Oakland High School

History

OHS opened in 1972 along with a sister school Riverdale High School (RHS). The schools were the first two high schools built after Central Magnet School in the Rutherford County school system.

While the school began as a traditional high school, OHS would add specialized programs to its curriculum, such as the AP program, the IB program, and vocational programs like the Mechatronics program. These programs led to the school becoming a choice school through OHS Choice.

In 2022, the Rutherford County School board proposed a renovation to OHS, including 140,000 square feet of new construction. The main purpose of this renovation was to connect all of Oakland High School's buildings. The Rutherford County Budget, Finance, and Investment committee met in April 2023 and approved the allocation of $47 million to the project. The construction began in the summer of the 2023 and was finished in August 2025. This new expansion includes: a two story hallway between the annex and the main building that connects both main building parts, a shorter hallway connecting an outdoor building, a new courtyard, and a new auditorium.

Leadership

In June 2018, Bill Spurlock was assigned the role of Director of Schools after 10 years of service as the principal of OHS. He was replaced by John Marshall in August 2018, who has been in the role since.

Sports rivalry

In 1972, students from Central High School were split between OHS and Riverdale High School, leading to a fierce rivalry between the students. This rivalry was intensified by fierce competition in football and basketball.

While the rivalry has cooled down in recent history due to the founding of Blackman High School, and Siegel High School, it still remains very strong. In October 2022, a shooting occurred in the parking lot of a Riverdale-Oakland football game. Nobody was injured.

Mechatronics

OHS offers an award-winning Mechatronics program in partnership with Motlow State Community College. This program allows students to earn up to 61 college credit hours in Mechatronics Engineering. Optionally, students can enroll in the AAS program, in which they can earn a Mechatronics Associate degree through Motlow while attending OHS. Multiple Tennessee Universities, such as MTSU, UT Chattanooga, and

Tennessee Tech offer a "2+2 program", which allows students to obtain a Mechatronics Bachelor's degree in 2 years if they obtain the Mechatronics ASS degree.

Additionally, students can earn multiple certifications, as listed below:

Siemens Level 1 certification

FANUC robotic Material Handling Tool and Programming Level 1 certification

Solidworks CSWA certification

6 Precision Measurement Instruments (PMI) certifications

3 different Yaskawa Robotics certifications

Siemens Level 2 certification through Motlow, if the student completes the ASS path.

The school won Tennessee's 2017 Excellence in action, Manufacturing award for its Mechatronics and automotive technology programs. In 2017, Betsy DeVos visited the school to commemorate this achievement.

Leonard Ciletti has led the OHS Mechatronics program since its inception.

Notable alumni

Bryan M. Clayton - businessman and real estate investor, CEO and cofounder of GreenPal

Isaiah Horton, American college football wide receiver for the Alabama Crimson Tide

Jordan James, NFL running back for the San Francisco 49ers

Bayer Mack, writer, record executive, and film producer

Stephen McAdoo, NFL/CFL player with the Cleveland Browns and Shreveport Pirates, CFL Coach, currently offensive line coach for the Toronto Argonauts

Robert J. Schwalb, (writer), Sci-Fi/Fantasy Author, Game Designer

Emmanuel Smith, American football linebacker and Super Bowl LIV champion

JaCoby Stevens, American football safety

Woodi Washington, American college football cornerback for the Oklahoma Sooners

Chris Young, country music singer