HISTORY OF OAK RIDGE SCHOOL

Oak Ridge School began as School "I", a part of four new open-concept elementary and two middle schools built in Leon County during 1969.

The work began on the 21.8-acre site which is in the approximate center of a triangle formed by Highway 369on the west, by Highway 319 on the east and by the truck route on the south. The entrance from either of the three sides was unpaved until after school opened in September 1969.

In September 19O7 these roads leading to Oak Ridge had been hard-surfaced and grass banked.

Architects Robert H. Maybin and Warren A. Dixon designed Oak Ridge School as an open concept building with six large learning areas, a cafetorium, and a multipurpose room surrounding a media center. An office suite faces the front street.

As no principal had been assigned to School, Mabel Jean Morrison, Director of Elementary Educations began hiring teachers in the spring of 1969.

In August 1969, Mr. Floyd Davis, who had been appointed

principal of School "G" took on the added responsibility

of principle of School "C" for the 1969-70 school year.

School "G" was not to be completed for several months, therefore, the sixth and seventh grades from School "G"were housed at School "C". -

The incomplete school opened in September 1969, without instructional materials or furniture. For the first two weeks of pre-school, the staff met in the music room of Rickard's High School to improvise all the instructional aids that could be made. Each teacher shared her ideas and materials. In doing this the staff was drawn together as a close working unit.

The day school began. The learning centers were devoid of furniture. Workmen were everywhere. Seven portable classrooms were constructed behind the school-to absorb the overflow of two hundred ninety-one seventh graders. Two hundred ninety-one sixth graders and three hundred, forty-two students in kindergarten through the fifth grade were housed in the main building. This made a total enrollment of 924.

In the school year 1970-71 the enrollment rose to six hundred, two in K-5. The school year 1971-72 the enrollment climbed to six hundred fifty-two.

School "C" began with a shared principal, a part-time curriculum coordinator, eighteen people on the staff, and an office secretary. Despite the crowded conditions and the wide range ages of the students, the two schools shared their strengths and worked cooperatively.

 

School "C" received the name of Oak Ridge Elementary School in the spring of 1970. This name seemed to be the appropriate because of the oak trees surrounding the campus.

In 1970, Mr. Charles Couch was appointed Oak Ridge Elementary School. In September,

the school opened as a K-5 school with a staff of six teachers, a full time curriculum coordinator, art teacher, a part time speech teacher and a development specialist. The team gained momentum, fully utilizing the carpeted, air-conditioned, space plant, which is conducive to innovation teaching and learning.

In the fall of 1970, organizations at Oak Ridge Elementary were an interested PTA, school patrol scouts. The fees and monies brought in from a spring festival helped to finance the above activities.

The Parent-Teacher Auxiliary helped to finance field trips, beautify the school, as well as supply funds for miscellaneous and necessary expenses.

 

During the summer of 1971, the entire school was re-carpeted. The walls inside and exterior woodwork were repainted. The 1971-72 year began with a sparkling school well equipped to handle the six hundred, fifty-two students enrolled at Oak Ridge Elementary School.