One year ago, we launched Rooted & Rising to meet the emerging needs of students today while securing a strong future for The Oaks Academy. From the beginning, we knew this campaign wouldn’t be about one person or one moment. It would be about all of us, rooted together in a shared belief in what education can be, and rising together to make it possible.

Today, we are thrilled to celebrate the success of this effort. Together, our community has raised more than $27 million to support our mission. It is remarkable to note the way it came together.

This campaign was never just about a number. It was about seeing and meeting a need, just as a small group of founders of The Oaks did 27 years ago when they stepped forward with a vision for something different. Rooted & Rising honored that legacy, and our community met the needs once again. From longtime donors and alumni families to new friends and supporters across the city, every gift mattered. Every word of encouragement and every act of generosity brought us to this point.

We saw that spirit of generosity during The 1 Million Minutes Challenge, where families, students, and supporters came together around tech-free play and supporting our school. That joyful, collective effort captured exactly what Rooted & Rising is about: showing up, giving what we can, and believing in what’s possible when we do it together.

Throughout the year, we heard stories from parents and grandparents, alumni and teachers, reminding us that The Oaks isn’t just a school. It’s a place where children become more: more confident, more curious, more rooted in faith and habits that shape their lives. This campaign was a commitment to enduring transformation and the accessibility and excellence that make it possible for every student.

In the months ahead, we look forward to sharing the many ways Rooted & Rising — visible and invisible — will enhance the student experience. But for today, we want to say thank you.

Thank you for believing in this mission. Thank you for giving what you could. Thank you for helping us rise.

The future is bright at The Oaks — and it’s all because of you.