Our Mission
Oakbrook Preparatory School is committed to delivering an Christ-centered, inter-denominational, college-preparatory education that nurtures the whole child - mind, body, and spirit.
As a community of scholars, we seek to encourage the unique talents and passions of each student, igniting curiosity and empowering growth in wisdom, character, and purpose. Through a rigorous curriculum rooted in truth, goodness, and beauty, we prepare students not merely for academic success, but for well-balanced lives of meaningful contribution and transformative service. At Oakbrook, we believe every child is wonderfully made in God's image, and we are devoted to cultivating graduates who will lead with gospel intentionality, integrity, and passion, making a lasting impact on the world.
Our Vision
Igniting Minds, Nurturing Hearts: Equipping Students to Lead With Purpose and Impact the World
The Oakbrook Story
Oakbrook began in 1992 with a large vision and a small school called the Village School founded by Rosemary Moore with 18 students in the basement of a church. Her vision was to create a cross-cultural school where children from various denominations were united by their willingness to work and to learn. The Village School began with the purpose of teaching children ideas that matter. Children are thinkers who thrive on a diet of challenging ideas and questions. This philosophical approach has worked for over one hundred years in England and forms one of the cornerstones of Oakbrook Preparatory School.
The curriculum is primarily influenced by the work of the great English educator Charlotte Mason, who established village schools in England at the turn of the century. Her academic emphasis was to put children in touch with nature and classics in literature, art, and music. She offered a classical, broad-based curriculum to all children, regardless of economic or social background. The children of farmers and shopkeepers were taught the same wide curriculum as the young lords in the manor.
When Mrs. Moore founded the school, she never intended for the school to continue beyond grade five. Due to the tremendous support and insistence from parents, it was decided that the Village School would become a true college preparatory school and continue through grade 12. Changing the structure of the school brought about a need to change the name of the school as well. The 2001-2002 school year was a year of transition. The Village School remained the name used for the preschool through fifth grade students, while the middle school students adopted the name Oakbrook. Beginning in August 2002, the name Oakbrook Preparatory School was adopted for all students in grades one through 12 at the main campus, and Oakbrook Preschool was adopted for K-4 through K-5 at the Covenant campus.
In 2005, six outstanding students became Oakbrook's first graduating class. The group averaged 1230 on their SAT's, received scholarship offers in excess of $150,000, and participated in independent study projects that kindled their imaginations and provided them with the motivation, leadership skills, and discipline to be successful in college and in life. Among them were a National Merit Scholar, A National Commended Scholar, and two Palmetto Scholarship recipients. Trips to Ireland, Charleston, or local retreats to Windy Gap and Awanita were other highlights of a year filled with enrichment opportunities. At the end of 2005, Oakbrook's founder, Rosemary Moore, retired and was given the honorary title of Director Emeritus.
Today Oakbrook continues to grow and thrive. Due to the generous support of school families and donors, the entire Oakbrook family is housed on a beautiful 33 acre campus on the west side of Spartanburg. Oakbrook alumni matriculate to top universities, play collegiate sports and serve in their communities. The core values of academic excellence, creativity, character, community and diversity guide Oakbrook Preparatory School's vision to be one of our nation's premier Christ-centered, college preparatory schools.
"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers."
Psalm 1:1-3
As a missional school, we believe that the development of a vibrant and authentic faith in God should be integral in a person’s education. In matters of faith, we seek to unite our students around the person of Jesus Christ and His message of love, hope and salvation.
We believe that each child can develop a healthy and joyful perspective by living a Christian life. Oakbrook families come from diverse backgrounds and church denominations. We offer a welcome to all who respectfully take part in our beliefs and practices. Our goal is to complement the work of the family by inspiring students to live and learn in a way that reflects these values.