Dr. Amy Alsip, Head of Upper School

August 21, 2026

Dear Upper School Families,

It has been an absolute joy to welcome our Upper School Owls back to campus this week. Our first few days have been wonderful! We kicked off our school year with our Senior Sunrise tradition this past Tuesday morning for the Class of 2027. It is the first of our many Senior traditions that take place here at Oakridge.

IMAGE

Please review the important information below:

• Schedules: To view your child’s class schedule for the 2026-27 school year, please log in to your “My Oakridge” parent portal.    
• Uniforms: School Uniform Store- As a reminder hoodies are not allowed Monday-Thursday. There are several approved outerwear items that have been “grandfathered” in as well as new items for sale in Owls’ Landing. Outerwear must meet the following requirements:
  • No hood- Crewnecks only
  • Navy, White, Gray or Kelly Green only- solid color (no stripes or color block)
  • Branded with Oakridge, Owls, or an O (no other words allowed)
  • No specific school groups associated (cheer, choir, sports, etc.) These items are allowed on Friday Spirit Days only.
• New Lunch Vendor: Lunch Account Information- Please make sure you have created your child’s Yay account with a payment method and shared their cafe ID number with them. It is important to preorder meals for the week by Sunday at noon to ensure Yay is prepared for the week. 
• Bell Schedule: Upper School Bell schedule- You can click the link to view our US daily bell schedule.
• A/B Calendar: Upper School A/B calendar- You can click the link to view our US A/B calendar.
• Parking: Students may purchase a parking pass via the portal and then see Mrs. Blake in the US office to be assigned a parking spot and hang tag. Students are not permitted to return to their vehicles during the school day.
• US Start Time: US classes begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. 
• Lockers: Students may request a locker in the US office with Mrs. Blake.
• Family Handbook: Please click here to reference the 26-27 Family Handbook. You can find all details pertaining to Upper School including dress code, academic information, and much more.

Ring and Pin: 

One of Oakridge’s most beloved traditions is just around the corner. On Wednesday, October 7, our Seniors will receive their Oakridge pin, a symbol of their leadership in the Upper School, and our Juniors will receive their class rings, marking their step into upperclassman life. It is always a special moment to pause and honor the journey these students are on together.

Rings

• Juniors who ordered rings through Jostens will have them delivered to the school.
• If your student has a ring from another source, please send it to the Upper School office before the ceremony so it may be included.

Ceremony Details

• Time: 1:30 p.m.
• Location: Fine Arts Performance Hall
• Parents are invited to attend!

Dress Code

• All Seniors: Dressy attire is required (jackets, ties, and appropriate dresses that fall in the Oakridge dress code).
• Juniors receiving rings: Dressy attire is required (jackets, ties, and appropriate dresses that fall in the Oakridge dress code).
• Juniors not receiving rings: Dressy attire is optional.

Please let us know if you have questions regarding this special event.

Senior Portraits

All Seniors will have their portraits taken on Friday, September 4 or Friday, October 30 in the Fine Arts Foyer and Quad for their yearbook photo. Portraits may be purchased, but this is optional. These portraits will be used for our yearbook and it is required that they be taken. There is a casual and a formal portrait taken of each of our seniors.Please click this link to sign up. 

Senior Timeline

Senior Year is full of exciting events and Mrs. Lewis has put all the important dates together for you in one convenient place. Please click this link to the senior timeline graphic to access the Senior Timeline for the Class of 2027. If you have not picked up your Class of 2027 yard sign, you can have your child pick one up in the College Advising office. 

Class Trips

Washington DC for 9th and 10th Graders:

The DC trip is officially on the horizon, but we are down to the wire! We have a final few spots left to hit our 30-student goal and lock this trip down. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to join, here it is! You won't want to miss:

• The Georgetown Vibe: Time to explore, shop, and hit the best food spots in the city with your friends.
• The Night Tour: Seeing the monuments glowing under the lights—the views (and the photos) are actually amazing.
• The Experience: This is a huge opportunity to see the Capitol with your friends.

We would love to have you there to make this trip complete! Once these spots are filled, we’ll be closing registration to finalize the details. Register here: Washington DC Trip

Florida Keys for 11th and 12th graders:

Travel is a powerful tool for adolescent development.This experience is designed to foster independence, curiosity, and a deeper connection to the natural world. It is an opportunity for students to apply their classroom knowledge in a real-world setting while building lasting memories with their peers.This trip promises to be a highlight of the year, offering students hands-on experiences in marine science, conservation, and team building in one of the most unique ecosystems in the world. Click HERE to register. Use Trip ID 38342601

For Questions about Registration or Payment: Call Nations Classroom at 877-270-1776

Thank you for sharing your children with us. On behalf of the Upper School Faculty, we are so blessed to get to work with such amazing young people and are looking forward to the best year yet!

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us.

All my best, 

Dr. Amy Alsip
Head of Upper School