Oak Lane Day School, now located in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, was founded in 1916 in Cheltenham Township, under the name Oak Lane Country Day School, by a group of parents and educators interested in the Progressive Education movement. Originally organized as a coeducational, non-sectarian, kindergarten through grade 12 school, Oak Lane evolved into a pre-kindergarten through grade 6 elementary school. Initially affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania as a "school of observation," Oak Lane was acquired in the 1930's by Temple University, which continued the school as part of its teacher training program, a relationship that would last until 1960. The ideal of individualized education to serve a diverse and inclusive student population has shaped Oak Lane to this day. Our teaching heritage includes a strong emphasis on the arts and music.

In 1960, no longer associated with Temple, Oak Lane was renamed and incorporated as an independent school by dedicated parents, faculty and staff at a leased building in Glenside, and moved to its present 30-acre site in Blue Blue (Broad Axe). It was determined in the 1980s to disband its junior high school program and to concentrate on providing a strong elementary education. However, due to current fluctuations of enrollment and the economy, Oak Lane will no longer be in operation as of June 2010. To learn more, click here.

John Ryan, Chair

William E. Lutz, Jr., Vice Chair

Faith Paulsen, Secretary

David Urbach, Treasurer

Amy Branch

Barry B. Cross, Jr.

Sharon Fichthorn

Trina Gable

Michael Goldberg '80

Stacey Jacobson, Parent Association Rep.

Judy Leigh, Faculty Rep.

Kimberlee Mander

Martha Platt, Faculty Rep.

Anthony Romano

James D. Samter

Yukio Tezuka

Oak Lane Day School's mission is to honor each child's unique individuality while fostering intellectual, creative, academic, and personal growth within a diverse community of active, engaged learners. The school's philosophy supports a dynamic, creative, and nurturing atmosphere that promotes intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development according to the needs of each individual child. Our work is based on these principles:

•  Children and childhood should be respected and honored.

•  Children possess unique gifts and differences that should be welcomed and celebrated.

•  Children's enthusiasm, prior knowledge, interests, and skills should be acknowledged and affirmed within the academic program.

•  Children should have the opportunity to build self-esteem through creative expression.

•  Children should have the opportunity to learn through meaningful discovery and to construct their own understanding.

•  Children should be prepared to appraise critically the many voices and the vast array of information available to them.

•  Children should be prepared to meet the challenges of change.

•  Children should learn in an environment that values the responsibilities and joys of membership in a community.

Oak Lane's history informs its current mission and program. The integrated, sequential curriculum is steadily refined, maintaining standards of excellence in the academic program. Throughout their years at Oak Lane, students develop skills, discover talents, form friendships, resolve conflicts, ask questions, and seek solutions. They are encouraged to take risks, learn from mistakes, and succeed in a safe and supportive environment. Students become confident readers, articulate speakers, and lucid writers. They build solid foundations in math and science, and develop an appreciation of other cultures.

In small classes, teachers work alongside students to meet individual needs. Learning takes place in a joyful environment where each person's contribution is valued. Oak Lane places a strong emphasis on the arts: visual, dramatic, performing, literary and musical. Our spacious campus offers natural areas for discovery and serves as an extension of the classrooms. Scientific explorations of the pond, stream, meadow, and fields introduce children to the cycles of the natural world. Community service is an important component of the school program, and serves to expand the natural horizons of our children.