About Oasis
Our Story
A school dreamed up by parents, built for curious kids.
Since 2014
From a parent’s idea to a WASC-accredited school
In 2013, Tamara Hernandez, a mother of two, set out to create a trilingual, project-based elementary school where her children could learn Mandarin and Spanish while getting an excellent, well-rounded education. With six other passionate mothers, and her business partner Harry Ralston volunteering as CFO, the group set out to build that school.
Just eleven months later, in 2014, Oasis Trilingual Community School opened its doors to its first cohort of nine students, offering immersive Mandarin, Spanish and English instruction for native and novice speakers alike.
Milestones
- 2013Founder Tamara Hernandez and a group of parents begin planning a trilingual school.
- 2014Oasis opens in Temple City with nine students.
- 2019Oasis earns WASC accreditation, led by Program Director Clarke Sumner.
- 2022The school moves to its new campus in Monrovia, beneath the San Gabriel Mountains.
- 2023–25The middle school grows to a full 6th–8th grade program.
- TodayHead of School Joyce Hsiao leads a TK–8 program serving families from across Los Angeles County.
Our mission
Respectful, compassionate and resilient humans
Our vision has always been a nurturing, emotionally safe environment where children thrive creatively. Our approach goes beyond language acquisition to the holistic development of each child: academics, character, culture and joy.
Oasis is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, non-sectarian school and an equal opportunity employer. Today we are a beacon of educational innovation in the San Gabriel Valley, welcoming families from every corner of Los Angeles County.
Alumni
Where Oasis graduates go
Our students go on to a wide range of programs: private, charter and public schools, homeschool, and early college entrance programs. Hear from them in their own words.
In the news
Oasis in the press
- L.A. Parent MagazineCultivating Multilingualism in Your Children
- Monrovia NowOasis Trilingual Community School Opens in Monrovia
- L.A. ParentA School for Every Learner
- Pasadena NowRaise Multilingual Kids with Oasis Trilingual Community School
- Pasadena Star-NewsTemple City’s Oasis Trilingual Community School Takes New Approach to Education
- 89.3 KPCCParent Innovation Leads to Unusual Solution to School Frustrations