With Gratitude to Dr. Mary T. Ortiz

“Mary came to Oakcrest at a time when there were big dreams for Oakcrest,” Interim Head of School Mrs. Christie Keuchel said in her remarks thanking Dr. Ortiz. “The dream of a permanent campus and the dream of many more girls and families coming to Oakcrest… Mary believed the dream to grow Oakcrest was possible. She knew that Oakcrest is so very needed in this world of ours and she knew that through prayer and with God and our hard work, anything is possible.” 

Dr. Ortiz served at Oakcrest School for fourteen years, first as Assistant Head of School, and then as Head of School starting in 2012. Within her tenure, Dr. Ortiz oversaw the move from the McLean campus to the school’s permanent campus in Vienna, as well as a significant growth in enrollment. In Dr. Ortiz’s last year as Head of School, the school completed the new McGowan Family Athletic Center which includes additional classrooms, a fitness center, and a gym. 

Elaine-Rebecca E. ‘24, Oakcrest Student Body President, also shared a few words thanking Dr. Ortiz for her dedication to knowing each of the students as individuals. “From standing at the door and greeting everyone every morning, to giving M&M’s to 6th graders when they visited her in her office, Ms. Ortiz made an impact in all of our lives,” she said. “She took the time to truly know all the girls, and really took an interest in our lives.” 

An English teacher at heart, Dr. Ortiz established the annual O’Donovan Humanities Lecture, inviting scholars to share their love of the humanities with the Oakcrest community and also met with parents on a monthly basis for “Coffee with the Head” where she shared talks on various issues such as virtue, education, and raising children. 

“Mary is known for her kindness and compassion,” President of the Board of Directors Michele Bueno ‘99 said. “She expresses genuine care for all people she meets, seeing them first as children of God. She remembers all those who have confided their struggles in her and undoubtedly prays for them daily. She truly exemplifies the feminine genius, which Oakcrest forms all her students to recognize and cultivate in themselves.” 

With true gratitude, the Oakcrest community thanks Dr. Mary T. Ortiz for her service as Head of School and wishes her the very best in her future endeavors.