WHERE PURPOSE MEETS POSSIBILITY
Oceanlight School
A new proposed TK-8 tuition-free public charter school seeking approval in North San Mateo County, designed for the planet and for the future.
We believe every child can make a difference — starting now. Our hands-on, project-based approach helps students become creative, caring, and confident learners, ready to face the challenges of their time.
HEART • MIND • SKILLS
GROWING SOLUTIONARIES
We grow “solutionaries” — young people with the heart, mind, and skills to make a meaningful difference for the Earth and each other.
We are a school for the planet, where purpose meets possibility. We nurture students to be innovative, resilient, and empathetic, with a deep sense of responsibility to their communities and the environment.
LEARNING BY DOING
Students dive into hands-on, project-based activities in and out of the classroom — solving real-world problems, working in teams, and leading their own projects. Field trips, experiments, and outdoor adventures turn lessons into lifelong memories. Experiential learning is at the heart of everything we do.
A FAMILY OF FAMILIES
Oceanlight is more than a school - it’s a close-knit community. Families, teachers, and students support one another. We make room for one another so that every child feels known and that they belong. We embrace diversity and respect our differences. This “family of families” approach means everyone has a voice, and together, we create a wonderful community with strong connections beyond the classroom.
INTERDISCIPLINARY THEMATIC APPROACH
Teachers work collaboratively to organize their teaching of various disciplines under overarching themes. A guiding question for each theme opens the door to historical, ethical, social, scientific, and mathematical inquiry. Students learn to engage a question or problem from a 360-degree perspective.
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
Caring for our planet is woven into every aspect of school life. Students learn to be responsible stewards through daily green practices, community projects, and our unique environmental programs - helping kids become Earth’s future caretakers.
STEAM PROBLEM SOLVING
We use STEAM — Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math — as a problem-solving framework. Students engage in hands-on projects that leverage their knowledge and skills to engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate. This approach helps students apply their learning in meaningful ways and prepares them to solve real-world problems.
SIGNATURE PROGRAMS
Marine Science Deep Dive: A schoolwide, annual marine science and stewardship experience.
8th Grade Capstone: Student-driven culminating projects that leave a legacy.
FAMILY PARTNERSHIP
Families are true partners — volunteering, working with teachers, mentoring, and shaping the school experience together. When families actively contribute to support a vibrant learning community, students achieve more, feel more confident, and thrive both academically and socially.
LIFE SKILLS
Preparing students for success means equipping them emotionally and socially beyond academics. Our approach is designed to help every child develop a strong sense of identity, belonging, and agency in school and in life by focusing on the development of practical abilities and healthy relationships — including our practice of using first names for everyone to foster openness and connection.
CROSS-GRADE COLLABORATION
Students of different ages work together on projects, learn from each other, and build friendships across grade levels. Older students mentor younger ones, creating a strong sense of belonging and leadership for all.
JOIN US
Be part of the Oceanlight effort
Write a Letter of Support Today
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS
Fill out our Interest Form to help us shape our school community and influence our location selection as we seek authorization.
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