Primary Education
Quality, commitment and accountability – these are just a few of the words that reflect the sweeping changes and improvements in education for the Greater Oklahoma City area. When civic, business and education leaders applied their talents to address the needs of the area’s largest school district, Oklahoma City Public Schools, they developed a blueprint that changed the urban district’s learning landscape forever.
In 2001, Oklahoma City voters approved MAPS for Kids, a comprehensive education reform plan that raised $700 million for Oklahoma City Public Schools and surrounding school districts. In addition to building seven schools and renovating 65 others, the plan calls for strategic academic reforms; improved student achievement; restored classroom discipline; and increased accountability for schools with students, parents and the community.
From serving on the planning committee to investing in the Yes for Kids Campaign as the first and largest contributor, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber has been a partner in MAPS for Kids every step of the way. Even though the temporary sales tax has ended, MAPS for Kids continues to transform Greater Oklahoma City’s public schools, focusing on infrastructure needs that will ultimately help change the overall environment of our public schools.
There are also several excellent suburban school districts adjacent to Oklahoma City, including Putnam City Schools, which was named by Money magazine as one of the nation's "100 Top Schools in Towns You Can Afford." In addition to Oklahoma City and Putnam City Schools, other school districts located in Oklahoma County include: Choctaw / Nicoma Park, Crooked Oak, Deer Creek, Edmond, Jones, Luther, McLoud, Mid-Del, Millwood, and Moore.
Oklahoma schools have received national recognition for alternative education, early childhood accessibility and the increasing number of teachers earning National Board Certification – the profession’s top credential. A national study by Education Week gave Oklahoma education high marks for standards and accountability, efforts to improve teacher quality and resources.
Oklahoma students score above the national average on the SAT and have seen the largest performance increase on the ACT test over the last 13 years in the Southwest Region. In fact, the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics (OSSM), a tuition-free residential high school in Oklahoma City for juniors and seniors with exceptional ability in math and science, has achieved the highest composite ACT scores of any high school in the country twice since 1998, and has produced 225 National Merit Scholars in the 14 years it has been in operation.
Higher Education
Education opportunities are easy to come by in the Oklahoma City region. Whether you are looking for a 4-year, 2-year or Career Tech education, in Oklahoma City you have many options. With more than 125,000 students in area colleges each year, the Oklahoma City region educates as many youth as college towns like Boston or Philadelphia. Learn more about Oklahoma City area 4 and 2 year colleges.
Career Tech
The Oklahoma Career Tech System has been recognized as one of the best career training and workforce development systems in the nation. The system offers programs and services in 29 technology center districts operating on 56 campuses, 398 comprehensive school districts, 25 skill centers and three juvenile facilities. Learn more about the Oklahoma Career Tech System.
Learn more about our education and workforce development efforts, or contact a member of our Education and Workforce Development staff. For more information about living in Oklahoma City and metro schools, visit our Relocation site.
