Recently, U.S. News & World Reports released their 2025 school rankings. The annual high school rankings are based on a straightforward formula that includes six factors including academic performance, graduation rates, percentage of students in Advanced Placement (AP), and AP exam performance. The 2025 rankings include 24,000 public high schools, as well as a Top High School list for each state.

I am thrilled to report that two Oklahoma charter high schools made the Top 10 for Oklahoma, second and third only to a high school that isn't open enrollment like they are -- Harding Charter Prep High School and Dove Science Academy High School. In addition, three other Oklahoma charter high schools came in at No. 12, 13 and 14 in the entire state. This is an achievement not only for these exemplary high schools and their leaders, but it is an achievement for our entire charter school community!

We asked Harding and Dove's superintendents to what they attributed their success and could share with their colleagues. Harding's Steven Stefanick told us that he believed "every student deserves access to high-quality educational programs (like Advanced Placement), and, at our schools, 100 percent do." Dove Superintendent Abidin Erez had a similar response indicating his school's success is "the direct result of our school culture that includes rigorous academics, hands-on STEM learning, individual support for every student and a strong commitment of our faculty to support all students ..."

We applaud the success and commitment of these dedicated Oklahoma charter leaders and encourage our readers to reach out to them to identify best practices. Together, our community can ensure we continue to grow and provide every child, regardless of where they live and their family's income, a high-quality learning environment and every opportunity to succeed in school and in life.

Until next time ...

Dr. Rebecca Wilkinson

Executive Director

Interim study on charter facilities scheduled

An interim study proposed by Rep. Rob Hall of Tulsa on Charter Schools' Facility Funding and Authorization has been approved and will take place at the state Capitol on Oct. 8. All charter leaders are encouraged to either attend and interact with decisionmakers following the study or watch the proceedings online and subsequently provide any feedback they may have on the main topics.

In addition to studying how charter schools are authorized in Oklahoma, the interim study aims to identify the obstacles for charter schools to have quality learning facilities, which, Rep. Hall accurately indicated in his proposal for this interim study, is the primary obstacle to charter school proliferation and success in our state. The study's proposal indicates discussion will explore "steps lawmakers could take in regard to charter facilities including credit enhancement programs, matching funds, dedicated funding or grants, tax-exempt bonds, access to public space and other possible solutions."

No time has yet been announced for the Oct. 8 interim study, but communication to the charter community will be distributed once it has.

Horizon's skyrocketing growth in news

Part of the mission of the Statewide Charter School Board (SCSB) is to implement supplementary learning opportunities, ensuring access to innovative educational environments that promote academic excellence and that prepare students for successful lives. This isn't just part of the agency's mission statement; it is a statutory responsibility of the agency and one that it fulfills, and the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board fulfilled before it, through the Horizon: Enhanced Digital Campus program that it administers.

There are two primary facets of Horizon. The first is discounted, negotiated group pricing for 3rd-party curriculum such as Edgenuity, Edementum, Flexpoint, Waterford and the like. The second facet of Horizon is providing free Advanced Placement and honors courses, including teachers of record.

At the SCSB's most recent meeting on Sept. 8, the Board learned that since 2022, Horizon has experienced skyrocketing growth, growing from 35 districts using it in 2022 to 380 districts this school year. This, the Board has learned, is culminating in nearly $3.7 million in cost savings to school districts this school year alone.

However, the Board also discussed that despite program growth and savings, Horizon received no appropriated funds this session and is operating the first semester of this school year with carryover funding. Fortunately, news articles following the Board meeting (see links to the news articles below) suggested lawmakers are pleased with the program's growth and will be taking steps to preserve it. If they do not, the Horizon program will not have the funding to continue in its present form and in the manner that Oklahoma school districts have come to rely upon.

The SCSB encourages all schools and districts utilizing Horizon, to make sure their locally elected lawmakers in the state House and Senate know its value to their students and bottom lines. For more information about Horizon, contact info@horizon.ok.gov

Oklahoman news article

Okla. Voice news article

State law: Charter contracts to be sent to SCSB

State law requires charter contracts between authorizers and schools to be provided to the SCSB as soon as a contract has been executed and also when a contract renewal has been executed. This is a legal requirement regardless of whether a school is authorized by the SCSB or by another authorizer.

If a school or authorizer does not know whether they have shared their most current contract with the SCSB since it was created on July 1, 2024, out of an abundance of caution, send your contract to the SCSB via Skyler Lusnia, skyler.lusnia@scsb.ok.gov, who can also answer any questions you may have about this legal requirement.

September 25: “It Should Come As No Surprise: Red Flags & All Clears in School Budgets & Financials.” Online, live training from noon to 1 p.m. Approved for one-hour training credit for board members in School Finance. REGISTER NOW

October 13: Statewide Charter School Board meeting at 1 p.m. at the Oklahoma History Center. Agenda and livestream to be posted HERE.

October 23: Top 10 Ways Boards Violate Open Records & Open Meetings Acts. Online, live training from noon to 1 p.m. and approved for one-hour training credit for board members in Open Records Act & Open Meeting Act. REGISTER NOW

November 10: Statewide Charter School Board meeting at 1 p.m. at the Oklahoma History Center. Agenda and livestream to be posted HERE.

November 20: AI in Education: Practical Tools for Teaching, Leading and the Future of Learning. Approved for one-hour training credit for board members. REGISTER NOW

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