Schools in OKC...Help!

[46years]

2010 Grad:

After you have kids of your own and they reach school age, post here again and tell me where you sent them to school. I'm about 90% certain that if you have the financial opportunity (and I suspect you will as I think you have a lot going for you), you'll choose to send them to the best schools that you can. And, that won't be OKC schools unless dramatic changes occur.

I think it's great that you have some school pride. That's normal and a good thing, howver, after about 10 years, that wears off and reality sinks in.

Best wishes,

46years

[46years]

And...2010Grad was right about several things...

First, you CAN get a good education at an OKC Public School. It's up to the child to make sure that happens. I graduated from OKC Public Schools (in 1979), graduated from the University of Oklahoma, and now make a six-figure income working for Global 500 technology companies. So, yes, it CAN be done. My point is that, on average, the quality of education in other districts is much higher. Expectations are much higher. Fewer problems (on the whole). Better administration/teaching. Etc. I've seen both sides first hand. I've also been in several of the OKC public schools in the last five years, and were shocked at the condition they were in. I am well aware that the building doesn't determine the quality of eduction you receive. Heck, you could get a Harvard eduction in a dirt hut, for that matter, but it was disturbing to see all of the vandelism and lack of maintenance as it made me wonder what all else was "broken" in terms of teaching, etc.

Second, just because you send your kids to a better district, doesn't guarantee success, because there are certainly some negative aspects to sending your kids to the non-OKC districts. For example, for several years, my son thought we were poor because all his friends lived in $500,000+ homes (and we don't). I could probably qualify for that type of loan, but I'm more conservative financially and will have my home paid off in two more years and will be 100% debt free (including no mortgage). If I were to have purchased a "MacMansion" I would be in debt for 20 more years (no thanks!!!!).

Anyway, those are my thoughts. Anyone with differing opinions, feel free to chime in.

[happytown]

Here are some stats in '04. Looks like progress to me. Scores have only increased since '04.
Oklahoma City Public Schools

http://www.okcps.k12.ok.us/

Someone come up with valid info/site saying that Maps for Kids didnt help and that the schools are the worst in the world! Until that time it is subjective.

On another note....Someone posted that the charter schools are bad. If so, then they might want to do some more research.

[googleajax]

I will be moving to OKC pretty soon, I am looking for a kindergarten school around OKC area for my kid.

My google search results "Adams Elementary School" as top rated school, is that the best school in OKC?

Please help me to pick a nice school. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

[Stephen D.]

I would say the elementary schools which have received the most praise would be:

Nichols Hills Elementary
Quail Creek Elementary
Cleveland Elementary
Wilson Elementary

Two of these are "specialty schools". Two are located in very nice neighborhoods. The other two are located either in nice or next to nice neighborhoods. Two have been declared "Blue Ribbon" schools by USDE. Do some research and make an informed decision. Best of luck. My daughter attended Quail Creek Elementary. She know attends Independence Charter Middle School. My son attended Gatewood Elem. and later Stonegate Elem. He now attends Harding Charter Preparatory High School. Graduates this May. Has been accepted by Vassar and Carnegie Mellon.

[Nicholija_Supertramp]

I went to Deer Creek Schools from kindergarten through high school. I actually had a pretty good experience there. When I was there it was pretty small though. I know now it has really blown up. They have 3 elementary schools in their district now. It is one of the largest districts in the state based upon actual land coverage. New neighborhoods seem to pop up every year in the district because there were so many fields.

It was very much like a private school when I went there. We had two police officers on campus, gated entrances, very close community. In most cases the school was well supported financially. They have nice facilities compared to a lot of schools. It was considered a bit of a "rich kid school" and there is a pretty large percentage of wealthy families in the area that send their kids there. When I went there they even had no "D" in the grading system...it went A,B,C,F. I think they had to change that since then though.

At any rate, I highly recommend that you look into Deer Creek Schools. It is North of OKC but still very close to everything you would need. There are a lot of newer homes on big lots out there for reasonable prices. Regardless of what you do I would definitely recommend you look at schools in NW OKC first.