Matt Burgy, Head of School

Dear Oakridge Family,

If you haven’t noticed, I start every message this way…Oakridge Family, and it means more today than it did yesterday, at least to me. While I have only been here for 4 years, the “family” environment at Oakridge is one that is dear to my heart. It is the differentiator between us and the rest. Trust me, I’ve been elsewhere. I’ve been at “elite” schools where reputation matters more than substance. I’ve been at struggling schools where keeping the lights on is a priority. But Oakridge is different.  There are many good schools out there, but Oakridge has a unique earnestness that you simply can not find anywhere else. Is it a perfect place? Certainly not, but I’ve never met a place that is. But, make no mistake, there is a magic that exists here that no other place I have seen can offer. And it starts with that word, “family.” 

Oakridge’s history is one that comes from humble beginnings. Our founding families, many of whom still send children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to our wonderful school, bootstrapped our school to become the success that it is today. Together, they built a school and in the process became a family. That level of dedication, resilience, and pure willingness to build a great school has set the foundation for what we, as the next generation of Owls. We stand on the shoulders of those giants, and it is our duty to care for what they toiled for. 

I say this all to say that we lost an Owl yesterday, one that bled blue and green. Lanzce King Sr. was more than a parent at Oakridge. He was more than a coach at Oakridge. He was more than a constant substitute at Oakridge. He was, and remains, an inspiration to us. There was not a day that went by that Lanzce was not at Oakridge. He did everything he could to be on campus. Every. Single. Day. He would pass by students in the hallway, not knowing exactly who they were, and ask them what their goals and dreams were. Then, he would set out to help them achieve them. He would remember every student he talked to, every player he coached, and every colleague he came in contact with. Lanzce King set out to make an impact in this world, and that is an example we should all strive to emulate. If I think back to what the founding faculty of our school wanted for Oakridge, Lanzce would have been at the top of the list of people they would want to see here. He knew children, he loved children, and he challenged them to be the best versions of themselves. His impact on the Oakridge community will be felt for years to come.

It is time for us to come together as an Oakridge Family and wrap the Kings in our loving arms to support and care for them. 

With Profound Gratitude, 

Matt Burgy
Head of School