WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE

In the 23 years since our founder, Lorene Dekko Salsbery, opened the doors of Oak Farm Montessori School, there have only been a few years that we have not had significant building expansions or construction. While this is exciting for our parents and community, it means that we are always growing; physically and strategically, as well as increasing the number of employees and families we serve. From a one room attract and serve families from all over the world, many found the locale of Avilla, Indiana too remote for such a venture. Fast forward to 2023 and her dream has become a reality. We are one of only two schools in the nation to be dual accredited, by the American Montessori Society (AMS) and the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS), that serve children from six weeks through 12th grade. With the completion of our fourth more than double the current size of the building and will include a full basement that, although not utilized initially, will provide room for growth as additional space is needed. Much thought was given to still provide the open spaces that the students enjoy to come together for socializing, playing instruments, enjoying refreshments and community meetings. Additional office spaces, a conference room and meeting areas will also be included. During the second schoolhouse serving nine students with three faculty, to a 150 acre sprawling campus with 360 students and 74 staff, OFMS continues to attract families from all across Northeast Indiana and beyond. Did you know that we have had families move from California, Virginia, and even Puerto Rico specifically to attend our school? When Lorene envisioned a premiere Montessori school that would upper elementary classroom this fall, we have concluded classroom additions to the lower levels; infants through upper elementary. The area of growth we are focused on now is our secondary program, middle and high school. Construction on the high school expansion will begin the week after school is finished and will continue through the 2023-24 school year. The first phase will phase of construction, in the summer of 2024, updates to the existing building will include transforming one of the smaller kitchens into a library and expanding the kitchen and dining hall to meet the needs of the larger student body. A third phase of construction has been proposed, but the timeline will be dependent on the growth and needs of the high school.