Richard Connell

Parent of Ben Connell ’20

• A Place That Sees the Individual
  “Before Oxford, Ben was bright and capable, but traditional schools just didn’t know how to reach him. Oxford didn’t try to make him fit a mold — they met him where he was, saw who he could become, and walked with him every step of the way.”
• The Power of One-to-One
  “That one-to-one model isn’t just about academics — it’s about relationship. Ben’s teachers knew how he thought, what sparked his interest, and how to challenge him without losing him. That changed everything.”
• Confidence, Not Just Competence
  “By the time he graduated, Ben wasn’t just getting better grades — he believed in himself. He walked taller, spoke with purpose, and had a sense of who he was. That growth wasn’t accidental. It was Oxford.”
• Why I Joined the Board
  “I saw what Oxford did for my son, and I knew I wanted to help make that same transformation possible for other boys and other families. Serving on the Board is my way of paying it forward.”
• Success Beyond the Academy
  “Ben’s now thriving — professionally, socially, personally. And I credit Oxford for laying that foundation. They didn’t just prepare him for college — they prepared him for life.”
• An Education Built on Relationships
  “The Oxford difference isn’t a brochure line — it’s real. It’s small by design. It’s personal by necessity. And it works.”

Dear Friends,

When my wife and I first discovered The Oxford Academy, we were searching — not just for a school, but for a place that would understand our son, Ben. Traditional environments weren’t working for him. He needed something different. What we found at Oxford wasn’t just different — it was transformative.

It’s easy to describe Oxford as a one-to-one school, and that feature certainly made a profound difference in Ben’s academic life. But Oxford is so much more than that. What truly sets it apart is the way it blends individualized instruction with real, meaningful opportunities for collaboration, group work, and community engagement. Ben wasn’t isolated; he was deeply connected — to his teachers, his peers, and to a larger mission of growth and purpose.

At Oxford, Ben learned how to study effectively, yes — but more importantly, he learned how to think for himself, how to listen, how to lead, and how to show up for others. He gained the confidence to raise his hand, to try, to fail, and to try again. He went from being a student who struggled to one who believed in his own potential.

Today, Ben is thriving. He’s built a successful career, grown as a young man, and continues to carry with him the lessons and values instilled at Oxford. Watching his transformation was one of the most profound experiences of my life as a parent. That’s why I chose to join the Board — because I wanted to help ensure that other boys, like Ben, have the same chance to discover what they’re capable of.

Oxford doesn’t just prepare students for college. It prepares them for life. That’s the Oxford difference — and I’m honored to be part of it