Partnerships
At Oak Farm Montessori School, community partnerships are an integral part of the curriculum and our Vision and Values. These important collaborations heighten our students’ awareness of the world around them. They provide insight into the many different roles we all play in our world. Over the years we have developed strong partnerships with Common Grace, Merry Lea Environmental Center, Blue Heron Ministries, the Community Learning Center and Sacred Heart Nursing Home. These opportunities have proven to be mutually beneficial to both our students and the organization,
"At Common Grace Ministries, we recognize the importance of investing in our neighbors when they come to us for assistance. The stronger each person becomes, the stronger our community becomes. Investing in the students at OFMS is not only our pleasure, but yet another way we can invest in the future of our community. We are grateful for our partnership and look forward to many years of continued relationship with OFMS.” Angie Kidd, Executive Director Common Grace Ministries, Inc.
We also have a strong and committed partnership with the Dekko Foundation. Not only do 34% of our applicants receive financial assistance, but the $2 million plus grant given annually by the Dekko Foundation reduces the overall cost of every student's education. For over 20 years, OFMS has been fortunate to receive significant financial support from the Dekko Foundation. In a 2018 blog, they shared that this proactive type of grantmaking fulfills the mission of their founder, Chet Dekko, in creating economic freedom for the community they serve. “Oak Farm teaches young people to think critically and solve problems from a very young age. When you have an individual who can think and solve problems, you have a great basis for our foundation’s mission—economic freedom.”
This financial commitment from the Dekko Foundation allows our school to be free to follow the Montessori philosophy without relying on outside sources or influence. However, just like the students we serve, we are driven to become more independent each year. Over the course of the last 15 years we have reduced our financial dependency on grants and are now 60% independent!
To read more about the Dekko Foundation and their relationship with Oak Farm Montessori School, please follow this link.
If you are interested in learning more about partnering with our school please complete this simple questionnaire or contact Bridget York, Director of Curriculum and Student Services.