Oakdale Academy Receives Henry Salvatori Prize for Excellence in Teaching

Oakdale Academy is the only Michigan school to win prestigious award

Oakdale Academy has been awarded the prestigious Henry Salvatori Prize for Excellence in Teaching. Given by Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, MI, the award recognizes exceptional classroom teaching nationwide. Oakdale Academy will receive $25,000 to use to purchase books, equipment and instructional materials.

Oakdale Academy is the 22nd recipient of the Salvatori Award and the only school in Michigan to receive the award. Since 1996, 21 classical private and public charter schools across the nation have won this award.

“The hard work and determination of the staff, teachers, students, and families of Oakdale Academy have enabled us to be recognized with this national distinction that values the importance of teaching a classical education in our country,” said Rachel Greb, Dean of Academic Affairs at Oakdale Academy.  “The educational materials we will provide our students will enable us to further our mission to create an environment that fosters academic excellence, leadership development and training for high moral character based on Biblical principles.”

Oakdale Academy has experienced consistent 20 percent year-over-year growth and students had an average ACT score of 29.5 (2014) compared to the state of Michigan average of 20 and a score average of +2.7 grades above actual grade level on the Iowa test (2014). The Oakdale Academy staff has nearly 270 combined years teaching students, with an average of 15 years teaching.

About Oakdale Academy

Oakdale Academy is an independent, private K-12 classical and Christian school founded on three pillars: character, truth and wisdom. Oakdale Academy offers junior kindergarten through grade 12 taught in a classical style and based on the proven Hillsdale Academy model. Located in Oakland County Michigan in the city of Waterford, Oakdale Academy is an affiliate member of the Association of Classical and Christian Schools. For more information about Oakdale Academy, please visit www.OakdaleAcademy.com or call 248-481-9039.

About The Henry Salvatori Prize for Excellence in Teaching

As an immigrant to the United States, Henry Salvatori viewed America as the land of opportunity, and his life of hard work and principled convictions embodied the American spirit. As founder of the Western Geophysical Company, he developed important new oil exploration technology. Throughout his life, he invested the rewards of his enterprise in projects that teach young people about America’s founding principles and institutions. Salvatori deeply desired to help young Americans gain an understanding of individual rights, limited government, and the moral foundations of American constitutionalism. His extraordinary generosity toward Hillsdale College established the Henry Salvatori Chair in History and the Henry Salvatori Prize for Excellence in Teaching.