Matt Burgy, Head of School

September 5, 2025

Dear Oakridge Family,

What an amazing start we are off to! The first few weeks of school have been nothing short of outstanding in every sense of the word. And, if you missed it, we’ve released our Homecoming theme this year- “Oakridge- The Most Magical Place!” (If you’ve never been to an Oakridge Homecoming…get ready!)

I have been thinking quite a bit about what a magical experience means- to our faculty and staff, to our parents, but most importantly, to the children we serve. At Oakridge, we believe in the magic of transformation. Our mission is to be an independent, college-preparatory school that inspires our students to seek their potential through academic excellence, enriched by the arts and athletics. But we also know that college is not the final destination; it's just the next part of the adventure. The true goal of our work is to provide a transformational experience—a journey of discovery and growth that prepares our students for a world far more complex than any classroom. 

The world outside the white fence can be chaotic, but here, we strive to create a place of purpose. We focus on building character, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning. We believe that true magic lies not in tricks or illusions, but in the everyday moments that shape a young person's life: the "aha!" moments when a complex math problem clicks, the first time they score a goal, or the friendships they forge while playing on the playground. To me, that’s the magic of Oakridge- watching the metamorphosis unfold as a child stretches their mind, body, and soul to learn, fail, relearn, and ultimately succeed. Yes, that magic will have moments that don’t shine as brightly. There will be moments of doubt and moments of sheer joy. But, in the end, it will be moments that help build your child into the person they were meant to become. I can’t think of anything more magical than that.

Warmly,

Matt Burgy
Head of School