As we wrap up our inaugural year at Oak Forest Academy, we find ourselves both grateful and energized by what we have built together.

Oak Forest Academy was created as a small, teacher-led school rooted in the belief that every student deserves to be seen, known and accepted as their full self. We believe that our oak forest provides an inestimable setting for adolescents to thrive, setting up a system where the students benefit the forest and the forest benefits the students. How are we doing? This is how one parent describes their child’s experience at OFA this year:

“Our son is a student at Oak Forest Academy, and within his first semester at the school it has become an incredibly important place for him and for our family. He is a curious, hard-working student who has excelled academically but often felt out of place at traditional schools. Oak Forest Academy allows him to follow his passions, make friends, be part of a meaningful community, spend time in nature, and learn at his own pace. In his first year at the school, we have seen growth in his academic ability, organizational skills and responsibility, self-advocacy skills, and life skills like woodworking and forestry. He has completed extensive research projects, given presentations, taken part in a variety of classes, built a shelter, helped make an outdoor classroom, eradicated buckthorn, and made beautiful woodworking projects. In addition, he has felt truly accepted, understood, and embraced by the community as well as developed a strong connection to the land. He is excited to go to school every day. We feel so lucky to have found such a wonderful school where he can learn, thrive, and belong!”

A student puts it more succinctly: “I like it because learning is fun.”

Ask yourself: is that a word many teenagers use to describe their school learning?

As we wrap up our first year and look forward to our second, we are looking for financial support to fulfill our goals. Our school is primarily funded by tuition, but we do seek donations in order to fill the gap. Because we are not backed by a large foundation or single donor, our work depends on a community of supporters who believe in what is possible for adolescents. It is the generosity of many who make it possible for students to learn and grow in an environment where they can truly thrive. Each gift plays a meaningful role in making this kind of learning environment possible. A place where every student can thrive and belong.

Our goal is to raise $25,000 by May 15th. Thanks to the generosity of legacy donors, the first $10,000 in gifts will be matched dollar for dollar, doubling the impact of every contribution.

Your gift today will help us:

Magnify our outreach and marketing efforts to meet our enrollment goals
Refine and enrich our indoor and outdoor learning environments
Invest in teacher development and essential administrative planning between school years
Provide Scholarship support to families who need it

When the school is fully grown, we anticipate operating on approximately 90% tuition and 10% donations. But in this early stage, we are bridging a larger gap to ensure we can fully implement our educational model, preserve and care for our forest, and meet the diverse needs of our students to fully deliver on our promise to our families. If you feel aligned with our mission, we invite you to be part of this next chapter. Every gift, especially during this matching period, moves us closer to a strong and sustainable second year.

Spring 2026 Fundraiser

Empowering OFA to realize our educational model and care for our forest