Our School History

How the Oaks Tutorials Came to be…

Beginning around 2005, while working hard to educate their own growing family in North Carolina, Shawn and Candis Brandt sought to involve others in the hefty goals they had. Candis began and led two other programs for homeschooling families, and Shawn and she helped to start a hybrid model Christian, classical high school from which two of their ten children graduated. Both academic programs continue to flourish today under the board of the high school. When God moved the Brandts to Texas in 2015 for Shawn’s employment, they started over, looking high and low for something that would be similar to what they had helped to establish in North Carolina. It became obvious there was a need not being filled, and they began to seek others to join them in a new endeavor. Nate and Leah Douglas agreed to partner with them in February of 2020, bringing with them their heritage and experience in classical education. They, too, were looking for help with classical homeschooling in a program that married excellent academic standards with joyful conformity to God’s standards. Our vision was aligned from the beginning and began to take shape quickly during the Covid lockdown. From the start in August of 2020 with 22 students in 3rd – 12th grades, The Oaks has experienced God’s gracious provision of amazing teachers and like-minded families. The Brandt and Douglas families have a valuable perspective, because between them they have children at The Oaks in all the levels – Grammar, Logic and Rhetoric. 

Candis’s experience as a mother and home educator to 10 children made her realize the need for expert teachers and a like-minded community to maximize their academic potential. Over the years of teaching in and leading other academic programs (Director of Classical Conversations; Founder and director of 7 Pillars Tutorials (now Greyfriars Classical Tutorials); and a co-founder of Greyfriars Classical Academy in Matthews, N.C.), her vision for what we are doing at The Oaks Tutorials has taken shape. She has been molded by others through reading, conversation, and ongoing self-education, and is now supported and strengthened by wise and deep-thinking collaborators. Half of her children are now married and some have begun to educate their own children, following the vision she and Shawn cast, and standing on their shoulders. With the successful launch of their adult children, and 2 remaining students in high school, Candis offers a unique perspective. She is able to cast a vision for parents, encouraging them to look ahead with intentionality. 

Leah Douglas brings her classical education experience, depth of knowledge, and her eye for detail to lead the way in curriculum development and academic scope. Her leadership is invaluable. Her educational heritage is a vital piece of our conception and continued growth. Leah was homeschooled for four years before her parents started a classical school for her and her brother when she was in fourth grade. She has greatly benefited from their passion for excellence, sharing that with us. She graduated from a classical Christian college, which served to deepen her roots and nurture her love of learning. Nate Douglas was homeschooled through high school and graduated from the same classical Christian college. Their four children range from the early grammar stage to the logic stage.