In 1977, O’Neal celebrated having its first graduating class. Twenty years later, O’Neal was excited to claim its first Morehead Scholar. The Morehead Scholarship, and later changed to Morehead-Cain Scholarship in 2007, is the first merit scholarship established in the United States at the first public university in the United States - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Among the largest and most competitive scholarship programs in the United States, the Morehead-Cain pays all expenses for four years of undergraduate study, including the cost of a laptop computer and four summer enrichment experiences.

When one looks back at this time of the year for O’Neal, they often remember food drives, the second grade Great Kapok Tree performance, the Parents Association Book Fair and Special Persons Day. Special Persons Day would often be the last day before Thanksgiving Break and many times, a half day. With focus on the Lower School, there is often a performance that includes all lower school grades and special persons are invited to attend. Afterwards, special persons join their host in their classroom for special activities as well as follow the normal class schedule. Refreshments are served. Some classes put on an extra performance, like the second grade Great Kapok Tree. Everyone gets to visit the book fair.

Among all of the perceptions of O’Neal, the one that never fades is its focus on academic excellence. Over the years, the School has had the opportunity to offer three consistent scholarships to rising upper school students, where two of them continue to endure.

Veterans Day, previously known as Armistice Day is a dedicated time to honor our active duty and veterans of the armed forces in appreciation for our freedom.  There was a time when O’Neal was in session on Veterans Day. It was seen as a great opportunity to invite other students to visit on campus whose schools were closed. Around 2010, the enrollment of military families started to increase.

If your spouse came home from an organizational meeting and told you that your house was offered up for a designer house showcase fundraiser to benefit said organization, what would you do? Curse into the wind or jump for joy?

Epic is a good word for Halloween at O’Neal. Creative juices flow with one-of-a-kind costumes, events and activities for all ages. There hasn’t been a time that O’Neal hasn’t celebrated Halloween, even the past two pandemic years.

“She was an angel for us,” remembers O’Neal’s founding Board Chairman Ted Taws. “She kept us alive in the early years.” He is referring to Elaine McAlpin Tate, whose three granddaughters and one great grandson are O’Neal graduates. Elaine Rockefeller McAlpin was born in 1905 in Manhattan, NY. She married Henry Clinch Tate in 1931. O’Neal’s Tate Gymnasium built in 1974 is named in memory of her late husband. Mrs. Tate gave to the School generously every year until her death at age 80 in February 1986. It was only a few months before her passing that O’Neal’s first lower school building was dedicated as the Elaine McAlpin Tate Educational Building at the School’s first Founders Day celebration on October 25, 1985. One can only assume that Founders Day in October was on account of the School moving from the Campbell House to its campus at this time.

What do dimes, chicken wings and pancakes have in common? Volleyball. The uniqueness of the volleyball language sets itself apart from the rest. The history of volleyball at O’Neal, particularly in the 1990s, is also in a league of its own. Volleyball was one of the first sports introduced at O’Neal with the earliest account in 1973 and the home games were played “under the pines”.

How does any type of educational institution serving young students function without the physical support of the parents? To the naked eye, it may not seem so necessary, but the role of a parents association cannot be overstated. In O’Neal’s 50 years, a parents association has served the School beginning in 1972, just one year after O’Neal opened its doors.

In the fall of 1971, Wallace O’Neal Day School opened. In the fall of 1972, O’Neal added athletics to the mix, with soccer and basketball. Originally serving students in grades 4-6, grades 7 & 8 were added for the 1972-1973 year. In the fall of 1973, the 9th grade was added. It is suspected that the 1973 year was the first year for a varsity soccer team.