Founders Bios

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Oak City Academy (OCA) was co-founded by Danny and Kari Breed out of a passion for kids to love learning alongside a desire to make exceptional education accessible to students from under-resourced communities.  The scholarship fund was born out of this heartbeat. OCA also serves families from the homeschool community and high income community which creates an economically, geographically, racially, and ethnically rich educational environment. 

 

In 2009, Oak City Academy was incorporated and a Board of Directors was formed. In 2010 OCA received its 501c3 status and created the foundational structures for the school and the curriculum. God answered many prayers along the way, including providing $70,000 in the first week of July, 2011, which provided the startup capital to begin the school. In the Fall of 2011, Oak City Academy opened its doors with 11 students, one teacher, and one assistant. As more students enrolled, a phenomenal teaching team expanded the staff even further.  After years of being limited in growth by building capacity, the Lord provided the funding for a building campaign in 2021, and in Fall 2023 OCA completed their building project and moved into their very own campus at 1100 Benson Road in Garner.  Between their Full Time and Blended/Homeschool Program OCA is a 2 campus school. Today, the OCA leadership consists of its Co-Founders, Board of Directors, Admissions Board, Executive Team, Administrative Staff, Teaching Team, Enrichment and Elective teachers, and hundreds of supportive parents and families. 

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With his BA in Administration, MDIV in Christian Studies, and currently pursing his Master's Degree in "Classical Education Thought," OCA's Head of School and CEO, Danny Breed, brings organizational leadership, a love for Classical learning, and a passion for God's heart to be integrated into the curriculum.  After reading the book "Traction," by Gino Wickman, Danny led the school through an organizational overhaul in 2015 helping the staff and Board of Directors articulate OCA's core values and passion. Danny also spearheaded OCA's Entrepreneurship focus through launching our Boss Club curriculum in OCA's Middle School Program. Danny's strong, consistent, faithful, and peaceful leadership has always been the glue that holds OCA together. 

 

Kari Breed, OCA's  CVO (Chief Visionary Officer), holds her BS in Early Childhood & English, an AMS (American Montessori Society) certification, and 50 hours toward her MDIV degree in Women's Studies from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Kari continually holds OCA's "Core Values" before us which contributes to the strong culture of OCA. Kari has been instrumental in casting vision for OCA's continued expansion and worked alongside our architects to design OCA's new buildings and campus.  Kari also brings her marketing and admissions expertise to OCA while blazing a unique model of curriculum bringing together the Montessori Method with Classical Education.

 

Danny and Kari have both been key in developing and implementing OCA's Christian Character Development Programs at OCA through the years. OCA now incorporates "The Generous Classroom" curriculum which teaches a lifestyle of giving and gratitude to help students overcome challenges and transform their lives. 

 

Welcome to Oak City Academy! We are hopeful that our story would join with yours, creating a beautiful new story for your child and family!