A teacher spending his evenings tutoring in study hall. A girl playing basketball. A boy driving a tractor. Four students in a Calculus class. A whole school singing together. A boy wins a wrestling match. A girl supervising after-dinner clean up. All are part of Oneida and all are part of why we are different from any other Christian school.
The reasons we've made such a difference in the lives of students are the reasons Oneida is unique in its program and values. Take a tour of the four major areas of Oneida's program and learn how Oneida can be the difference for your student.
OBI is a school, not a group home or a program. While we pray God allows us to minister to the total student, our priority as an institution is education for time and eternity. As a school, we strive to see that every student succeeds. Many students who get lost in larger public schools find the smaller class sizes and personal attention to be the key in turning failure to success.
Middle school students study English, literature, Bible, social studies, math, science and health. They are also able to choose from a number of electives and enrichments.
High school students are required to take 4 years of English, 3 years of math, 2 years of science, 3 years of social studies, 1 year of health/physical education, 1 year of Bible, 1 year of computer literacy and 6 electives. Our Bible requirement is in addition to the state requirements for graduation.
Seniors may graduate with either a standard diploma or an advanced diploma. In a typical class, almost half will earn an advanced diploma and several the Commonwealth Diploma, the highest diploma awarded by the state of Kentucky. About 60% of Oneida graduates go on to college or other institutions of higher learning.
Oneida has a "Tutoring Lab" program for students who struggle with low reading and/or math skills. We also provide "English as a Second Language" for international students, and developmental English for students who need assistance with high school English skills.
Work is an Oneida value and job skills are integrated into the Oneida curriculum. Many of our students learn work skills while earning credits in classes like welding and agriculture. Others have a supervised work experience in the print shop, maintenance, tutoring, publications or library.
Boarding students not on the academic honor roll (B average or above) are required to attend study hall each evening, Monday through Thursday. Students who receive one or more progress reports (D or lower) have an extra study hall on these nights. All OBI teachers take their turn assisting students in study hall. Most of our students significantly raise their grades while they are at Oneida and credit the involvement of teachers as a key factor.
topAll Oneida students are required to attend a 30 minute chapel service each school day. Boarding students are additionally required to attend two worship services on Sundays. Optional Bible study groups for all ages are available on Sundays and at other times. Friday Praise and Worship is the most popular time of the week at OBI.
Parents are often concerned about what kind of religion their child will be exposed to while they are at boarding school. We have a denominationally diverse faculty and student body, but our worship and approach reflect our Southern Baptist heritage and values. Evangelism is a priority for us, but we respect the various backgrounds and churches that are represented in our school. We do not allow manipulation or pressure tactics in presenting Christianity to our students. Most students who attend OBI do express a personal faith in Christ at some time. We encourage new Christians to become active in their home churches.
If you would like to hear a typical chapel message, you can hear Campus Minister Michael Spencer here. (You must have Real Audio.)
While we do not have mandatory counseling of any kind, the OBI staff will approach student problems with Biblical counseling as a tool. Voluntary Pastoral counseling is available for problems related to the student?s school and personal experience.
We have the only middle school/high school Baptist Student Union in Kentucky. Older Christian youth can develop leadership skills as BSU small group leaders. Our BSU hosts a weekly prayer time and weekly meetings, plus special events during the year. Students are frequently involved in creative ministries through drama, music, trips, concerts and recreation. FCA ministers to student athletes and others.
Questions about spiritual life at OBI can be addressed to Campus Ministry.
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Oneida Baptist Institute is distinctive in allowing any student to participate in athletics regardless of ability. Any student may try out for a team, and no one is "cut" because of lack of ability. The only limitations are KHSAA rules, OBI rules and health considerations. Every year, many of our students participate in a sport or cocurricular activity for the very first time. This "open participation" policy is a key difference between OBI and other schools and one of the reasons we succeed with many students who have failed elsewhere.
Athletic possibilities include: volleyball, cheerleading and softball for girls; golf, wrestling and baseball for boys; cross country, basketball, swimming, tennis, track and field, and soccer for both boys and girls.
Other cocurricular programs are: FFA, Academic team, drama, choir, concert and pep band, FCA, Boy Scouts, BETA Club and Baptist Student Union. Students publish a monthly newspaper and an annual yearbook.
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An important Oneida difference is maintaining a strong tradition of work for every member of our school family. Every boarding student is required to have some type of job. Many cocurricular activities count as jobs in our work program. Students not involved in such activities can choose from a variety of chores. Boys clean our school and administrative buildings and do campus yard work. Girls work in the girl's dorm, dining hall and dishroom. Other jobs for boys and girls include a variety of farm work, dormitory cleaning, working in the OBI grill and serving as dorm hall monitors.
Students who excel at their jobs may be promoted to supervisory positions. Good and outstanding workers are rewarded throughout the year. Through the Oneida work program, our young people learn to value being on time, perfecting job skills, following directions and taking pride in a job well done. For many students, self respect and a new beginning start with a simple job done well
The OBI Work is a significant difference from any public school. It alone makes OBI worthwhile.
Questions about the Work program can be addressed to the Dean of Students.
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