’s College of California
  • B.A. in Communication, Saint Mary’s College of California
  • Certificate for Admission and Enrollment Professionals (CAEP)
  

In my nearly ten years in admissions, one conversation with parents stands out. It comes up often, with families of children of every age. Parents want to know how we help students find balance while still pursuing the things they love. They wonder how we will challenge their child academically without so much homework that there is no time to play outside after school or enjoy their activities. In other words, how will we give their child room to still enjoy childhood?

The conversation usually turns to the culture we live in. Here in fast-paced Silicon Valley, we are surrounded by pressure to do more, push harder, and get ahead sooner. That is when I ask parents the question I know they are already asking themselves: To what end?

The answer, I believe, is not a longer list of accomplishments. It is a young person who is curious, confident, and resilient, who knows how to care for their well-being, who is ready for the demands of their top-choice college and beyond, and who still loves to learn.

At Oakwood, we believe a joyful, balanced childhood is not a trade-off for excellence. It is what makes excellence possible.

Now in my first year at Oakwood, I continue to be impressed by the school's intentional approach to education. Students are held to high academic standards, and because our classes are small, teachers know each student deeply. That lets them challenge every child in the way that best meets their needs. Teachers also bring their subjects to life in new and exciting ways each day through hands-on learning on and off campus. You can watch their passion for learning pass from teacher to student in real time.

Outside the classroom, students in every division can explore co-curricular programs that deepen and expand their interests. Unique to Oakwood, many of these programs, including Speech & Debate, Theater, Music, and Engineering, are offered as classes during the school day. Students still commit time outside of class for rehearsals, tournaments, and competitions, but because so much of the work happens during the school day, those commitments are more manageable for Middle and High School students. In addition to our one-of-a-kind enrichment program, where each subject is taught by a passionate expert in that field, Lower School students can join on-campus after-school programs in sports, performing arts, LEGO building, and more.

The opportunities can feel endless, and that is exactly why we teach students how to choose. Through Happy Minds in Lower School and Advisory in Middle and High School, students learn age-appropriate ways to treat themselves with kindness, care for their well-being, manage their time, and advocate for themselves. These are the durable skills, like resilience and self-awareness, that will serve them long after graduation.

Of course, students do not always get the balance right, and that is part of the learning. When they need to recalibrate, they have a built-in support system: Advisors, homeroom teachers, our Student Support and Wellness Counselor, and trusted adults across campus who know and care about each student. Together, they help students find a schedule and workload that feel manageable and enjoyable.

At Oakwood, our goal is to help students build a strong academic foundation so they are ready for the challenges that await them at the next level, without losing the joy of childhood. In a culture that constantly pushes us to do more and work harder, Oakwood offers another way forward. As Head of School Dr. Cameron Helvey wrote in his recent Rooted post, it is a path built on age-appropriate, meaningful challenges inside and outside the classroom, supported by systems and schedules that help students pursue their interests without burning out. It's Silicon Valley excellence without the Silicon Valley burnout, and it's how every student here is challenged, cherished, and known.

If you are asking yourself these same questions, I would love to continue the conversation. Join us at an upcoming Open House or campus event, and see for yourself what balance looks like at Oakwood.