Oracle Charter School hosts distinguished visitors from the Ukraine

Oracle Charter School hosts distinguished visitors from the Ukraine

Buffalo, NY—Oracle Charter School proudly welcomed a group of high-level educators from the Ukraine, who made a special visit to their school last week, announced Head of School, John Ashwood.

Among the distinguished guests, was the Head of the Division of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Technology Education, Ukraine; the Head of the Rivne Region Department of Education and Science; the Deputy Secretary of Education, Head of the Public School Division, Kyiv Oblast Department of Education; the Chief Consultant, Secretariat of the Deputy Factions’ Coalition, Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (Parliament); and several others.

This is the second year that Oracle has served as an information exchange platform for an international group of educators. Last year, the school hosted visitors from Turkey and Lithuania, whose visit focused on exploring how American schools integrate service learning projects into their curriculum. The focus of this year’s discussion was counseling and helping students choose professions.

Just as Oracle was a perfect fit for last year’s service learning topic (the school requires all students to complete a targeted level of community service), they were again a perfect fit for this year’s discussion because of their college prep mission and because their small size makes it possible for the school and its counseling department to give attention to students as individuals, as they work toward specific career and college goals.

During the school visit and tour, the group discussed career counseling methodologies, which included the school’s use of a dedicated college counselor, career maps, and the special seminar classes that the school offers. Of special interest to the group was Oracle’s seminar topics, which include matching personality type and skill set with careers, PSAT/SAT prep, interviewing, and college applications. Also discussed were curriculum choices, Oracle’s unique course topics, and discipline.

Speaking through a translator, the group expressed that “the success of the school was a direct result of the school’s compassionate and well-trained professionals, its atmosphere, and the commitment and behavior of its students.” The group presented Oracle with a carved wooden plate as a goodwill gift for opening its doors and sharing information.

The visit was made possible through a special arrangement with the International Institute of Buffalo and the Open World Leadership Center. The visiting educators are selected by their country to come to the United States to explore best practices in education.

Oracle Charter School is located at 888 Delaware Avenue in a turn-of-the-century, E. B. Green-designed mansion. The school has a total enrollment of approximately 350 students in grades 9-12.  More than 50 faculty and staff are employed at the school. Class sizes are 22 students or fewer.  For more information on Oracle Charter School or its programs call 362-3188.