Mustang Public Schools covers 69 square miles in Canadian and Oklahoma counties and is the heart of the Mustang area. The district is home to a growing population of 8,350 students and 800 staff members. The district is known as a leader in education in Oklahoma, and was the first to implement a model of continuous improvement that is concerned with the success of every child and not just averages across grade levels. Last year the district enjoyed great gains from academic achievement to new facilities.

Academic Achievement

2009 Test Sscores
API Since 2005

For the fifth straight year, Mustang’s API score has risen, reaching 1373, a gain of 100 points since 2005. Mustang’s elementary schools maintained consistent performance with all schools scoring above 1300 out of a possible 1500 points. Each of Mustang’s secondary schools saw gains, with Mustang High School breaking 1400.

The API measures success for all students, as well as for specific student subgroups. Sub group scores of the API are used to measure Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), as defined in the federal No Child Left Behind regulations. All schools are to reach an API score of 1500 by 2014.

Geoff Kingsley, secondary curriculum director, said 2009 is the first year MHS broke 1400. In a comparison of API scores of Oklahoma’s 6A high schools, In 2007, Mustang ranked 26th out of 32 6A schools with an API of 1220. In 2008, the scores of MHS and Mustang Mid-High improved by more than 100 points, moving the school’s rank up to 14th out of 32.

 “This year, we hit 1401, which in terms of schools in class 6A puts us at number 11,” he said. “We are very close to making the top 10. We are continuing our efforts to communicate to students and teachers how we compare and not to be satisfied with where we are. We are working to foster a new level of pride in academic achievement.”

Among many steps the district is taking toward improvement for the 2009-2010 school year is the creation of Professional Learning Communities at Mustang High School and Mustang Mid-High. Mustang’s middle and elementary schools have used the concept for several years. The goal of Professional Learning Communities, or PLCs, is to give teachers an opportunity to talk to each other about the learning process and how instruction can be improved.

Mustang’s elementary schools continue to perform well. The district’s administrators and teaching staff are in a process of continuous improvement, identifying areas where children struggle and incorporating new strategies to help students master core skills.

Linda Atchley, elementary curriculum director, said helping children become proficient readers is vital to their future success in all subjects. Core skills are a priority at Mustang Public Schools, and teachers are concentrating on a multiple discipline approach by incorporating reading and math into all subjects. 

“An emphasis remains district-wide at the elementary level on non-fiction reading and writing,” she said. “This genre provides high-interest information which serves as a natural draw for all readers, particularly those who are reluctant to read independently.”

Elementary teachers are using formulas like Larry Bell’s UNRAAVEL to improve reading comprehension. UNRAAVEL, and methods like it, are systematic approaches to decoding a passage of text by taking students step-by-step through underlining the title and predicting the passage to identifying key words in the text. The district is also continuing the emphasis on giving students a solid academic vocabulary, which is critical for improvement in all subjects. This year, a cadre of teachers is identifying critical math terms students must know and understand in order to be successful in the next school year.

“Mustang Public Schools prides itself on hiring and retaining highly qualified professionals who work relentlessly to ensure the district’s students are not only prepared for the next grade, but also for the next level of education or career vocational training so they can be contributing citizens in an ever-changing world economy,” Atchley said. “Our district’s teachers represent professional integrity at its best.”

School Sites

Three special programs including pre-kindergarten, the alternative education program (PASS), and Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) are housed at the Mustang Education Center/George P. Morris Alternative Center. The district opened a new elementary school in 2007, bringing the number of elementary schools serving kindergarten through fifth grade to six. The district also includes two middle schools, a center for ninth-grade students and Mustang High School. The Mustang Board of Education and school administration are passionate about their goal to keep the high school and the school district united

Health and Nutrition

Health and wellness has become a growing focus across the district. From physical education to nutritional options, the district is concerned with helping students make healthier choices. Mustang’s Child Nutrition Department exceeds the minimum state requirements for school lunches. The department ensures that all foods offered are healthy options that provide nutritional value. Menus are carefully analyzed to ensure the proper nutrients are included in food choices the students will love. Three years ago, the Board of Education voted to remove sugared sodas and many candies from the vending machines. Students have grown accustomed to teas and fruit drinks instead of soda. In the cafeteria, skim milks have replaced whole milks.
MHS was recognized as one of the healthiest student bodies in the nation. The ‘got milk?®’ Milk Mustache marketing campaign, in association with the School Nutrition Association and the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, announced that Mustang High School was selected as one of the 25 healthiest schools in the nation. 

Pre-Kindergarten

Students at Mustang start off on the right foot with the Pre-Kindergarten program at Mustang Education Center.  In Pre-Kindergarten, class sizes are at a 10:1 ratio. In addition, Pre-K teachers are certified in early childhood and meet the requirements in the No Child Left Behind Act. For more information on Pre-Kindergarten, including enrollment requirements, go to www.mustangps.org or call 376-7322.

Elementary

Mustang Public Schools’ elementary program is devoted to developing positive character traits and giving students a solid foundation in the core subjects, with a special emphasis on reading. On the 2007-2008, Oklahoma Core Curriculum Test, 92 percent of third graders scored satisfactory or advanced in reading and 83 percent of third graders scored satisfactory or advanced in math. In fourth grade 97 percent scored satisfactory or advanced in reading and 87 percent scored satisfactory or advanced in math. In addition to reading, math and science, character education is a cornerstone in Mustang’s elementary schools. Each month, children learn about a new character trait like citizenship and honesty. Mustang Public Schools is also a leader in providing art education as well as vocal music and physical education courses at the elementary level.

Secondary

Mustang’s middle schools bridge the transition for students leaving elementary school to move into the rigors and new responsibilities of secondary education. At Mustang North Middle School and Mustang Middle School, 6th, 7th and 8th graders move from the elementary classrooms with 20 students to a “team” environment. Rather than being mixed into groups of 300 or more per grade, students are integrated into a learning community of around 150 students. Those students all share the same teachers for the core subjects.

For the 2007-2008 school year, MNMS and MMS shaved one minute off each class and shortened passing periods to offer a 20-minute advisory/enrichment period. Students have the opportunity to get help with homework, learn organizational skills and other basic strategies to be successful, or to take part in an enrichment activity. Besides homework help, students can choose to read an Accelerated Reader book, play games or take part in enrichment activities.
Mustang Middle School Principal Linda Wilkes and Mustang North Middle School Principal Angela Hunt agree the program has been very successful.

“We have focused this year on building relationships with students,” Wilkes said. “We have also used our advisories to help students become better organized for classes. Teachers are helping students fill out agendas and plan for tests and major assignments.  In addition, they are helping students study for tests.”

MMH and MHS

Mustang Mid High and Mustang High School are home to the school’s freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors.  With a reputation for academic excellence, MHS provides the right foundation for students planning on college, a vocational career or to enter the workforce after graduation. Each graduating class includes more than 40 students who have earned a 4.0 grade point average. Mustang students also score consistently higher than the state and national averages on the ACT.

In the 2008-2009 school year, MMH and MHS implemented advisory time.  All students meet twice each week for advisory, a course designed to teach life skills and build relationships. Advisory will make it possible for every student to have an adult advocate to help guide them through high school and better prepare them for adulthood.