Our mission partner school, Oakhurst STEAM Academy, is gearing up for another exciting school year. Under the continued leadership of Principal Kimberly Roberts, the school has made significant strides in both academic performance and school culture.

In the 2023-24 school year, Ms. Roberts laid a strong foundation for a positive student culture, a focus that carried successfully into the past year. As a result, during 2024-25, teachers reported spending less time on discipline, allowing them to concentrate more on learning strategies and test-taking skills. These efforts have paid off: End-of-Grade (EOG) scores improved in all but two categories, with some areas showing double-digit gains over the previous year.

PUMC played a meaningful role in this success by providing small reward toys to every 3rd–5th grade student who completed their EOGs. Ms. Roberts shared that these incentives were a strong motivating factor for students.

As the 2025-26 school year begins, Oakhurst celebrates a 78% staff retention rate, a remarkable improvement from Ms. Roberts' first year, when over 25 positions had to be filled, signaling a growing stability within her teaching staff.

Despite the progress, the school faces significant challenges. Oakhurst’s student body includes a high number who receive free lunch. As a Title I designee, the school received their allocation for this year, but future funding is at risk. Enrollment is another concern. Although 560 students are registered, a dip in attendance—particularly among foreign families—could affect funding and resource allocations. Compounding the issue, Oakhurst lacks a working PTA, which limits its access to additional financial support that many other schools enjoy.  A stronger parent school community.

PUMC and Oakhurst Partnership

• The Oakhurst Pencil Drive – Oakhurst’s greatest need are pencils! PUMC has set the goal to collect at least 40,000 pencils for their students and staff.  The Big Pencil Collection Bin is by the Welcome Desk

• Clothing Drive – The school is requesting gently used children’s clothing and new underwear (ongoing year-round need).

• Supporting staff and students

  • Staff breakfast on this first workday,  August 18

  • PUMC Cheerleaders to greet students arriving by bus and carpool on the first day of school, August 25  - All are welcome

  • PUMC Staffing the PTA Recruitment table during Open House, August 21

• Principal Kimberly Roberts will provide the Diakonia on September 21 at all services

• Volunteering Activities – Augustine Literacy, Test Proctors

Thanks for your continued support of Oakhurst as they continue their progress and get ready for another year of learning.  Contact Martha Carpenter HERE or Delta Sonderman HERE for more information.