Why We Give

Tracy and Mark

Bellomo Warshaw Family

“Supporting Oak Grove is easily a priority for us because we have witnessed first hand its impact on our son, his classmates, and the student body; on personal development and critical thinking; on self-confidence, patience, and understanding.”

When we first began searching for a school for our young son, Easton, nearly a decade ago we were looking for a place that valued more than ABCs. A learning environment that nurtured creativity, curiosity, and connection with the natural world. A school that recognized each unique child in the collective whole. A safe place to thrive in knowledge and learning.

We found an overwhelming sense of wonder and peace among the oak trees. Our first year on campus, we would always say that we wished we had gone to school here. It’s something we hear echoed in conversation with other parents, as well. How might it have changed our lives? How might we have grown? What might we have understood about ourselves and the world we live in, had we experienced the influence of such a thoughtful, inquisitive, educational environment as children?

Supporting Oak Grove is easily a priority for us because we have witnessed first hand its impact on our son, his classmates, and the student body; on personal development and critical thinking; on self-confidence, patience, and understanding. Our experience here feels like more than we had hoped for. And more hope for all of us, as our children grow inward and outward into the world as active participants.

In a climate that feels increasingly divided and uncertain, a school like Oak Grove feels more important than ever. Our children are prepared with more than academic knowledge, but also the confidence, resilience, and compassion needed to navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie beyond the shade of these trees.

Easton is now in 8th grade, and we realize how silly it was to lament that we didn’t get to go here, because we do! This experience is all of ours. We are wildly grateful to have partnered with this special group of teachers, parents and caregivers in our shared learning.

It’s our privilege to invest in the value of Oak Grove. We believe in its impact beyond the years of life we’re all navigating together.

We cherish it with love and gratitude.

Tracy Bellomo and Mark Warshaw

Recent Blog Posts:

Transitions to Many Things

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From the Head of School The culmination of the school year is fast approaching which signals transition to many things—the completion of a grade, the advancement from one program to the next, the excitement of an Ojai summer and time with…
parents are integral to the school

The Parents of the School

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Observing a pair of California Scrub Jays through binoculars with students and parents in the quiet early hour before school begins... Witnessing the Pavilion transform into the Pale of Settlement of Imperial Russia of 1905... Discovering…

Music and the Arts

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Both our 1st-4th grade and 5th-8th grade spring concerts have been a blast in the past two weeks. On Friday, May 17, we will host our High School Spring Showcase. The philosophy guiding our music program is consistent with our general approach…