OSSM not only allowed me to mature and develop important life skills, it gave me a community of people (friends and faculty) whose influence will stick with me for the rest of my life.  Remembering all the hard physics problems, long labs and random study sessions in the mezzanine, I realize all the fun I had and I’m truly happy to be a part of something so special.

OSSM has really given me the challenge I have always looked for… [and] significantly increased my confidence when it comes to taking and handling challenging academic courses. Even during a worldwide pandemic, the faculty have been supportive, understanding, and caring! The resources and opportunities we get at this school are something I would never have gotten at my home high school!

I learned that I have a passion for physics that I did not know I had.  At my home school, I would have never taken any physics class.  But, because of the exceptional physics program at OSSM, I found a major portion of what my passions are.

OSSM prepared me for a petroleum engineering undergraduate program which helped me start my first semester of college as a sophomore and have a higher GPA after that first semester.   (See more of Tyler’s story HERE!)

OSSM has changed my life because it challenged me academically as student. Growing up, I wasn’t the smartest nor the best at academics, but I enjoy a good challenge because it conditions my commitment and perseverance. In addition, OSSM gave me close relationship with other like-minded individuals, living and learning with each other.

OSSM has changed my life. I have learned so much, met so many amazing people, and had many opportunities. The heavy course load has shown me that I can accomplish anything, no matter how hard it seems. I have met a lot of people that have similar ambitions as me and we have grown together throughout our time at OSSM.

Being at OSSM has driven me to focus more on my academics, and it has taught me how to utilize my time well. I constantly find myself surrounded by supportive peers and teachers, and . . . I will always be thankful for OSSM and everyone that I’ve met here, because through this school, I’ve found a new and more confident “me” that I know will thrive in the future.

At OSSM, I was challenged not just by the academic rigor, but by the quality of people that I met. They helped me to challenge myself by being a better person.

In so many ways, my experience at OSSM grew me as a person by completely breaking down and rebuilding my perception of an excellent education. Not only was I able to experience a competitive yet collaborative school culture, but I learned much more than I ever thought possible.  

There is a sense of security to be gained from similarity.  At OSSM, however, I have found my best friends are the most different from me, and I relish in our unique approaches to problem solving.  We all share in the ambition to better ourselves and the community we share.