A decade after a group of local residents and families came together to keep education alive in Old Town, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Royal Oak Community School is celebrating 10 years of hands-on, values-driven learning for children across Niagara.
To mark the milestone, the school is hosting a “Decade in Bloom” celebration on July 3 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Shaw Festival Spiegeltent. The event is open to the community and will feature student art, alumni stories, local food and a reflection on the school’s journey.
“It’s a cocktail party event for all of our supporters, families, anyone in the community,” said head of school Julia Murray.
On June 12, Wes Ridesic, the first junior kindergarten student to attend the school, graduated from Grade 8, having completed his entire education at the school.
Murray said she remembers Ridesic’s first day — a little junior kindergarten student with a big backpack walking through the doors on opening day.
“I have a picture of him: Tiny, (with) big, huge eyes,” she said.
“He’s spent his entire school career with us at Royal Oak,” she said. “I can’t imagine the school without him, actually.”
Watching him grow into a curious, kind leader in his community has been special, she said.
“It’s the first time we’ve seen a child go through our entire program, start to finish,” she said. “It’s a really good demonstration of how powerful the schooling can be.”
Parent Patricia Brick says her son’s experience also speaks to the school’s impact.
“Royal Oak has been truly transformative for our son,” said Brick in an email. “We’ve watched him grow in confidence, curiosity and kindness — thanks to the incredible team at Royal Oak.”
She said the school’s nurturing environment, inclusive values and strong sense of community have changed how her son views school — now seeing it, “not as something to get through, but as a place where he feels seen, inspired and excited to belong.”
Royal Oak is a non-profit, independent school created by and for the community, said Murray.
What began as a grassroots vision in 2015 — after the District School Board of Niagara closed Parliament Oak School and later sold the site in 2018 to a developer for about $4.9 million — has grown into a spot serving 65 children from preschool to Grade 8.
With experienced, well-trained staff averaging 10 years of teaching experience, the school’s approach blends classroom learning with strong community connections, including outdoor education and partnerships with the Shaw Festival, Niagara Parks and local businesses, she said.
“We want kids to know that their learning is relevant outside of the classroom walls and that they’re learning in a really special place,” said Murray.
The school is known for its close-knit community and strong relationships between staff, students and families, Murray added, along with its commitment to individualized learning and small classes with plenty of support.
The impact of that approach is clear in how students respond every day, she said.
“It shows — in students’ engagement and their love for coming to school, but also in the progress they make over the course of a year,” she said.
