Stillwater, Oklahoma, August 6, 2025
News Summary
Stillwater Public Schools is set to welcome 9th graders into a new high school currently under construction, enhancing educational facilities to accommodate a growing student body. The new high school, scheduled for completion in fall 2026, aims to centralize academic and extracurricular activities while addressing the educational needs of freshmen. Plans include demolishing the current high school due to high renovation costs, paving the way for a modern learning environment to support approximately 1,960 students.
Stillwater, Oklahoma Welcomes Transition for 9th Graders into New High School
Stillwater Public Schools is set to welcome 9th graders into its upcoming high school, which is currently under construction and scheduled for completion in fall 2026. This significant change comes as part of a district initiative to enhance educational facilities and better accommodate a growing student population, with the capacity to house up to 1,960 students.
As part of the new structure, the high school will become a centralized hub for both academic and extracurricular activities. This transition marks the final year for 9th grade to be classified as junior high. In the upcoming 2023-2024 school year, the district will implement a transitional structure: Pre-K through 5th grade in elementary, 6th to 7th in middle school, 8th grade in junior high, and freshmen through seniors at the high school. The ultimate goal is to create a grade configuration of Pre-K through 4th in elementary, 5th to 6th in middle school, 7th to 8th in junior high, and 9th through 12th in high school.
Superintendent Tyler Bridges has outlined how integrating 9th graders into the high school environment is expected to help enhance their social experiences and concentrate high school coursework within a singular location. This adjustment is aimed at addressing the unique educational needs of high school freshmen, especially since roughly 50% of summer school attendees in the district have historically been 9th graders seeking credits necessary for graduation.
Construction and Capacity Details
The new high school, featuring a comprehensive design, is intended to address the pressing need for additional space due to the current school serving approximately 1,700 students in grades 10-12. The new facility will include larger areas for extracurricular activities, a designated student center for meetings with college recruiters, and room for future class expansions.
While construction is currently in its first year, assistant superintendent Bo Gamble noted that the progress is ahead of schedule. The new academic buildings will come equipped with a 36,240 square foot performing arts wing and expanded classroom facilities, developed significantly earlier than originally anticipated. Following the completion of these academic structures, plans for extracurricular spaces will commence.
The district has decided to demolish the current high school building, as renovation costs were projected to exceed $30 million compared to roughly $1.5 million for demolition. By streamlining their resources, the district aims to allocate funds effectively towards fostering a productive learning environment that promotes student success.
Looking Ahead
The transition of 9th graders into the new facility represents a major milestone for Stillwater Public Schools, aligning with the district’s long-term vision focused on growth and achievement. As the construction progresses and the completion date nears, the administration is confident that these enhancements will yield positive results for both students and staff, strengthening the educational framework in the community.
FAQ
What is the purpose of the new high school construction?
The new high school is being constructed to accommodate a growing student population, improve facilities for extracurricular activities, and integrate 9th graders into the high school environment.
What is the current capacity of the existing high school?
The current high school serves approximately 1,700 students in grades 10-12.
When will the new high school be completed?
The construction of the new high school is scheduled to be completed in fall 2026.
How will the grade configuration change?
In the transitional 2023-2024 school year, the configuration will be Pre-K through 5th in elementary, 6th to 7th in middle school, 8th in junior high, and freshmen through seniors in high school. The final configuration is planned as Pre-K through 4th in elementary, 5th to 6th in middle school, and 7th to 8th in junior high.
What will happen to the current high school building?
The current building will be demolished to save on renovation costs, which were significantly higher than the cost of demolition.
Key Features of the New High School
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Up to 1,960 students |
| Performing Arts Wing | 36,240 square feet dedicated to performing arts |
| New Grade Configuration | Final configuration will be Pre-K through 4th, 5th to 6th, 7th to 8th, and 9th to 12th |
| Construction Progress | Ahead of schedule, with completion expected by fall 2026 |
| Current High School Status | To be demolished; renovation costs exceed $30 million |
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Additional Resources
- OC Olly: Stillwater High School Vision
- KOCO: Stillwater Public Schools Cuts
- Stillwater News Press: New Superintendent
- CBS News: Stillwater Schools Data Breach
- KSTP: Multi-Grade Classrooms Complaints
- Wikipedia: Education in Oklahoma
- Google Search: Stillwater Public Schools
- Google Scholar: Stillwater Public Schools
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- Google News: Stillwater Schools
