Oasis Academy in Fallon, Nevada is making a difference in its community by constructing a new high school campus. This public charter school opened its doors in August after a whirlwind of activity. The principal of the new state-of-the-art school, Rochelle Tisdale, tells us all about how the new school came to fruition and what it hopes to achieve in the near future.
A Journey from Borrowing to Owning
When Oasis Academy first opened its doors in 2011, the school operated out of a repurposed warehouse previously owned by Walmart. The building provided ample space for the school to build out all the classrooms they needed to hold their K-12 students. However, five years ago, the local community college opened one of its unused buildings for Oasis Academy to use for their high school students. This allowed the K-8 school to expand within its current space while the high schoolers enjoyed a separate campus.
Unfortunately for Oasis, about two years ago, the community college received a grant to open a nursing program that required them to reclaim the building Oasis now used for its high school campus. So, the Oasis leadership team moved quickly to build a new high school in the two years they had to vacate the college’s space. Thanks to their fiscal responsibility and a grant from the William N. Pennington Foundation, Oasis constructed a brand new school in two years’ time.
A Space Designed for Growth and Innovation
The new Oasis Academy building spans 12,748 square feet and currently accommodates around 180 students, with plans to expand to 200 students in future phases. To provide the best education possible, Oasis keeps the class sizes between 24 and 26 students to preserve a personalized and close-knit learning environment.
Safety and functionality were at the forefront of the design process. Classrooms feature windows strategically placed to offer natural light while maintaining privacy from the outside. Unique to this school, the building is designed to function similarly to a college campus in that teachers have dedicated offices rather than classrooms. Common areas and study carrels further enhance the collaborative learning atmosphere.
As to the education students receive, Oasis is different than most public schools. They focus on preparing their student for the future by ensuring they leave high school with more than a high school education. 90% of the students graduate with either an associate degree or a certification in a career or technical training course thanks to their partnership with a local community college. By meeting with a school counselor weekly, 100% of students graduate, and many are work-ready whether they pursue further education or not.
About 90% of our kids graduate with at least one associate degree. If they don’t get their associate’s degree, then we put them into a career and technical education course, like welding, or certified nursing assistant so they graduate with a Work Ready certificate.
Rochelle Tisdale | Principal
Flexible, Future-Ready Learning Spaces
Regarding the design of the school, one of the standout features of the new building is its highly flexible furniture, selected with both current needs and future possibilities in mind. Partnering with the Create Spaces Reno team, the school chose furniture that is not only functional but also adaptable. Whiteboard surfaces and roller-equipped tables allow easy movement and reconfiguration, supporting a dynamic and engaging learning environment.
The “Hangout” space where students eat and access their lockers has quickly become a favorite among students and staff alike. Designed with comfort and versatility in mind, this area offers various seating options, creating an inviting space for study, collaboration, and relaxation.
The furniture allows for a lot of flexibility and movement. The teachers were very skeptical of it at first, but they like it now, because if they want to switch up the groups they have the kids move the furniture around. It has been quite nice.
Rochelle Tisdale | Principal
Looking Ahead: A Bright Future
The new building has already made a significant impact on the educational experience at Oasis Academy. With better facilities and access to cutting-edge technology, students can now engage in more group projects and hands-on learning opportunities.
With the successful completion of the new building, Oasis Academy stands poised to continue its legacy of educational excellence, equipped with the resources and vision to prepare and empower future generations.
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