Please click the link here to access the updated Family Handbook for SY26-27. Please review this carefully. Here's what you can expect to find herein:
Oyster-Adams’ core identity is bilingualism, biliteracy, and equity. The school’s mission centers on developing bilingual, biliterate students in Spanish and English while promoting academic excellence, sociocultural competence, critical consciousness, and global leadership. All students receive instruction in both languages, with language allocation varying by grade level.
Attendance and punctuality are major priorities. Instruction begins at 8:45 a.m., attendance is critical to student success, and students must be present for at least 80% of the school day to be considered legally present. DCPS policy states that families must submit absence documentation within five school days, and chronic absenteeism or repeated unexcused absences can trigger mandatory interventions.
The school uses a restorative, relationship-centered approach to behavior. Rather than focusing primarily on punishment, Oyster-Adams emphasizes Conscious Discipline, Restorative Practices, social-emotional learning, and repairing harm. Expectations center on integrity, kindness, respect, and accountability, with escalating interventions for more serious or repeated behaviors.
Technology use is consciously limited: Personal cell phones, smartwatches, and other electronic devices are prohibited during the school day and must be turned off and stored. Oyster-Adams explicitly positions itself as a “no-electronics zone” and has progressive consequences for violations. The school also recently adopted pedagogical guidelines designed to limit unnecessary screen use and prioritize student interaction and discourse.
Strong family-school partnership is an expectation, not an option. Families are expected to engage through ParentSquare, weekly newsletters, conferences, attendance communication, and behavioral/academic support. Our handbook repeatedly emphasizes that student success depends on active collaboration between educators and families, with communication flowing both ways.
Please note that the specific handbooks for Athletics, Clubs, and other Partner Programs will be forthcoming this year on this website. Additionally, we hope to release guidelines on AI usage as well.
