Admissions Q&A
Q: How many students are at OES?
OES has approximately 845 students, Pre-Kindergarten through 12th Grade. The average grade level size in Lower School is 54, Middle School is 68, and Upper School is 78. The average classroom in Lower and Middle School has 18 students. The average class in the Upper School has 14-18 students.
Q: How many openings do you expect?
Each year OES enrolls approximately 100 new students. Every year we have 18 openings for Pre-Kindergarten, 30 openings for Kindergarten, 13 openings in sixth grade, and about 25 for ninth grade. Openings in other grades are dependent upon re-enrollment of current students.
Q: How old does a child need to be to apply to OES?
Children need to be 4 years old by September 1 to be eligible to begin Pre-Kindergarten. They must be 5 years old by September 1 to be eligible to begin Kindergarten.
Q: Does OES have a boarding program?
Yes, approximately 60 students live on campus.
Q: Does OES have programs for international students? Do you issue I-20's?
Yes. We have a boarding program in the Upper School for grades 9-12. About half of our boarding students are international students who take part in our English as a Second Language classes. OES is able to issue I-20's to students who qualify. Please contact the Director of Residential Admissions for additional information.
Q: Do you have after-school programs for students?
We have an extended care program for Pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade that runs until 6:00 p.m. These programs can be used every day or on an as-needed basis. In addition, OES offers an array of after school Enrichment Classes including private music lessons, chess, art and sports.
Q: Does OES have team sports?
Yes. Team sports at OES operate on a no-cut policy. Beginning in sixth grade, there is a team for every level of experience and skill—competitive varsity teams for experienced players, as well as teams for beginners trying a sport for the first time. See the table below for sports offered at OES.
Lower School students can participate in sports-related after school Enrichment Classes.
Sports Offered in Grades 6-12
Sport |
Gender |
Grades |
Season |
Soccer |
boys/girls |
6-12 |
fall |
Cross Country |
boys/girls |
6-12 |
fall |
Volleyball |
girls |
6-12 |
fall |
Basketball |
boys/girls |
6-12 |
winter |
Skiing/Snowboarding |
boys/girls |
9-12 |
winter |
Tennis |
boys/girls |
6-12 |
spring |
Track |
boys/girls |
6-12 |
spring |
Golf |
boys/girls |
9-12 |
spring |
Lacrosse |
boys/girls |
6-12 |
spring |
Fencing |
boys/girls |
1-12 |
all year |
Q: Do you have a bus system?
We have a bus system that picks up and drops off students at centralized neighborhood locations. The fee for this service is based upon the location and the number of students at the drop off point. Please contact the transportation office for more information.
Q: Does OES serve lunch?
OES serves lunch to all students each school day, including our half-day Pre-Kindergarten students. The cost of lunch is included in the tuition. Lunch usually includes salad, soup, sandwich, international, vegetarian and regular hot lunch options.
Q: Do you have programs for students with learning disabilities or special needs?
OES does not have separate programs for special needs students, but the individualized attention and small class size can be beneficial to many students who have minor learning differences.
Q: Does OES offer any programs for students with behavioral problems?
No. OES is a college preparatory school with a rigorous academic program. We do not have programs for students with discipline, behavioral, or drug and alcohol related problems.
