Matt Burgy, Head of School

Dear Oakridge Family,

Forty-seven years ago today, March 6, 1979, a group of families and educators set out with a simple but courageous vision; to create a school where students would be truly known, deeply challenged, and genuinely cared for. They were not trying to build the largest school or the most impressive campus. They were trying to build the right kind of community; a place grounded in relationships, purpose, and the belief that every child has something meaningful to contribute to the world.

What began as that bold idea has grown into the Oakridge we know today, a living, evolving community shaped by generations of students, families, faculty, and staff who have each left their mark on this school. And Oakridge has never stood still. Over the years, we have adapted alongside a changing world, expanding opportunities, embracing innovation, and reimagining how we prepare students for lives of meaning and impact.

I believe we are living in one of the most transformative moments education has ever faced. The ways students learn, the skills they will need, and the world they will inherit are changing rapidly. And Oakridge is not simply responding to that change. We are leading it. We are at the forefront of a revolutionary shift in education, educating the whole child and cultivating curiosity, character, and purpose. In this age of artificial intelligence, we are learning alongside our students, asking questions together, exploring new tools, and modeling curiosity, creativity, and ethical thinking. This shared journey ensures that technology amplifies what makes us human: empathy, judgment, imagination, and the drive to make a difference. As Mr. Broadus would say, “empathy never let anyone down.” These are traits that have been baked into our Oakridge DNA from its founding.

Ours is a community marked by authenticity. People show up here as themselves. We celebrate one another’s successes, support each other through challenges, and share a genuine commitment to helping every student discover their strengths and purpose. That spirit, real, caring, and deeply human is what makes Oakridge special.

Tomorrow evening, at our Super Supper and Auction, we will gather not only to celebrate, but to invest in that future together. The generosity and spirit of that evening will help fund new opportunities, support innovative programs, and ensure that Oakridge continues to pioneer what education can and should be for the next generation. 

Today, we honor those who dreamed courageously and built faithfully. And we celebrate all of you—because the story of Oakridge is still being written, and each of us plays a part in what comes next.

Thank you for being part of this genuine and remarkable community. Together, we honor our past, live fully in the present, and blaze a trail forward shaping the future of The Oakridge School and the lives of students for generations to come.

Warmly,

Matt Burgy
Head of School