Brit Smart, Executive Director, Oak Hill Academy

In an interview with Invest:, Oak Hill Academy Executive Director Brit Smart discussed how Oak Hill Academy serves its unique student population to cultivate academic, vocational, and life skills through an individualized curriculum and highly trained, specialized staffing.

What is Oak Hill Academy’s mission and how does the school aim to shape the landscape of education?

Oak Hill Academy provides complex, neurodiverse students with a tailored whole-child learning experience to empower our students and their families to reach their full potential. Oak Hill Academy has around 140 students enrolled from preschool through high school, and our newly launched high school has graduated nearly 15 classes. We serve a unique population – all our students have a diagnosed learning difference, primarily in language-based disorders that impact both written and verbal communication. Around 50-60% of our student population is on the autism spectrum. Our school takes a “whole child” approach to learning. We are not specific to one area and try to cultivate individualized academic development across the board through social skills, speech-language therapy, and reading intervention. We try to provide as many opportunities as possible for kids to have a typical school experience and show off their talents in various areas.

What were Oak Hill Academy’s significant accomplishments over the last year?

We have been able to serve our students and families by creating a strong network and community by emphasizing the maxim that we are all in this together. We are constantly communicating with our families to offer opportunities to become involved and support one another. Our school has remained true to our numbers by keeping our teacher-to-student ratios consistently low. 

We were recently named a “School of Excellence” by the National Association of Special Education Teachers, which is a testament to our staff. Our school has made an effort to find specialized teachers who feel called to serve this specific population. We currently have 14 speech-language pathologists on staff, which enables us to provide students the language acquisition skills that they need to develop, while integrating therapy into classroom lessons.

How have student needs evolved in recent years, and how has the school reflected this in its offerings?

We serve a complex student profile. COVID was tough on our population, and shifting to a virtual platform resulted in social regression. We focus intently on providing social skills to all ages and preparing them for what their individual futures might hold, focusing more on individualized outcomes. Oak Hill is not a traditional college-prep school; while some students may go on to attend college, the majority of our kids take a gap year or immediately enter the workforce, so we aim to provide honest support to our families for what lies ahead.

We offer practical tools like the Practical Assessment Exploration System (PAES)Lab to assess and develop job skills, as well as to identify strengths and interests. Data is tracked over a year to communicate to parents the job fields that might be the best fits for their children. Our Motor Lab provides students with the opportunity to receive sensory input and cultivate core strength and balance, which enables better classroom focus and participation.

Are there any technologies you have recently integrated to better serve your students?

All of our students have a 1:1 device like touchscreen Chromebooks, and we utilize platforms like Learning Ally to cultivate skills like reading support. These can be tools for parents as well, so students can practice independence and still have access to materials at home. The i-Ready program for math and reading hides the learning within a fun, digital setting. Our approach is not “one size fits all,” and we focus on a varied curriculum tailored to individual needs, equipping teachers with a robust toolbox of methods and resources.

What steps are you taking to continue attracting high-caliber educators?

We prioritize teacher training, and we look for Masters degrees in special education, reading or speech. The training we provide includes Conscious Discipline to promote emotional resilience and teamwork among staff. Behavior specialists provide additional classroom support. We place a strong emphasis on early intervention, and our preschool and kindergarten teachers are all SLPs (speech-language pathologists), with additional therapists serving middle and high-school students.

What role does external support play in the growth and success of Oak Hill?

Major businesses and brands in our community have stepped up and supported our school, from churches to grocery stores. Other schools have collaborated with us by having their students volunteer on our campus and fostering mutual understanding between the different student populations. High school programs like “Eagles and Dragons Club” provide meaningful interactions between our students and those from partner schools.

Parent support initiatives include educational series with speakers addressing challenges like fostering independence and parenting students with special needs. We try to provide resources that they can implement at home to make life easier.

What are your top priorities for Oak Hill Academy for the next two or three years?

We are committed to serving our specific student population while staying true to our mission. One of our core priorities involves striving to reduce financial burdens on families by including therapies and activities within the school experience. The main goal of our school is to prepare students to become independent, functioning members of society, through academic, vocational or life skills training.

How would you describe Oak Hill Academy’s work environment?

I believe Oak Hill Academy is a wonderful place to work. Our staff exhibits a rare combination of heart, compassion and expertise, making a profound impact on our students and their families. We maintain an open, honest and transparent work environment and aim to be a resource for families seeking support and answers.