Hard truth? Oklahoma City is leaving your child out of our success story

by Brent Bushey, Fuel OKC CEO, as featured in The Oklahoman

Oklahoma City is on the rise and the world is taking notice. In just the past decade, we’ve transformed from a flyover town to a nationally recognized destination. We’ve built a thriving Boathouse District, welcomed James Beard-nominated restaurants and created vibrant public spaces like Scissortail Park and a world-class Convention Center. We’re proudly hosting seven events in the 2028 Olympics and hold the title of “Softball Capital of the World.” Our population growth is strong, and we now rank as the 20th largest city in the nation.

And now, we are champions. The Oklahoma City Thunder — our beloved team built on vision, patience and investment — just brought home their first NBA title. It’s more than a sports victory; it’s a reflection of what this city can achieve when we dream big and back it up with action. From MAPS to the Paycom Center, we built the foundation for this moment together.

But as we celebrate this incredible milestone, we must also face a hard truth: our public education system is falling behind, and far too many students are being left out of Oklahoma City’s story of success.

Oklahoma City is growing while our schools stumble

Of the 84 public schools within Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) boundaries, only 18 scored an A or B on the 2023–24 Oklahoma School Report Card. That means just 20% of the city’s 44,000 students attend a quality public school. In too many classrooms, fewer than one in five students read at grade level. This is especially alarming given that research shows students who aren't reading proficiently by third grade are far less likely to graduate high school and more likely to face ongoing academic challenges.

While Oklahoma City continues to grow, fewer families are raising children in the urban core — driven out of a city they love by a lack of quality school options. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, from 2014 to 2023, Oklahoma City’s population of children under 18 grew by 12.35%, but the number of children living within OKCPS boundaries dropped by 5.01%.

This is more than a data point, it’s a call to action. If we want Oklahoma City to remain a city on the rise, we must bring the same optimism, belief and bold commitment to our public schools that we brought to building a championship team.

Better Oklahoma City public schools are possible

Just as many doubted the Thunder’s ability to contend for a title, some skeptics question whether schools serving underserved communities can succeed. But that mindset is not only misguided, it’s harmful. Lowering expectations for students based on their ZIP code or socioeconomic status only reinforces the barriers they face.

We don’t have to imagine what’s possible; we can see it right here in Oklahoma City. Schools like Dove Science Academy High School and Santa Fe South Pathways Middle College are two public charter schools in Oklahoma City where most students come from families experiencing economic hardship. Yet, they’re among just six schools in OKCPS boundaries to earn an 'A' on the State Report Card. These schools prove that academic excellence is possible in every neighborhood when leaders invest in educators, build supportive learning environments and believe in every student’s potential.

Oklahoma City’s future depends on ensuring that every child has access to a high-quality public school. Our community must work together to significantly increase the number of strong school options so that every student, in every neighborhood, has the opportunity to thrive. Because a big league city must have big league schools, where every student masters grade-level skills, and where graduates are prepared to succeed in college and careers, not just in Oklahoma City, but anywhere in the world.

Our city has proven what’s possible when we dream big. Now it’s time to do the same for our kids. Our children, and our future, deserve nothing less.