From Kindergarten Through College, Stillwater’s Schools Earn Top marks
education, meridian technology center, northern oklahoma college, oklahoma state university, stillwater,
With a top-ranked public school system, as well as such notable higher education centers as Oklahoma State University, Meridian Technology Center and a campus of Northern Oklahoma College, small wonder that Stillwater is recognized for academic achievement throughout the state and region.
It’s not just the schools and universities, however, but the community’s loyal support of them, that sets Stillwater apart. The citizens are well educated, with more than 90 percent of residents holding a high school diploma, almost half with a college degree, and upwards of 25 percent also attaining a post-graduate degree.
“Everybody here is so supportive,” says Dr. Ann Caine, who became superintendent of the Stillwater Public Schools in May 2008. “It really struck me when my husband and I came to the Taste of Stillwater event at the high school, and found more than 30 restaurant vendors and a packed gym. It raised almost $10,000 for the school district foundation, and when I saw that level of community support, I knew I’d made the right decision to come here.”
Caine inherits a district that’s just seen a $31 million bond measure approved – money that is being used to build a new high school football stadium and junior-high track. In the classroom, the district is a state leader in ACT and SAT scores, and consistently produces students who earn National Merit scholarships and other top honors. All told, Caine says she expects both the school system’s achievements and the support network to continue to expand and improve.
“Stillwater is a high-achieving, high-expectations district, and it’s also a university community,” says Caine, herself an OSU grad. “There is a healthy and strong relationship between the district and the university, and a lot of collaborations are already in place.
I’m new, and OSU has a new president, so this is a good time for us to look at new partnerships between the two groups. The bottom line for me is building relationships.”
That’s the goal on the OSU campus as well, where there’s anything but a town vs. gown mindset.
“OSU attracts students from many different communities in the state of Oklahoma, throughout the United States and nearly 120 other countries,” says Carrie Hulsey-Greene, associate director of communications. “This diverse mix of people creates a unique population for the community of Stillwater. OSU has various programs throughout the university that work with elementary and secondary students in Stillwater and surrounding communities to mentor and spark their interest in pursuing a higher education.”
The university’s faculty and staff also work with the Stillwater business community through the Center for Innovation and Economic Development. The center allows OSU to offer a wide range of services to help small businesses and entrepreneurs with business plans and investment opportunities, Hulsey-Greene says.
“CIED also works with the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce to bring new business and industry to the area,” she says. “OSU offers many opportunities for training and workforce development through the Center of Professional and Executive Development in the William S. Spears School of Business.”
Story by Joe Morris
Photo by Jeff Adkins
