Matt Burgy, Head of School

December 13, 2024

Dear Oakridge Family,

Weekly, I intend to use this message not only to disseminate information but also to allow the mind of whoever might be reading it to get a glimpse into what goes on inside our walls. I’m often asked, “Why do we need to fundraise when we pay tuition?” This is an excellent question and one that I enjoy addressing when asked. Independent schools like Oakridge support programming through four general sources of revenue- Tuition, Fundraising, Endowment Income, and Auxiliary Revenue. You can think of that financial model as similar to how you think about your finances. Tuition and auxiliary revenue (like extended care, field rentals, and summer camp) are your checking account, paying your everyday bills. Fundraising is your savings account, helping to bridge the gap when your regular income doesn’t cover the costs or you want to enhance your life. Endowment is your retirement account, building a nest egg to support your life beyond your income-gathering years. Today, I want to address fundraising and encourage you to promote and participate in our BMW raffle.

Tuition provides the foundation for the exceptional education offered at The Oakridge School, covering the majority of operational costs, including faculty salaries, basic facilities and their upkeep, and essential programming. However, more than tuition is needed to cover the full cost of running and growing a dynamic, independent school. It takes our village and the greater community, to meet our lofty goals of constantly improving the Oakridge experience.

Here’s why fundraising is crucial:

Enhancing the Student Experience:
Fundraising enables us to go beyond the basics, providing resources that create exceptional opportunities for our students—forward-thinking technology, upgraded grounds and facilities, innovative programming, and enriched extracurricular offerings. You have undoubtedly seen drastic changes, specifically with campus security. One major upgrade to our campus this summer was a new Public Address System, which will soon integrate with our Raptor Alert System for security. 

Keeping Tuition Accessible:
If we relied solely on tuition to cover every expense, the cost of attendance would be significantly higher. Fundraising helps bridge this gap so Oakridge can remain accessible to a range of families while maintaining our high standards of excellence.

Supporting Strategic Growth:
Fundraising allows us to dream big and plan for the future; with your help, we can continue to innovate and inspire without compromising the quality of today’s education. We recently completed a major undertaking: a Facilities Condition Assessment, the first step in achieving our Campus Master Plan. This will lead us further into revamping our Strategic Plan, which paves the way toward a bright future at Oakridge.

Strengthening Community:
Fundraising events, like our raffles or annual campaigns, bring our community together for a shared purpose: ensuring the success of every Oakridge student and supporting the Oakridge mission.

In essence, fundraising is about partnership. Together, tuition and philanthropy enable us to fulfill our mission of inspiring and educating students to reach their full potential in academics, the arts, and athletics.

Once again, we have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of our students. We are incredibly thankful to Mo Saleh, a fellow Oakridge parent who has been deeply involved in our community for many years. Mo’s commitment to Oakridge is evident in his generosity and dedication as a parent of two Owls: Nadia, a current senior, and Laila, an alumna from the Class of 2021. His longstanding support is a testament to his belief in the Oakridge mission.

Thanks to Mo Saleh and BMW of Arlington, we are raffling off a 24-month lease on a 2025 BMW X5, with the added flexibility to upgrade if desired. This isn’t just about winning a luxury ride; it’s about investing in the future of our students. Every raffle ticket purchased directly supports The Oakridge School, providing essential funds to enhance and improve the student experience. From upgraded facilities to innovative programming, your participation helps us continue to deliver the exceptional education we’re known for.

Let’s unite as a community, make this raffle a huge success, and show our appreciation for BMW of Arlington and Mo Saleh for their generous partnership.

Good luck, and thank you for supporting The Oakridge School!

Warmly,

Matt Burgy

Head of School