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Created by legislative action in 1983, OSSM is Oklahoma’s two-year, public, residential high school for juniors and seniors with exceptional ability in science and mathematics. OSSM was recently named no. 24 Public High School in the nation by Newsweek and the leading public and STEM school in Oklahoma. The 148 students (76 seniors and 72 juniors) represent 73 high schools in 28 counties throughout the state of Oklahoma. Standardized testing is reported for domestic students only.
All of the 32 faculty members hold master’s degrees; 91 percent hold a doctorate in their academic discipline.
To educate students who show promise of exceptional academic development through a program of instruction and discovery that challenges them beyond the traditional high school model, imparting a superior foundation for careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.
Admission is a competitive process initiated by written application. Semifinalists are interviewed by a committee comprised of community leaders and faculty before final selection is determined.
Due to the fact that all academic courses are advanced and/or accelerated honors-level courses, OSSM does not calculate grade point averages or class ranking.
OSSM does not offer AP courses. OSSM’s college-level curriculum includes courses in Microbiology, Biochemistry, Neurobiology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Genetics, Endocrinology, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Geoscience, Organic Chemistry, Data Structures, Computer Architecture and Assembly, Java Programming, Multivariate Calculus, Differential Equations, Number Theory, Linear Algebra, Abstract Algebra, Real Analysis, Physics: Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Thermal Physics, Waves and Optics, Modern Physics.
Each science class at OSSM includes three hours of lecture and a two- or three-hour laboratory session per week.
OSSM offers opportunities for students to pursue academic interests to the highest levels. These courses regularly include topics in Theoretical Physics, Advanced Genetics, and Chemistry, as well as Literature, History, and Modern Politics. Directed studies are not counted towards graduation requirements and are not graded.
The academic year is comprised of two semesters. Final grades are given after the eighteenth week of each semester. Students are required to sit for a comprehensive three-hour final in each course.
Due to the rigor of our college-level courses, we suggest the following grading scale be used to evaluate a student’s coursework:
87 -100 = A
77 – 86 = B
70 – 76 = C
<70 = No credit received
Students receive a Pass (P) for physical education and fine arts. Mentorships also receive a Satisfactory (S) or Pass grade.
OSSM students must successfully complete a minimum of sixteen (16) units: one unit of biology; one unit of chemistry; one and one-half units of physics; one unit of science electives; two units of mathematics (inclusive of calculus); two units of English; two units of history; two units of the same foreign language; one- half unit of computer science; one unit of fine arts; two units of physical education.
60 hours of community service and 60 hours of school service are also required.
More than 60% of OSSM students participate in independent research, receiving hands-on experience in their field of interest outside of the classroom. Mentorships have been a part of the academic program at the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics since the first graduating class.
The proximity of OSSM to the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation as well as other organizations in Oklahoma City allows students to have the opportunity to work alongside nationally acclaimed researchers, physicians, engineers, and business people.
ACT (juniors and seniors)
English Math Reading Science Composite
32.2 31.6 32.7 31.4 32.1
SAT (juniors and seniors)
EBRW Mean Math Mean Total Mean
684 722 1415
Arizona State University-Tempe, Baylor University, Belmont University, Boston College, Boston University (4), Brandeis University, California Institute of Technology, Cameron University, Campbell University, Carnegie Mellon University (3), Case Western Reserve University (3), College of the Atlantic, Colorado College, Colorado School of Mines, Columbia University (3), Concordia University-Chicago (3), Cornell University, Duke Kunshan University, Duke University (3), Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach, Emory University, Emory University–Oxford College, George Washington University, Grinnell College (2), Hamilton College, Harvard College (2), Harvey Mudd College, Lehigh University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (4), Missouri Southern State University, New York University (2), Northwestern University (4), Nova Southeastern University, NYU Shanghai, Oberlin College, Oklahoma City University (2), Oklahoma State University (19), Oregon State University, Princeton University (5), Purdue University (3), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Rice University (4), Rochester Institute of Technology, Saint Louis University Medical Scholars Program (2), Southern Methodist University, Southwestern Oklahoma State University (2), Stanford University (3), The University of Alabama, The University of Texas at Austin (7), Trinity College Dublin, Trinity University–San Antonio (2), Tulane University (2), United States Merchant Marine Academy, United States Naval Academy, University of California, San Diego, University of California-Berkeley, University of California-Los Angeles, University of Central Oklahoma, University of Chicago (5), University of Delaware, University of Kansas, University of Michigan (2), University of Missouri-Kansas City BA/MD Program (2), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Notre Dame (2), University of Oklahoma (123), University of Pennsylvania (5), University of Portland (2), University of Rochester, University of Southern California (6), University of Tampa, University of Tulsa (19), Vanderbilt University (6), Vassar College, Washington and Lee University, Washington University in St Louis (8), Wesleyan University, Williams College, Yale University
*Semifinal Competition for the Biology Olympiad was canceled due to COVID-19.
This publication is issued by The Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics as authorized by the School President. Copies have been distributed electronically and in print upon demand. An electronic copy has been deposited with the Publications Clearinghouse of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries.
