ORNS has been a part of the Oak Ridge community since 1945. The school was started by a group of parents at the height of the Manhattan Project during World War II, and it is still owned and operated by parents of enrolled children. It began as the Grove Nursery School and became the Oak Ridge Nursery School Association after incorporation in 1952.  In recognition of our historical significance in the community, the school was awarded the Oak Ridge Historic Preservation Award in 2005.  We are located at 151 Robertsville Road in Oak Ridge, Tennessee [map].

ORNS is a cooperative, with parents contributing to the design, operation, and maintenance of the program. To that end, all families are encouraged to participate in board meetings, classroom activities, and extracurricular events. In addition, to foster parent involvement and to ensure the continued upkeep of our school, each family is required to perform 24 hours of service per year (6 hours per quarter) or pay an equivalent maintenance fee. The cooperative involvement of parents benefits the children and the school, and it helps to build a long-standing community.

The day-to-day operation of the school is managed by the Director, who oversees the staff. The Board of Directors, elected by and composed of parents of the school, provides the action plan designed to meet the educational, operational, and fiscal responsibilities of the school.