OSSM VIRTUAL PROGRAM

“The OSSM Virtual Program offers an inviting curriculum to meet the academic goals of any student. Instructors are eager to find what interests you and provide specific insight on how to make your education challenging, rewarding, and enjoyable. For rural students like myself, the Virtual Program perfectly balances the rigor of OSSM with the ability to engage in your everyday extracurriculars. Their support has allowed me to immerse myself in higher-level STEM material and connect my learning to principles outside of STEM, such as economics. In my experience, the opportunities opened up by this program and their ease of access remain unparalleled for students across the state. I cannot recommend this program–and its faculty–highly enough!”

— Wyatt Jensen

Wyatt is a National Merit Scholar and a national public speaking finalist in both FFA and HOSA. Throughout his work in the OSSM Virtual Program, he has completed courses in calculus, physics, chemistry, and economics. His studies in the program have also led to accolades on the national level for his research with the USDA in soil carbon sequestration. He will be attending Harvard University for the Undergraduate Class of 2027, and he plans to concentrate in Molecular & Cellular Biology.

Welcome to the OSSM Virtual Program. The Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics (OSSM) is a school that seeks to meet the needs of academically advanced high school students in Oklahoma, free of charge or fees to students, their families, or their school districts. In addition to the coursework at the Virtual Program, students maintain their local high school affiliations and extracurricular activities. To ensure successful course completion, students need the support of family, local high schools and the Virtual Program faculty.

The OSSM Virtual Center offers AP courses taught by members of our faculty and specifically designed to reach students and districts across the state and work to meet their unique needs. These courses will fulfill the Oklahoma statute 70 O.S. § 1210.704, requiring all public high schools to offer at least four AP courses, starting with the 2024-2025 school year.

Depending on interest, the OSSM Virtual Program will offer the following AP courses:

AP Calculus AB/BC (requires Algebra 2; precalculus or similar strongly recommended)
AP Physics 1 (requires Algebra 2 and physical science, or equivalent)
AP Physics 2
AP Physics C: Mechanics (requires Algebra 2; precalculus or similar strongly recommended)
AP Physics c: Electricity & Magnetism
AP Statistics (requires Algebra 2)
AP Chemistry
AP Pre-Calculus
AP Environmental Science

For courses that do not meet the minimum enrollment requirements of five students, self-study is also offered on a case-by-case basis.

Courses are year-round starting in August, with spring-only offerings depending on student interest. Students may attend from anywhere they can access the internet and have a computer. Students meet with instructors remotely, either from a classroom, library, or even home. Additionally, students may meet with instructors in person (typically at the student’s high school or another centralized location) up to once per month to work on labs or other activities.

For high schools interested in learning about our AP offerings, please fill out the interest survey here (students, parents, guardians, other individuals – education professionals.

Please contact the Virtual Program Director and AP teacher, Jessica Decker at Jessica.Decker@ossm.edu or 918-960-0903. After the mid-April deadline, applications are considered on a case-by-base basis.

Attendance Policy

One of the most attractive benefits of the Virtual Program is that it allows students to continue to participate in extracurricular activities at their home high schools. While many of the assignments are virtual, students must continue to complete assignments and engage with the coursework, which includes meeting with instructors at dedicated times. Failure to do so may result in dismissal from the program or a failing grade.

Cost

As with OSSM’s residential program, there are no tuition, fees or book costs for students to participate in the Virtual Program. Students are responsible for costs associated with school supplies and incidental expenses related to their course work. Some of these may be met by the student’s district or other sources (such as district-provided laptop or calculator).

Meet Ms. Decker

Jessica Decker (M.Ed.) grew up in rural Oklahoma (Westville) and quickly ran out of STEM options at her small high school. When she learned of the OSSM Regional Center at Stilwell, she knew it was perfect for her and applied immediately.

After OSSM and high school, Ms. Decker studied at the University of Tulsa and Northeastern State University before graduating with her B.S.Ed. in Math Education in May 2012. She started at the OSSM Regional Center in Drumright, Okla. the following August.

Through 2020, she taught various AP Physics courses and AP Statistics in Drumright at the Regional Center. During this time, she also studied engineering, earning an A.S. She joined the OSSM Virtual Program during COVID-19, when she initially took over all classes offered while also completing her M.Ed. in Science Education. Since then, Ms. Decker has helped the program grow to include additional courses and instructors. She hopes to serve more Oklahoma students who lack sufficient access to advanced STEM courses and especially appreciates the opportunity to help high school students thrive while maintaining traditional high school experiences.

Ms. Decker lives in Tulsa with her three children and cat, Potato. She is passionate about native plants and restoring humanity’s relationship to the land and its inhabitants. She also enjoys Sudoku puzzles, earnest conversations over coffee or tea, and dad jokes

Questions

Contact Jessica Rowe Decker, Virtual Program Instructor by email at Jessica.Decker@ossm.edu or by phone at 405-521.6436 (OSSM receptionist).

OSSM’s Regional Centers

In addition to the Virtual Program, OSSM operates five regional centers throughout the state of Oklahoma. These are found in Enid (Autry Tech), Okmulgee (OSU-IT), Poteau (KTC), Stilwell (ICTC) and Tahlequah (ICTC).

Click here to learn more about OSSM’s Regional Centers.