OSSM Facts
- The 17th graduating class of the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics held commencement exercises May 31,2008, on the steps of the Oklahoma State Capitol. A total of 1,024 students have now graduated from OSSM.
- Over half of the OSSM enrollment are from communities with populations of fewer than 10,000.
- Students from all of Oklahoma’s 77 counties have been selected to attend OSSM.
- Approximately 60 percent of graduating seniors attend colleges and universities in Oklahoma.
- OSSM has graduated 15 students with appointments to the United States Naval Academy, 14 to the United States AirForce Academy and two to the United States Military Academy at West Point.
- OSSM has produced 264 National Merit Finalists and
152 National Merit Commended Scholars.
- The 1,024 students to graduate from OSSM in 17 years have received scholarship offers in excess of $77 million.
- In 2006, 2007 and 2008, NEWSWEEK Magazine named OSSM one of America’s “Top Public Schools.”
- More than 13,000 Oklahoma teachers have taken advantage of workshops and seminars provided by the OSSMfaculty.
- Three graduates have been named National Presidential Scholars. OSSM has had nine semifinalists and 98 nomineesfor the Presidential Scholars Program.
- The late Dr. Julian Stanley of Johns Hopkins University, a nationally known expert on gifted education, called theOklahoma School of Science and Mathematics, “the most rigorous academic program of its kind in the nation.”
- To date, 214 OSSM students have received Robert C. Byrd Scholarships through the federally funded program whichrecognizes exceptionally able high school seniors who show promise of continued academic excellence and achievement.
- The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence has named 80 OSSM students Academic All-State Scholars in the 16 yearsthe school has had students in contention.
- Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Scholarships have been offered to 473 OSSM seniors.
- The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation has offered Sir Alexander Fleming Scholarships to 21 OSSM students.
- The school has had 14 finalists in the National Achievement Scholarship Program.
- In the National Competition of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics and Science (TEAM+S), sponsored each year bythe Junior Engineering Technical Society, OSSM teams have placed first regionally for nine consecutive years. The 2008 varsity team placed first in state. In 1995, 1999, and 2004, senior OSSM teams placed first at the national level. In 1997, 1998, and 2001, both the senior and junior teams placed first nationally. The 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 junior varsity teams were first in the nation and the 2008 team also placed first in state.
- Eight OSSM students have been named National Hispanic Scholars.
- Two students in the Class of 2000, two in the Class of 2001, and three in the Class of 2002, were selected for the U.S.Chemistry Olympiad Team. In 2000, one went on to compete internationally for the United States and won a bronze medal; in 2001, a silver. Two 2002 graduates competed internationally to secure a gold medal and a bronze medal for the United States.
- One student competed on the 1993 United States Physics Olympiad Team and on the 1993 United States ComputerScience Olympiad Team. A 1996 graduate won a bronze medal in the International Computer Science Olympiad.
- A student from the Class of 1995 was a Gold Medal Winner in the XXVI International Physics Olympiad. This student placed second in the world in the international competition. In 2006 one junior and one senior were named to the U.S. Physics team – the senior went on to compete internationally and won a gold medal. A 2007 senior competed internationally for the United States. In 2008, two students were finalists in the competition.
- Each year, at least one-third of OSSM seniors participate in mentorships in which they do concentratedresearch or project development under the direction of professionals in the scientific community. In 2008, a record number of students completed mentorships.
- In 2008, two students were first place award winners at the Regional Level of the Intel Science and Engineering Fair.