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Quick Answer for Busy Parents
Oaks Christian School is a private, non-denominational Christian, college-preparatory day and boarding school in Westlake Village, CA, serving Grades 4 through 12. Admission uses the NWEA MAP Growth Test, four required recommendations, transcripts, and a required Student/Parent Interview, reviewed holistically rather than against a strict GPA or score cutoff. The application deadline is February 1, with acceptance notifications sent March 13.
Why Do Families Choose Oaks Christian School?
Founded in 2000, Oaks Christian School has grown into one of the most recognized Christian college-preparatory schools in the Los Angeles area, enrolling approximately 1,600 students at an 8:1 student-teacher ratio and holding an overall A+ grade on Niche. The school is accredited by ACSI, NAIS, and WASC, and reports SAT scores in the 1190-1420 range and ACT scores from 26-34. Families are drawn to its Five Signature Institutes, Global Leadership, Arts and Innovation, Engineering, Bible and Discipleship, and Health Science, its proximity to the Los Angeles entertainment industry, and facilities including an Olympic-regulation pool used by the USA Water Polo Team and Thorson Stadium. Graduates have gone on to schools including Stanford, UCLA, and several Ivy League universities.
Accreditation & Recognition Snapshot
| Category | Detail |
| Founded | 2000 |
| Accreditation | ACSI, NAIS, WASC |
| Niche rating | A+ overall |
| Student-teacher ratio | 8:1 |
| Test score ranges | SAT 1190-1420; ACT 26-34 |
How Hard Is It to Get Into Oaks Christian School?
Oaks Christian admits roughly 200 new students each year against about 700 applications for Grades 4-12 combined. Unlike many selective schools, OCS is explicit that it sets no strict minimum GPA or NWEA MAP score; admissions review weighs academic performance, Christian values and commitment, recommendations, leadership and extracurricular involvement, and the required interview together, holistically rather than against a fixed bar.
Top Tips for Applying
- Complete the full application (form, fee, birth certificate or passport, photo) before expecting a checklist within two business days
- Treat the required Student/Parent Interview as a genuine two-way conversation about fit
- Line up all four required recommendations early, including the Religious Leader/Personal option
Best Practices for Families
- Attend an admissions information night or open house before applying
- Consider an optional Shadow Day to see daily campus life beyond the required interview
Oaks Christian Admission Process
- Complete the admissions application and pay the $180 non-refundable fee.
- Upload a birth certificate (domestic students) or passport (international students) and a student photo.
- Receive an assigned checklist within two business days of submitting the application.
- Register for and take the NWEA MAP Growth Test (on campus for Grades 3-6; online from home for Grades 7-11).
- Request four recommendations: English Teacher, Math Teacher, Head of School/Principal, and Religious Leader/Personal.
- Submit report cards or transcripts for the two prior academic years plus current-year progress reports.
- Attend the required 30-minute Student/Parent Interview, scheduled through the checklist.
- Optionally apply for financial aid, a process entirely separate from admissions.
Admissions Calendar / Key Dates
| Milestone | Date |
| Application opens | September 15 |
| Financial aid application opens | October 1 |
| Financial aid deadline (returning families) | December 31 |
| Application deadline | February 1 |
| Financial aid deadline (new families) | February 1 |
| Acceptance notifications sent | March 13 |
Oaks Christian Application Requirements
Application & Documents
Every applicant completes the online application, pays a $180 non-refundable fee, and uploads a birth certificate (domestic) or passport (international) plus a student photo before an assigned checklist arrives within two business days.
Testing (NWEA MAP Growth Test)
Oaks Christian uses the NWEA MAP Growth Test, not the ISEE, SSAT, or HSPT, for Grades 3-12. The test is computer-adaptive, covering math, English, and reading, with no penalty for guessing. Grades 3-6 test on campus; Grades 7-11 test online from home. The school states no preparation is necessary, though a Family Toolkit of practice resources is available.
How to Prep for the Oaks Christian School Entrance Test
The best approach to preparing is to build confidence through familiarity. While the MAP Growth Test is adaptive and doesn’t have a fixed set of questions, students can still benefit from sharpening their reading comprehension, basic math skills, and time management. Practice tests and diagnostic quizzes can help reduce test anxiety and boost performance. At Cardinal Education, we offer personalized test prep services designed to help students feel prepared, focused, and ready to show their true academic potential. Whether your child needs to strengthen core skills or just get comfortable with the test format, we’re here to guide them every step of the way.
Recommendations
Four required for Grades 3-12: English Teacher, Math Teacher, Head of School/Principal, and Religious Leader/Personal. International and boarding applicants also submit English proficiency results (TOEFL, TOEFL Jr., IELTS, Duolingo, or Cambridge).
Transcripts
Report cards or transcripts covering the two prior full academic years plus current-year progress reports or semester grades. An official, signed and stamped final transcript is required after the current school year ends.
Interview
A required 30-minute Student/Parent Interview, with both the student and parent(s) attending together, is scheduled through the applicant’s checklist.
How To Make a Great Impression During the Oaks Christian School’s Admissions Interview
To make a great impression, preparation is key. Students should be ready to speak thoughtfully about their interests, strengths, and reasons for wanting to attend Oaks Christian. Practicing how to answer open-ended questions, express themselves clearly, and stay relaxed under a little pressure can go a long way. That’s where Cardinal Education comes in. We offer expert interview prep to help students present their best, most authentic selves. With our guidance, your child can walk into that interview room with confidence and leave a memorable impression.
Ready to Build a Standout Oaks Christian Application?
Cardinal Education consultants can help with every step, from the NWEA MAP Test to the required interview.
Student Life at Oaks Christian School
Academics
Oaks Christian’s curriculum spans Reading, Mathematics, English, History, Thematic Studies, Science, Theatrics/Theater, Music, Computer Skills, World Languages (Mandarin, Spanish, Latin), Physical Education, and Art, alongside its Five Signature Institutes: Global Leadership, Arts and Innovation, Engineering, Bible and Discipleship, and Health Science.
Athletics
Oaks Christian fields 52 sports (26 high school, 26 middle school) across 91 teams, using facilities including an Olympic-regulation pool used by the USA Water Polo Team and Thorson Stadium. See our overview of competitive sports in private school admissions for how athletics can factor into an application.
Academic Travel
Oaks Christian runs academic travel programs to destinations including Costa Rica, Turkey, Japan, and Australia, alongside the London Institute of Global Leadership and an East Coast Adventure trip. See our dedicated guide, Explore the World with Oaks Christian: Academic Travel Programs, for a full breakdown.
Health & Wellness
The school runs a Social Emotional Wellness program, two fully-staffed health offices, a physical therapy suite, and Parent Coffee seminars for families. See our guide, Health and Wellness at Oaks Christian School, for more detail.
Online & Hybrid Learning
Oaks Christian Online offers a fully accredited online program for students who need flexibility, and a hybrid option combining on-campus and online classes. See our guide, Is Oaks Christian Online a Good High School?, for details.
What Families Say
Get Into Oaks Christian School with the Best Admissions Consultants
Oaks Christian’s holistic, interview-inclusive process rewards families who prepare early and thoroughly. Cardinal Education’s private school admissions consultants help families do exactly that, including Asian American families using our dedicated Oaks Christian guide for AAPI applicants.
Ready to Apply with Confidence?
Cardinal Education helps families put together a genuinely strong Oaks Christian application, start to finish.
Related Articles
Is Oaks Christian Online a Good High School?
Explore the World with Oaks Christian: Academic Travel Programs
Health and Wellness at Oaks Christian School
Frequently Asked Questions
How competitive is admission to Oaks Christian School?
Does Oaks Christian interview applicants?
What test does Oaks Christian require?
What is Oaks Christian’s ranking?
We loved the idea of Oaks Christian for our son, but the process felt like a lot to take on ourselves. Cardinal Education broke it down into something manageable and helped him put his best foot forward without feeling like he was performing. It’s been such a relief seeing him thrive there.
— Parent from Oaks Christian