Harding Charter Prep presents renewal case to OKCPS board; vote expected in October

Harding Charter Prep presented to the Oklahoma City Public Schools Board of Education Sept. 15 as part of its contract renewal process, outlining student performance, enrollment growth and community demand.

Steven Stefanik, superintendent of Harding Charter Prep, called Harding the first charter sponsored by Oklahoma City Public Schools (originating 1999) and summarized the school’s recent history, including a consolidation of grade bands and a rebrand to Harding Charter Prep. He said the organization now includes a newly opened elementary campus with about 160 students and that the system has capacity constraints at other campuses.

Jason Mack, the district’s charter schools coordinator, walked the board through renewal timelines required by district policy: a charter seeking renewal must notify the district of its intent by June 1, and the district must give notice by Oct. 1 in renewal cases. Mack said the board would consider a renewal vote, likely at the Oct. 6 meeting.

Stefanik highlighted performance and enrollment metrics: Harding serves about 12% special education students, about 13% English language learners and, he said, roughly 63% of students qualified for free or reduced‑price lunch last year. He told the board the high school has been ranked among the state’s top schools and said roughly 97% of seniors graduated and most were accepted to four‑year universities; he also cited about $5.9 million in college scholarship offers for a recent senior cohort.

Mack said Harding submitted its formal renewal application and the district’s internal review and presentations are part of the standard renewal process. The presentation was informational; the board will receive the renewal application and is expected to vote in October.