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Matt Burgy, Head of School


August 15, 2025

Dear Oakridge Family,

I am excited to share a significant milestone from the first phase of our new Strategic Plan: a renewed mission statement for our school. After many months of thoughtful and extensive work, we are thrilled to present our updated mission.

Our new mission statement is: The Oakridge School is an independent, college preparatory school that inspires students to seek their potential through academic excellence, enriched by the arts and athletics. Our community nurtures and challenges each student on a unique journey while fostering character, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning.

Our Commitment to Each Student's Unique Journey

Our community’s feedback made it clear that while our core values remain the same, our mission needed to better reflect our commitment to a personalized approach. The heart of our new mission is our pledge to support each student's development. It recognizes that every student who walks through our doors is on a different path, with their own strengths, passions, and dreams.

To support this journey, our mission highlights a few key areas:

  • A solid foundation: By explicitly defining ourselves as an independent, college preparatory school, we are affirming a dual commitment to your child's education. Our independence means we have the freedom to design a dynamic curriculum and a mission that is free from outside mandates, allowing us to adapt to the evolving needs of our students. This autonomy is what enables us to truly focus on preparing the student on the path, rather than prepare the path for the student.

Our college preparatory designation signifies a rigorous and comprehensive approach to academics. We provide the demanding coursework, extensive college counseling, and skill development necessary to prepare students for higher education. This isn't just about getting them into college; it's about equipping them with the academic foundation, critical thinking skills, and intellectual curiosity to succeed on their individual path, leading them to a more fulfilling career.

  • Inspiring Potential Through a Unified Experience: Our mission states that we "inspire students to seek their potential through academic excellence, enriched by the arts and athletics." This intentional shift emphasizes that these aren't separate activities to be balanced, but vital parts of a single, integrated experience. The arts and athletics provide a rich toolkit for students to discover their passions, build confidence, and develop the whole self, which is essential for their unique journey.
     
  • A Focus on Skills for a Lifetime- Our mission clearly defines the qualities we cultivate in our students to prepare them for the future. Our community nurtures and challenges each student on their unique journey, believing that a child must feel supported and known before they can be effectively challenged to grow.


How These Skills Build a "Future-Ready" Student

  • Character: The focus on character goes beyond a single trait; it's about developing the inner strength and integrity to make sound decisions and contribute positively to society. This foundation is what allows a student to navigate complex ethical situations and be a compassionate leader.
  • Confidence: This is the self-assurance that comes from a supportive environment. The school aims to equip students with the belief in their own abilities to take on new challenges, adapt to new situations, and bounce back from setbacks. Confidence is what empowers them to think innovatively and lead others.
  • A Lifelong Love of Learning: This skill ensures students remain curious and adaptable long after they leave Oakridge. In a constantly changing world, the ability to learn continuously is crucial. Fostering this passion ensures students will always be ready to acquire new knowledge and skills, regardless of their chosen path.

These qualities—character, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning—are the tools students will need to thrive, solve problems, and contribute meaningfully to the world.

This renewed mission opens up incredible possibilities for building character and preparing our students to be innovative thinkers and compassionate leaders, skills that are becoming increasingly necessary in an ever-changing world. We are incredibly excited about this new chapter in The Oakridge School's 47-year history!

Now that this initial phase of strategic planning is complete, we will begin the next phase: evaluating how to strategically bring this mission to life. Your input will be essential to creating a bold future that supports every unique journey at our school.

I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow at the Back to School Bash!

Warmly,

Matt Burgy 

Head of School