Okawville prides itself on an excellent community driven education system. A small school can mean big benefits that help children be successful throughout their lives. Individual attention, accessible extracurricular activities, a comfortable learning environment where curiosity is encouraged are all indicators of a successful education system like the one right here in Okawville.
Jump to an education category below:
By The Numbers Teacher Testimonial Extracurricular Activities Facilities Preparation for Higher Education Immanuel Lutheran School
By The Numbers
Okawville is proud to say that in most categories the local school exceeded state average in academic achievements. This places Okawville as an above average school that any parent can be proud to send their child to.
The graduation rate and postsecondary enrollment rate is 7% higher than state average. Class size is 16 students compared to the state’s 20, and a 11:1 student-teacher ratio means more individual attention for your child. Health and physical education are implemented more times per week than the average school, an important factor in today’s lifestyles. Student attendance is high at 96.3% with 10% less chronic absences per year than the state average. 41.5% of Okawville teachers have their master’s degree or higher, and the school retains those teachers at 4% higher rate that the state does. These dedicated educators also have 23% less absences than state average.
Teacher Testimonial
Dana Donovan, an English Department educator and adviser to Timepiece and Launch Pad (a yearbook and newspaper club), has lent her thoughts below about why Okawville is a valuable place to receive an education.
Benefits of a Rural School
The biggest benefit Dana sees of a rural school is the surrounding community. When a community is involved in a school it benefits everyone. They see value in the school and will easily work together to improve the school’s position. Parental involvement is high, and it makes it easier to work through any problems with an invested parent. The town is interested in what the clubs and athletics are doing providing support for them to do their best.
She also feels that it is harder to fall through the cracks at a small school. It’s easier to identify when an individual student is having problems. She works hard to ensure that she recognizes any struggling student which she can do because of smaller class sizes.
Involvement as a Club Adviser
Dana loves being a Timepiece supervisor and sees big benefits for her students in it. Her classroom was built with a private computer room just for the club to meet. She lets her club members make that space their own and feel as though they have a comfortable, private area they can pursue their passion in. She likes that these students get to know her personally and see her as a someone they can confide in not just an authority figure. The students start to relate to her and see that she cares about their future. They will come to her seeking advice knowing that they will find a listening ear every time.
Her favorite part of being an adviser is getting to see students pursue what they love like photography, design, writing, etc. That’s why she feels being in a club or sport is so important. Students get to explore activities outside of normal curriculum which leads to better and happier career decisions after graduation. At a smaller school, students get to be involved in more activities and be able to figure out what they truly want to do in life.
What the Future Holds
She sees a bright future for Okawville with a strong community investment. She continues to investigate new technology and prepare students for how to handle the rapid pace of that technology and social media. She cautions them on how to handle internet sources and present themselves online. She and her fellow teachers are always striving to improve and they are never done learning.
Extracurricular Activities
Okawville strongly encourages all students to participate in an extracurricular activity. The administration knows that students who choose to participate are more likely to have consistent attendance, academic achievement and aspirations for continuing education beyond high school (NCES study). That is why Okawville is committed to keeping a variety of clubs and athletics to join with committed club advisers supervising each one.
Currently the majority of students are in at least one activity. Many are in 5-6 of them. The faculty and staff help encourage participation by making meeting times accessible to all students regardless of transportation. That could mean arranging ride shares, having meeting times during accessible hours or setting up bus transportation to events. If a student at Okawville wants to participate in an activity, the school will find a way for that to happen.
Students in extracurriculars are held to a high standard of academics coming first. This helps teach good values and responsibility. They don’t want to let their team down and strive to do what is best for their club and ultimately themselves. This also helps build a solid teacher-student relationship. Students get to know their club adviser very well, and they often become the students go to mentor. They feel comfortable coming to that adviser with problems and seeking advice.
Current Extracurricular Offerings
Athletics: Baseball, Basketball, Bass Fishing Club, Cross Country, Golf, Softball, Track and Field and Volleyball
Organizations: Art Club, Drama Club, Future Business Leaders of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Future Farmers of America, Launch Pad (School Newspaper), Model UN, Mu Alpha Theta, Music Ensembles and Organizations, National Honor Society, Quill & Scroll, Science Club, Spanish Club, Student Council, Student Leadership Team, Timepiece and Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering
Facilities
In 2010, the town decided to invest in a new state-of-the-art K-12 facility.
While planning the facility, educators were asked for input on their idea of a perfect learning environment. This allowed for classroom needs to meet and exceed student and parent expectations. Larger classrooms, extra meeting space for group projects and club gatherings, new athletic facilities have made for a great environment to learn and grown in.
Having grades K-12 in one building has been a great asset to parents, teachers and students alike. It helped to grow the school ecosystem making everyone feel more connected than ever. Parents are able to better divide their time and can participate in different children’s age groups easily. Teachers can come together to put out consistent communication, present ideas to each other and check that their curriculums line up. Siblings stay connected and are able to help younger children be more comfortable in their surroundings.
Safety was also taken into account with a secured front office and sets of double locking doors.
Along with the new building has come a resolution to keep pace with technology. Computers are regularly replaced on approximately a two year cycle because Okawville is committed to giving children every possible advantage.
Preparation for Higher Education
Okawville High School’s ultimate goal is to see each child become thriving, contributing members of society. Thanks to a special emphasis on college preparation from the staff and faculty the goal of college enrollment is met 82% of the time which is 7% higher than the state average.
The administration partners with Kaskaskia Community College to organize a Career Day where students can explore how their passions can translate into college majors and a professional career. A career test is also given to students who may need help figuring out where their interests lie. Getting students to think about careers early and often creates happier, more satisfied college experiences.
The faculty pride themselves in the college readiness of their students. Not only do they follow a curriculum set up for college success, but they help prepare the students for the vital admissions test the SAT. Class time is set aside, so all students have an equal opportunity to practice with an expert educator. They learn how to manage time, the types of questions asked and how to answer them correctly. Teachers give incentives to students to spend extra time practicing for the exam creating a more fun experience for the students who in turn feel prepared and ready on test day.
Okawville graduates have a chance to receive a number of scholarships at graduation. See the full list here. In 2019, the Senior Class of 45 graduates received a total of $65,000 in local scholarships.
Visit the Okawville Grade School website at okawvillek12.org/ogs. Visit the Okawville Jr./Sr. High School website at okawvillek12.org/ohs.
Immanuel Lutheran School
Immanuel Lutheran School Mission Statement: preparing students for life here and in eternity.
Many families choose Immanuel because they are looking for something exceptional for their child. They realize the importance of a Christian education and like the smaller caring community of our school. They appreciate Immanuel's high standards for academic achievement and the highly trained and caring faculty that strives to help each child realize his or her full potential.
They want their child to be looked upon as a unique individual created by God. They realize the importance of a Christian environment that helps children discover, develop, and use their God-given gifts to the glory of Christ the Savior.
We offer an excellent Christian education to children in preschool - 8th grade. Children are challenged and encouraged daily by a dedicated staff who are passionate about teaching and sharing their faith. We want every student to have a personal relationship with Jesus and we provide the best foundation for a lifetime of learning.
Visit the Immanual Lutheran School website at immanuelokawville.org.
