ARLINGTON -- Though their commencement came later than initially planned, The Oakridge School’s Class of 2020 this summer received a warm celebration of their hard work and accomplishments. Because of COVID-19, the event traditionally held on-campus during the month of May, was rescheduled for July 25 and held at a larger venue off-campus. 

To minimize the risk of spreading the virus while adhering to safety recommendations, the event was kept private for the graduates and their immediate family only. A large ballroom allowed for social distancing and many in attendance wore face masks. Extended family members, faculty, staff, and other supporters were invited to watch the entire ceremony via livestream on the school’s Facebook and YouTube channels. 

“We now know that, despite hard times, we can always move forward, as we will today,” said Salutatorian Alita Whitaker, who will attend the University of Pittsburgh. 

One-hundred percent of our graduates are headed off to four-year colleges and universities from across the U.S. and abroad. In all, the 76 students were accepted by 159 institutions of higher education and offered nearly $12 million in merit scholarships. 

Director of Admissions Amy Wilson said the students’ resiliency and ability to excel, despite the challenges presented by COVID-19, exemplify what it means to be an Oakridge Owl. 

“Our students are equipped to succeed in a constantly evolving world. They are deeply critical thinkers and have been taught to embrace change by extraordinary educators. These young men and women also simply have a lot of perseverance and grit,” said Mrs. Wilson, whose own son, a Class of 2020 graduate, will attend the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. 

The livestream of the graduation, watch the entire recording here. The Oakridge School is currently enrolling students for on-campus and at-home learning in select grade levels for the 2020-2021 school year. Call (817) 451-4994 or visit www.theoakridgeschool.org/admissions for more information.