Okemos Public Schools
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 closed. Kindergarten to 4th grade students from Wardcliff and Central were reassigned to Cornell, Bennett Woods, and Hiawatha; and the public Montessori program moved from Edgewood to Central. All 5th and 6th graders now attend Kinawa Middle School, and all 7th and 8th graders now attend Chippewa Middle School. Edgewood is now home to Okemos Community Education, which also houses their Childcare Program and Pre-School Program.
Schools
Okemos Public Schools is made up of four elementary schools, one [5-6] building, one [7-8] building and one high school.
- Bennett Woods Elementary
- Cornell Elementary
- Okemos Public Montessori at Central
- Hiawatha Elementary
- Chippewa 7-8 School
- Kinawa 5-6 School
- Okemos High School
Athletics
Their nickname is the Chiefs, 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
5th through 8th graders compete against each other in a yearly "Chieftain Challenge", or a mile race to determine the fastest in the school, which is organized by the PE teachers.
Okemos Education Foundation
The Okemos Education Foundation is a 501c3 organization dedicated to supporting educational excellence at all levels of the Okemos Public School District. It funds classroom grants, professional development grants, author visits, and extra-curricular student clubs and organizations. It also recognizes excellence through teacher, staff, and volunteer awards, given at the OEF Awards Banquet each November. The OEF gave $103,000 to the Okemos Public School District in 2013-2014. It relies on donations from Okemos parents, district employees, businesses, and community members in order to continue its mission.
Drama Program
Okemos schools is home to one of the mostly highly acclaimed high school drama departments in the state. For information about their previous performances and future season visit their website. http://www.okemostheatre.net/
Rankings
Okemos High School is ranked #392 in the nation and #4 in Michigan on US News' 2012 list of the Best High Schools in America. http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/michigan/districts/okemos-public-schools/okemos-high-school-10190