Oak Hill Academy is in a beautiful location in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains on the border of Virginia and North Carolina. It offers the perfect blend of peaceful natural surroundings with a very active and exciting campus life, where students grow academically, socially, and personally. Autumn is one of the most inspiring times of year here—when the leaves change color, the air turns crisp, and student life flourishes in every corner of campus.
Morning on Campus
At this private boarding school, mornings begin with mountain mist lifting over the hills and students heading to class surrounded by fall colors. The energy on campus is vibrant: some students chat on the way to English, others grab coffee before a math test, and athletes squeeze in early workouts. These small daily moments reflect the unique rhythm of boarding school life in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Academics with an Edge
Oak Hill Academy’s academic curriculum combines traditional core subjects with cutting-edge opportunities. Students explore fields like social media and branding, video production, entrepreneurial studies, visual arts, and music—all alongside rigorous college-prep courses.
Teachers know each student personally, supporting academic growth while guiding character development and leadership. This balance ensures that students are challenged in the classroom while gaining real-world skills that prepare them for success in college and beyond.
A Day of Discovery
A typical day in the life of an Oak Hill student is hard to pinpoint because students develop or bring passion in so many areas. Opportunities for discovery include an academic curriculum with over 50 courses and a campus life enriched by more than 25 clubs and almost a dozen sports—from equestrian to wrestling.
For some, the day may include editing a short film for video production class; for others, it may mean practicing with a nationally recognized athletic team or leading a student government meeting. Oak Hill Academy is a great place to discover new interests and then dive deep.
The Rhythm of a Student-Athlete’s Day
For a student-athlete on campus, days are about balancing responsibilities on the court, in the classroom, in the dorm, and across campus life. Basketball players often begin their mornings at 5:30 a.m. in the gym, working on individual skill development before joining classmates and friends for breakfast at 7:45 a.m. Homeroom follows in the Chapel at 8:15 a.m., setting the tone for a full day of classes from 8:30 a.m. to 4:05 p.m.
With eight periods in the schedule, the pace is brisk: 50-minute classes move quickly, broken up by a third-period academic focus block where students meet with their faculty advisor and organize their workload. After classes, students can check in with friends at the Alumni Campus Store or stop by the College Planning Lab to meet with their college advisor.
Afternoons bring practices, club meetings, and for some, equestrian training, leading into community dinner in the Dining Hall at 6 p.m. Evenings balance activity and responsibility: students may head to the fitness center, attend club events, or enjoy free time before returning to their dorms for study hours at 8:30 p.m. Here, they can work independently, study with peers, or take part in teacher-led tutorials.
Study time flows naturally into lights-out, giving students a chance to recharge for the next day. Underclassmen head to bed at 10:30 p.m., while seniors enjoy an 11:30 p.m. curfew. It’s a full day—structured, active, and designed to help students succeed academically, athletically, and personally.
Evenings in Community
For all students, evenings on campus highlight the balance of independence and support. Whether through study groups in the dorms or conversations on the porch under the stars, community life is central. Students build habits of responsibility and leadership while forming friendships that last far beyond Oak Hill.
A Season of Growth
A fall day at Oak Hill Academy reflects everything that makes this boarding school unique: a beautiful location in the Blue Ridge Mountains, a blend of peaceful surroundings and active campus life, and an academic program that goes beyond textbooks to prepare students for the future. Through school spirit, character development, and student leadership, Oak Hill students learn not only who they are but who they can become.
To explore Oak Hill Academy for your student, please contact the Office of Admissions at (276) 579-2619 or admission@oak-hill.net. To see our community in action, campus tours can be scheduled and online virtual tours are offered by appointment. Please schedule a zoom meeting with us to discuss your goals and considerations for finding the right boarding school fit for your student.