During their monthly meeting in December, the Oklahoma State Board of Education unanimously approved a request by The Academy of Seminole to open a new branch in Okmulgee.

The Academy of Okmulgee is expected to open in the fall of 2024, serving students from Pre-K to 8th grade.

The Board of Stonebridge Academy, a private school located in Okmulgee, voted to transfer its facilities to The Academy of Seminole. Stonebridge Academy will close during the summer of 2024, and the assets of Stonebridge will transfer to the new site.

While children are assigned to traditional public schools based on geography, families must proactively enroll students in a charter school for them to attend. Under state law, admission to a charter school is done by random lottery if the number of applicants exceeds the total seats available.

From 2025 to 2028, The Academy of Okmulgee plans to add one grade each year until it serves students all the way from Pre-K to 12th grade. Officials expect to serve 180 students in the first year, and between 250 and 320 students by the fifth year.

There will be no charge to attend The Academy of Okmulgee.

“People say that charter schools can’t work in rural areas,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters. “We’re looking right here at an incredibly successful rural charter school that now has a very solid application to us to expand into Okmulgee.”

Be looking for further updates and details about The Academy of Okmulgee.