The Oxbow School has both a local and national reputation for excellence. Oxbow produces great artists. In its studio, these emerging artists have a community of creative peers who respect one another and foster an expectation to produce thoughtful, sophisticated work.

The richness of the students’ experience at oxbow prepares them for the intense academic and studio opportunities that follow at colleges like Rhode Island School of Design.

It's been a whirlwind week, but also a time when I sang the praises of Oxbow to my colleagues. I've been thinking much about how Oxbow is an exemplar of true education. That art centers the curriculum is hardly surprising, and for those of us who work within the traditional educational mold Oxbow offers a gold standard of focused project based learning. Beyond the school's approach to immersive experience are the intangibles which make Oxbow different. The sense of community and of working together, even as each student retained their strong individual presence is palpable. The feeling of warmth and trust between the adults and the nearly adults in the Oxbow community could be felt throughout the campus. The openness of the architecture and interconnectedness of the three studios in themselves speak of the Oxbow philosophy and identity. More than form follows function, the physical attributes of Oxbow have a distinct warmth and invite exploration.

I'm sure that the ongoing challenges of leading and reinventing your school might sometimes keep you from having the time to see Oxbow with the fresh eyes of a visitor, but your steady presence and vision are really visible in every detail. Thank you for inviting me to one of the most profound experiences in my career.

Sending first generation students across the country is no small matter, and we trust Oxbow to make the kind of relationships with our students and families that they have here at Boston Arts Academy. We have been pleased to note that they often return more mature, independent, and able to apply higher level thinking skills and make connections in new ways. Many students form relationships at Oxbow that continue into their college years and beyond, and they definitely create work that is portfolio- and college-ready. The Oxbow experience is a must for any student passionate about the visual arts.

Oxbow School is one of the preeminent choices for creative high school students interested in the arts. Their project-based, integrated approach to learning mirrors the approach of many top art schools. At California College of the Arts, we are thrilled to see applicants who have attended Oxbow because we know they are well prepared for the rigors of college level work. I wish there had been an Oxbow School when I was a high school student!

The art that goes on in most high schools is usually relatively skill-based. At Oxbow, there is more emphasis on looking and seeing and more critical thinking about what you are doing, the human connection, that personal element. Through art you can begin to understand yourself better. That may be the biggest eye-opener for students. It is almost a preview of college. Get out of the mechanical factory high school education and get into something open, new, and invigorating in a small environment.

I saw how 18 weeks at Oxbow changed the kids’ lives in terms of confidence. They are committed, poised and have been through a process that gave them authenticity, it gave them a voice. Magic happens in those 18 weeks at Oxbow. Kids come out different human beings, better citizens of the world. It’s really powerful.

At Oxbow, the eye and the hand are inseparable from the mind and because their peers are also artists, students adopt fresh attitudes toward their work.

At its heart, science is about discovering the hows and whys of the universe, and art is about representing them for the self and others. Both the performance of science and the creation of art are hands-on, intensely creative activities, and it was a pleasure to show students how the two disciplines were alike in so many ways.