Matt Burgy, Head of School
March 8, 2024
Dear Oakridge Family,
Our school celebrated an important accomplishment this week: our 45th Birthday! On March 6, 1979, a group of parents from the White Lake School gathered and set forth a vision for a successful, independent college preparatory school serving children from east Fort Worth, Arlington, and the surrounding areas. Many of those founding families are still a significant part of our school, and we celebrated their visionary efforts with our first-ever Founders’ Day this year, a new annual tradition for our school. As we approach Spring Break, it seems like the perfect time to reflect on the journey we have embarked upon together and the many milestones we have achieved.
Founders’ Day is not just a celebration of Oakridge’s inception; it’s a celebration of the vision, dedication, and unwavering commitment of those who laid the foundation on which we stand today. It’s a time to honor the legacy of our founders, whose foresight and determination continue to inspire us to strive for excellence in all we do.
Our school’s history comes from humble beginnings. Our first home was in the Handley United Methodist Church, and on March 17, 1979, a speech by Charlie Butts was made to implore their Board to allow The Oakridge School to open its doors the subsequent fall in a rented space at the church. In the speech, Mr. Butts said, “Now, while we are talking about the kind of school we will be, I want to stress one point. We will not be a school that will be exclusive- but one that is exceptional.” That statement made 45 years ago set us on a course to become a school that has received national recognition as one of the top independent schools in the DFW metroplex and the Southwest.
As we transition from the celebration of our founding into Spring Break, let us also embrace the spirit of renewal and rejuvenation that comes with the changing seasons. Spring Break offers us an opportunity to pause, reflect, and recharge our energies, ready to embark on the next phase of our journey with vigor and enthusiasm. I hope each of you is able to nourish your minds and spirits as we race off to the end of the school year!
Warmly,
Matt Burgy
Head of School
