Education system and best schools in Oklahoma: Oklahoma's public school system structure. Key school districts: OSSBA's top performers. Oklahoma School Report Cards. Major high school diploma tracks. Gifted and talented education programs. Best-ranked elementary schools. Prominent secondary schools. Availability of Advanced Placement courses. Special education services and resources. School school zoning and attendance boundaries.
Oklahoma's public school system structure.
The Oklahoma State Department of Education, established in 1971, is responsible for overseeing the public school system, with the State Board of Education setting policies and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction serving as the chief executive officer. The department is organized into various divisions, including Accreditation and Standards, Professional Services, Financial Services, and Special Education Services, to efficiently manage aspects such as school accreditation, teacher certification, financial distribution, and special education. For more detailed information, you can visit the Oklahoma State Department of Education webpage.
Key school districts: OSSBA's top performers.
The top-performing school districts in Oklahoma include Oklahoma City Public Schools, Edmond School District, and Moore School District, recognized for their academic performance and equity. These districts are among the largest and highly rated, with Oklahoma City Public Schools and Edmond School District standing out for their extensive number of schools and student enrollment.
Oklahoma School Report Cards.
Oklahoma School Report Cards provide an annual update on various indicators of school performance, including academic achievement, academic growth, English language proficiency, chronic absenteeism, graduation rates, and postsecondary opportunities. All of these factors are combined to give an overall letter grade (A-F) to help families and communities identify school strengths and areas for improvement. For more detailed information, you can visit the Oklahoma School Report Cards website.
Major high school diploma tracks.
In Oklahoma, high school diploma tracks are guided by the Oklahoma Academic Standards, which outline expectations for what students should know and be able to do by the end of each school year. These standards include requirements in subjects such as English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies, as well as competencies in Personal Financial Literacy and other areas to ensure students are prepared for college, career, and citizenry.
Gifted and talented education programs.
In Oklahoma, gifted and talented education programs, such as the Oklahoma City Public Schools' GATE program, identify students through multiple criteria including standardized test scores, creative thinking, leadership, visual and performing arts, and specific academic abilities. These programs offer enriched learning opportunities, including enrichment in regular classrooms, and are designed to meet the unique educational needs of gifted students with parental approval and confidentiality.
Best-ranked elementary schools.
The best-ranked elementary schools in Oklahoma are listed on SchoolDigger, with rankings based on OSTP test scores in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science released by the Oklahoma State Department of Education. Schools like Oakridge Elementary School, Wayland Bonds Elementary School, and Chisholm Elementary School are among the top-rated elementary schools in the state.
Prominent secondary schools.
Oklahoma has a diverse range of secondary schools, with notable public schools including Classen School of Advanced Studies in Oklahoma City, Norman High School and Norman North High School in Norman, and Bethany High School in Bethany. Private schools such as Bishop Kelley High School and Cascia Hall Preparatory School in Tulsa are also highly regarded. For more details on these and other institutions, visit the List of High Schools in Oklahoma.
Availability of Advanced Placement courses.
In Oklahoma, fewer than one in four high schools currently offer the minimum of four Advanced Placement (AP) courses required by a new state law. Many schools are relying on online platforms to meet this requirement, and some students are opting for concurrent enrollment over AP classes due to the different credit systems. For more in-depth information, Oklahoma Watch provides a comprehensive examination of the educational landscape and its evolving challenges.
Special education services and resources.
In Oklahoma, public schools often fail to provide adequate special education services, with laws allowing schools to deny transfers and information to families of special-needs children, despite federal requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). A new bill, HB 3915, aims to address these issues by requiring schools to establish clear policies on capacity and services for special education students. For more detailed insights, visit the article on OCPA's website.
School school zoning and attendance boundaries.
Determining the appropriate school for your child can be a daunting task, especially when considering which districts and boundaries apply to your residence. Fortunately, Mustang Public Schools offers a comprehensive online resource that provides detailed information on school attendance boundaries, including individual school zones and contact details for verification purposes. Similarly, Norman Public Schools provides resources such as maps and documents that outline the attendance boundaries for schools within their district, offering valuable guidance to parents. These tools assist families in making informed decisions regarding school enrollment based on their home address, ultimately easing the process of educational planning as you navigate the options available within your community.