Okemos Public Schools, originally organized in 1849, now represents a 22.5-square-mile (58 km2) area in north-central Ingham County in Okemos, Michigan adjacent to East Lansing, Michigan (home of Michigan State University) and four miles (6 km) east of Lansing, Michigan. The school district includes approximately two-thirds of Meridian Township, Michigan and portions of Alaiedon and Williamstown townships.
In 2005-06, the district enrolled 4,210 students and employed 298 teachers, 19 administrators, and 233 support personnel.
In 2009, the Okemos school board decided, after intense public debate, on a broad reorganization of the district's elementary and middle schools. One goal of the reorganization was to close budget deficits resulting from lagging tax revenues and declining enrollments. Another was to improve teaching by consolidating each grade level at a few schools, allowing more contact and specialization among teachers at each level.
In Fall 2010, Wardcliff and Edgewood Elementary Schools are to be closed. Kindergarten to 4th grade students from Wardcliff and Central will be reassigned to Cornell, Bennett Woods, and Hiawatha; and the public Montessori program will move from Edgewood to Central. All 5th and 6th graders will attend Kinawa Middle School, and all 7th and 8th graders will attend Chippewa Middle School.
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"Together...educating with excellence, inspiring learners for life"
Okemos Public Schools is made up of four elementary schools, one [5-6] building, one [7-8] building and one high school.
Their nickname is the Chieftains, meant to honor Chief John Okemos, a Native American of the area. Both middle schools and Okemos High School participate in many girls' and boys' sports.
Okemos High School is a Division I member of the Capital Area Activities Conference. Other members of the Division are East Lansing, Grand Ledge, Holt, Jackson, Lansing Eastern, Lansing Everett, and Lansing Sexton.
Okemos High School Sports:
Boys - Football, Cross Country, Soccer, Golf, Basketball, Wrestling, Swimming & Diving, Hockey, Skiing, Baseball, Tennis, Track, Water Polo, Lacrosse
Girls - Basketball, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Cheerleading, Pom, Cross Country, Volleyball, Skiing, Softball, Track, Soccer, Golf, Water Polo, Lacrosse
Okemos High School is ranked #802 on Newsweek's 2010 list of the Best High Schools in America.http://www.newsweek.com/feature/2010/americas-best-high-schools/list.html