History of Oak Grove
Today's Oak Grove is really the third elementary school in this community. In 1888 students were educated in aone-room log building where the William P. Mounfeild home now stands just a half mile west of the present school. The school cost $300 to build and opened for the 1889-1890 school year. Fifty-one students attended under the instruction of Daniel Newton Eller.
In 1917 a new two-room school was built on a two acre site just up the road from the original log building. The cost to construct the second building was $3500. It providing learning experiences for students in grades one through seven. The first class to attend school in the new building had two teachers, Miss Mamie Meador and Miss May Garst. There were 64 students. It is located across from the Allstate Building on Keagy Road. This second building was used until 1942. The peak enrollment was in 1935-36 when 70 students attended. As the community grew, the children were transported to larger schools. The last classes in this building were held in 1942 and the building was sold to the Wertz family in 1944.
Built in 1917, the 2nd Oak Grove School was used until 1942. This photograph is of the students who attended in 1931. (picture provided by a friend of Oak Grove)
In 1959 the present Oak Grove Elementary School was opened with an enrollment of 583 students in grades one through seven. There were twenty teachers and one principal.
This photograph of the 2nd Oak Grove School was taken sometime before 1942. (picture provided by a friend of Oak Grove.)
Overcrowded conditions necessitated the addition of a new wing in 1964, making a total of 26 classrooms. Four years later a gymnasium with a permanent stage, office, lobby, restrooms and storage areas were added. In 1967 the seventh grade was moved to the junior high school. Five years later the sixth grade also moved and kindergarten was added. The position of part-time assistant principal was an addition to the administration in 1970.
In 1971 Oak Grove was one of the first elementary schools in the division to be accredited by the Southern Association. In that same year, Oak Grove was designated as as Physical Education Demonstration Center for the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Today, Oak Grove continues to serve as a demonstration center. Oak Grove has the distinction of having had the first learning disabilities program in Roanoke County. It began in 1973 as a pilot program under Title IV. In 1975 a guidance counselor was added to the staff. Oak Grove now has twelve resource teachers in addition to twenty-four classroom teachers and two administrators who serve over 500 students in grades kindergarten through five.
In 1978 the library was moved and enlarged, permitting the expansion of the reading center facilities located in the old library. Over the years changes in student population have occurred a result of annexation and attendance line variations. In 1981, Mt. Vernon Elementary school was closed and Oak grove received half of these Students. During the summer of 1995 air-conditioning was added and windows were enclosed to improve energy efficiency.
Awards and Accolades
In 1986, Oak grove was recognized as one of 210 outstanding elementary schools in the nation. The award was given by the U.S. Department of Education and by President Ronald Regan. This was the first national recognition of elementary schools. In 1991 Oak Grove received a state award for having PTA membership of 140% for ten years. In 1992 Oak Grove received an award for the highest PTA membership in Virginia.
In 1995 Mrs. Moles was chosen to receive Virginia's National Distinguished Principal award and was received by President Clinton at the white house. That same year our PTA was selected as Virginia's Outstanding PTA Unit in the Advocates for Children award and was recognized at the National PTA Convention, and their Resolution on Interactive Software Violence was submitted to and adopted by the National PTA.
Principals and Secretaries
Amazingly, in Oak Grove's first 40 years, there were only five principals and three secretaries at Oak Grove. Mrs. Yvoare Terrell served as secretary from 1959 until her retirement in 1980. Beverly Stroud served from 1980-1997. Carolyn LaVoie served from 1997-2000. The current secretary is Jackie Dullnig.
Oak Grove's first principal was Hadden Dudley. He served one year. In 1959, George O. Thompson became principal. Upon his retirement in 1981, Margaret S. Moles took the Helm. Mrs. Moles retired in 1996. Mary A. (Dee) Carswell served from 1996-1998. Mrs Becky Rowe served from 1999-2002 as principal at Oak Grove Elementary. Our current Principal is Mrs. Cris Flippen.
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| Mrs. Yvoare Terrel | Mr. Thompson | Mrs. Moles |
** Taken from When Past is a Prolouge-A History of Roanoke County by Dr. D. Kagey
All other pictures come from Oak Grove Yearbooks