View source for Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics

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{{infobox school
| name         = Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics
| image        = Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics (logo).jpg
| address      = 1141 North Lincoln Boulevard
| state        = [[Oklahoma]]
| city         = [[Oklahoma City]]
| zipcode      = 73104
| country      = [[United States]]
| campus_size  = 32 acres
| established  = {{start date and age|1983|p=1}}
| type         = [[Public school (government funded)|Public]] [[Boarding School]]
| president    = Tony Cornforth
| grades       = [[Eleventh grade|11]]–[[Twelfth grade|12]]
| gender       = [[Co-ed]]
| enrollment   = 175 
| ceeb         = 372684
| affiliations = NCSSS
| website      = https://www.ossm.edu/
}}

The '''Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics (OSSM)''' is a two-year, public residential high school located in [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma]]. Established by the [[Oklahoma Legislature|Oklahoma state legislature]] in 1983, the school was designed to educate academically gifted high school juniors and seniors in advanced mathematics and science. OSSM opened doors to its inaugural class in 1990. It is a member of the National Consortium of Secondary STEM Schools (NCSSS).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ncsss.org/membership/institutional-members|title=NCSSS Institutional Members|publisher=}}</ref>

==History==
Dr. Earl Mitchell is credited as the originator of the idea of starting OSSM. He was reportedly inspired by a letter about the [[North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics]] (NCSSM), written by North Carolina governor [[Jim Hunt]].<ref name="10yr">{{cite news | last=Plumberg | first=Diane| title=Elite school marks 10 years Science, math academy proves worth to critics | work=[[The Oklahoman]] | date=2000-10-09 | url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2000/10/09/elite-school-marks-10-years-science-math-academy-proves-worth-to-critics/62176669007/ | access-date=2022-05-10}}</ref> In 1982, Dr. Mitchell travelled to NCSSM to study their practices, and enlisted Speaker [[Daniel Draper|Dan Draper]], Representative [[Penny Williams]], and Senator [[Bernice Shedrick]] to help bring the idea to fruition.<ref>{{cite web | title=Uncrowned Community Builders | website=Uncrowned Community Builders | url=https://www.uncrownedcommunitybuilders.com/ | access-date=2022-05-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=2020-21 Annual Report | website=OSSM Foundation | url=https://www.ossmfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/OSSM-AnnualReport-2020-2021-Digital.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510004521/https://www.ossmfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/OSSM-AnnualReport-2020-2021-Digital.pdf | archive-date=2022-05-10 | url-status=live | access-date=2022-05-10}}</ref>

OSSM was established by HB 1286 in 1983, during the [[39th Oklahoma Legislature]]. The bill's principal authors included Representative Penny Williams, Senator Bernice Shedrick, and Senator [[Rodger Randle]]. The bill was signed into law by Governor [[George Nigh]] on June 23, 1983.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ossm.edu/ossm-news/30th-anniversary-of-legislation/ |title=30th Anniversary of Legislation |date=30 June 2019 |access-date=2022-01-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108232735/https://www.ossm.edu/ossm-news/30th-anniversary-of-legislation/ |archive-date=2022-01-08 }}</ref>

In 1988, [[Edna Manning|Dr. Edna Manning]] was appointed the first president of OSSM. Manning aided in the building and development of the institution, supervising the selection of faculty and the development of the curriculum.<ref name="manningHOF">{{Cite web |url=http://www.oklahomahealthcenter.com/secondary.php?module=news&section=5&catid=12&id=90&archived=show |title=OSSM President Inducted into Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame |date=2007-10-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008232101/http://www.oklahomahealthcenter.com/secondary.php?module=news&section=5&catid=12&id=90&archived=show |archive-date=2011-10-08 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

When OSSM's inaugural class was accepted in 1990, the school did not have its own campus yet. Students were temporarily housed in [[University of Oklahoma|OU]]'s Cross Center dormitory in [[Norman, Oklahoma|Norman]], and took daily shuttle buses to the [[University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center|OU Health Sciences Center (OUHSC)]] campus in [[Oklahoma City]] for their classes.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/1990/08/19/science-math-schools-ultimate-test-to-begin/62555208007/ |title=Science, Math School's Ultimate Test to Begin |date=August 19, 1990 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418202505/https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/1990/08/19/science-math-schools-ultimate-test-to-begin/62555208007/ |archive-date=2022-04-18 |author-first=Jim |author-last=Killackey |periodical=[[The Oklahoman]] |publisher=[[Gannett]] }}</ref>
In 1992, OSSM moved into the newly-renovated Lincoln Elementary School, across the street from the OUHSC. During Dr. Manning's tenure as president, the school's campus grew to include a dormitory, a gymnasium, a library, and a science building.<ref name="manningHOF" />

In 2006, [[Chesapeake Energy]] gifted OSSM $500,000 to fund an endowed faculty chair in geophysics, the first endowed chair at an Oklahoma public high school.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.edweek.org/education/gas-company-endows-chair-at-okla-math-science-school/2006/12 |title=Gas Company Endows Chair at Okla. Math-Science School |date=December 19, 2006 |author-first=Jessica |author-last=Tonn |periodical=[[EducationWeek]] |publisher=Editorial Projects in Education, Inc. }}</ref>

In June 2012, Dr. Manning retired from her position as president,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.edmondsun.com/local/x1856219961/Manning-retires-from-OSSM |title=Manning retires from OSSM |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514130121/http://www.edmondsun.com/local/x1856219961/Manning-retires-from-OSSM |archive-date=2012-05-14 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and was succeeded by Dr. Frank Y.H. Wang.<ref name="WangRetire1">{{Cite news |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/lifestyle/2021/07/14/ossm-president-retire-end-2021-22-school-year/7820868002/ |title=Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics president to retire |date=July 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418172945/https://www.oklahoman.com/story/lifestyle/2021/07/14/ossm-president-retire-end-2021-22-school-year/7820868002/ |archive-date=2022-04-18 |author=<!--not stated--> |periodical=[[The Oklahoman]] |publisher=[[Gannett]] }}</ref> During his tenure, Dr. Wang increased contributions to the OSSM Foundation Faculty Endowment from $4.2 million to $10 million.<ref name="WangRetire3">{{Cite press release |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211209005163/en/ |title=Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics Begins Leader Search for State's Leading Public and STEM High School |date=December 9, 2021 |author=<!--not stated--> |publisher=[[Business Wire]] |agency=[[Berkshire Hathaway]] }}</ref>

On May 31, 2013, the [[54th Oklahoma Legislature]] passed SB 1131, authored by Senator [[Clark Jolley]], and signed into law by Governor [[Mary Fallin]]. The bill allows OSSM to accept out-of-state students for up to 10 percent of the student population and charge them tuition. It also allows the school to rent out its facilities, and create summer programs & workshops for which tuition and fees could be charged.<ref name="SB1131">{{Cite act |url=https://legiscan.com/OK/bill/SB1131/2013 |type=Senate Bill |index=1131 |title=An Act relating to the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics |date=May 31, 2013 }}</ref> Dr. Wang helped create the bill in an effort to generate a new revenue stream, to make up for money lost to severe cuts in state funding.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://journalrecord.com/2014/04/29/ossm-to-accept-out-of-state-students-charge-tuition-finance/ |title=Doing the math for budget problems: Out-of-state tuition to help cover OSSM funding shortfall |date=April 29, 2014 |author-first=Heide |author-last=Brandes |periodical=[[The Journal Record]] |agency=[[New Media Investment Group]] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://journalrecord.com/2015/04/21/math-problems-magnet-school-seeks-funding-answers-as-okc-council-urges-legislature-to-help-capitol/ |title=Math problems: Magnet school seeks funding answers as OKC Council urges Legislature to help |date=April 21, 2015 |author-first=Brian |author-last=Brus |periodical=[[The Journal Record]] |agency=[[New Media Investment Group]] }}</ref>

In June 2021, Dr. Wang announced he will retire at the end of the 2021-22 school year.<ref name="WangRetire1" /><ref name="WangRetire2">{{Cite news |url=https://www.swoknews.com/news/oklahoma-school-of-science-and-mathematics-president-frank-wang-will-retire-at-end-of-2021/article_68251d82-979d-5339-a755-2dd314384733.html/ |title=Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics president Frank Wang will retire at end of 2021-22 school year |date=June 30, 2021 |author=<!--not stated--> |periodical=[[Lawton Constitution]] }}</ref>

==General==
Admittance to OSSM is conducted through a highly selective application process, with acceptance rates varying over time. The application process consists of five short essays, submission of high school transcripts and standardized test scores (such as the [[ACT (examination)|ACT]]), recommendations from teachers and counselors, personal questionnaires of the student, a statement from the student's parents, and an on-campus interview.<ref>[http://www.ossm.edu/admissions/admissions-process/ Admission information]</ref>

Students are accepted from all over the state of [[Oklahoma]], and students from each of Oklahoma's 77 counties have been selected to attend. Because students hail from across the state, all are required to live on campus during the week. Classes are held five days a week, with the earliest classes starting at 8{{nbsp}}am and the latest ending at 5:30{{nbsp}}pm. Some classes, such as astronomy lab and special topics classes, are held at night. Most students have breaks throughout the day depending on their individual, college-style schedule. Students are not allowed in the dorm during their breaks in the academic day, but are to stay academically engaged during these periods.  Required physical education classes are held in the afternoon with each student participating in 45 minutes of supervised physical activity twice a week. Fine arts classes (two semesters are required for graduation) are also held in the evenings. One Saturday a month, students are required to take a three-hour test in math, physics, literature, history, or a national standardized test ([[ACT (test)|ACT]], [[SAT]], or [[PSAT/NMSQT|PSAT]]). Two weekends a month is called an open weekend, with the students allowed to either go home or stay in the dorms, and the other weekend is an extended weekend with all students required to leave campus.

As part of OSSM's academic program, two hours of study are required each weeknight from 8 to 10{{nbsp}}pm, with students on structured study (resulting from unfortunate grades) required to study for an additional hour each night, beginning at 7{{nbsp}}pm. Lights out is at 11{{nbsp}}pm every night of the week, and internet access is shut off in the dormitories at that time. OSSM fulfills its educational mission at no charge to its students: tuition, books and other class materials, as well as room and board, are all provided by the taxpayers of the State of Oklahoma.

One hundred percent of OSSM graduates are college-bound, and approximately 60% of OSSM graduates choose to remain in-state for college. Of the 1,211 (as of May 2011) graduates since the school's inception, 323 students have been named [[National Merit Scholar]]s, and an additional 167 students have been selected as National Merit Commended Scholars. Graduates also show exemplary performance in other national scholarship programs, with 227 graduates selected as [[Robert C. Byrd]] Scholars, and 124 students nominated for the [[Presidential Scholar|Presidential Scholars Program]], of whom thirteen were named semifinalists and five selected as Presidential Scholars. Graduates excel in statewide scholarship programs, with 553 students receiving Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Scholarships and 92 students named Academic All-Staters by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. Twice, in 1998 and again in 2000, the school had the highest [[ACT (examination)|ACT]] composite scores of any high school in the nation. OSSM is also listed as one of the best public high schools in the nation by the Washington Post, in a list of top-performing schools with elite students.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/top-performing-schools-with-elite-students/2015/04/14/a41149bc-e30c-11e4-905f-cc896d379a32_story.html Top-performing schools with elite students - The Washington Post | Education]</ref>

==Academics==

OSSM's graduation requirements include four semesters of History, four semesters of Literature, two years of the same foreign language (unless this was completed at the student's previous high school), one semester of computer science, four semesters of mathematics including math through Calculus II, three semesters of physics including physics through Electricity and Magnetism, two semesters of chemistry, two semesters of biology, four semesters of physical education, two semesters of fine arts, and two semesters of science, math, or computer science electives.<ref name="Course Descriptions">[http://www.ossm.edu/academics/course-descriptions/ Course Descriptions]</ref> OSSM regularly offers the following classes:<ref name="Course Descriptions" />

{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
* '''Biology''': Zoology, Plant and Soil Science, Genetics, Anatomy and Physiology, Endocrinology, Embryology, Microbiology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Psychology, and Neuroscience.
* '''Chemistry''': Introduction to Chemistry, General Chemistry I, General Chemistry II, Organic Chemistry I, Organic Chemistry II, Biochemistry, and Physical Chemistry.
* '''Computer Science''': Introduction to Computer Science, Object Oriented Programming with Java, Data Structures I, Data Structures II, Computer Architecture, and Operating Systems.
* '''Foreign Languages''': Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Latin, and Spanish.
* '''Geoscience''': Exploration Geoscience, Geoscience Seminar
* '''Humanities''': American Literature, World Literature, American History, East Asian History, Modern Middle East, American Film, Music, and Society, Foreign Policy, and History of Western Traditions I and II
* '''Physics''': General Physics, Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Thermal Waves and Optics, Astronomy, Modern Physics I, Modern Physics II, Electronic Circuits, and Theoretical Physics.
* '''Mathematics''': Pre-Calculus II, Pre-Calculus III, Calculus I, Calculus II, Multivariate Calculus, Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, and Probability and Statistics.
* '''Elective Courses''': Abstract Algebra (Mathematics), Chemical Thermodynamics (Chemistry), Real Analysis (Mathematics), Foundations of Mathematics (Mathematics), and other classes have also been offered.
* '''Fine Arts''': Jazz Band, Beginning Guitar, Intermediate Guitar, Drawing, Mixed Media, Sculpture, Abstract Painting, Fiber Arts, Photography,  Ballroom Dance, Studio Dance, and Mosaics.
}}

Additionally, students may arrange to take directed studies with faculty members. Many OSSM students choose to participate in the mentorship program in their senior year, in which they perform research with a mentor (who may be an OSSM faculty member, or an off campus expert).

==Campus==
{{unreferenced section|date=February 2021}}
OSSM is located on thirty-two acres at the northwest corner of 10th Avenue and Lincoln Boulevard near downtown [[Oklahoma City]], near the [[University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center]]. Its main academic building, Lincoln School, was built in 1903, and used as an elementary school, then torn down and rebuilt in 1948 [[Oklahoma City Public Schools]] and used until the 1980s. This building houses a computer lab, the campus auditorium, nineteen classrooms, six labs, a student lounge, a study area, basement, and faculty and administrative offices. The Dan Little Residence Hall, with a capacity of nearly 300 students and twelve faculty families, was completed in 1998, located at the center of campus, complete with a basement containing billiards, game tables, and a TV for students to use during their nightly free time. The basement is also a reinforced storm shelter and is large enough to house the entire school population.  The Gymnasium, opened in March 1999, provides a full-size basketball court, a weight room, and a dance floor, among other amenities. The Samson Science and Discovery Center was completed in 2001 and houses three chemistry labs, four physics labs, one computer lab, and one demonstration/lecture room, as well as many personal research labs. In Fall 2003, the Senator Bernice Shedrick Library opened, with a capacity of 50,000 books and 10 computers for student use.

In 2000 the school was scheduled to open remote centers in [[Enid, Oklahoma|Enid]] and [[Tahlequah, Oklahoma|Tahlequah]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Greiner|first1=John|last2=Killackey|first2=Jim|url=https://www.oklahoman.com:443/story/news/1999/08/25/enid-tahlequah-to-get-branches-for-science-math/62231120007/|title=Enid, Tahlequah To Get Branches For Science, Math|newspaper=[[The Oklahoman]]|place=[[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma]]|date=1999-08-25|accessdate=2023-04-23}}</ref>

==Demographics==
* Student Body: 144
* Average Class Size: 15–18, though many upper-level classes are smaller
* Male-Female Ratio: 1:1

==Notable alumni==
* [[Rhiju Das]], '95<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ossmfoundation.org/ossm-alumnus-on-front-lines-of-researching-covid-19-vaccine/ |title=OSSM alumnus on front lines of researching COVID-19 vaccine |date=May 22, 2020 |website=www.ossmfoundation.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418164357/https://www.ossmfoundation.org/ossm-alumnus-on-front-lines-of-researching-covid-19-vaccine/ |archive-date=April 18, 2022 }} Retrieved on 18 April 2022.</ref>
* [[Nancy Chen]]

==See also==
* [[Alabama School of Mathematics and Science]]
* [[Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts]]
* [[Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky]]
* [[Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics]]
* [[Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy]]
* [[Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities]]
* [[Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science]]
* [[Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts]]
* [[Maine School of Science and Mathematics]] 
* [[Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science]]
* [[North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics]]
* [[South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics]]
* [[Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science]]

==References==
{{reflist}} 6. https://cen.acs.org/articles/93/i35/Oklahoma-Chemist-AwardK-Fazlur-Rahman.html#:~:text=A.K.%20Fazlur%20Rahman-,A.%20K.,of%20a%20plaque%20and%20%241%2C000.
7.https://www.inverse.com/article/44254-high-school-student-george-wang-carbon-7-bonds

8. https://stateimpact.npr.org/oklahoma/2018/05/10/oklahoma-high-school-student-makes-scientific-discovery-by-questioning-common-knowledge/#:~:text=George%20Wang%2C%20a%20senior%20at,in%20Oklahoma%20City%2C%20is%20ecstatic.

9. Ab initio calculations of ionic hydrocarbon compounds with heptacoordinate carbon, G. Wang, A. K. F. Rahman, Bin Wang*, J. Mol. Model. 24, 116 (2018)
+ This work has been featured on a few public media, including a feature story "Oklahoma High School Student Makes Scientific Discovery By Questioning Common Knowledge" at the STATEIMPACT Oklahoma, Oklahoma Radio NPR, "A High Schooler Has Upended a Fundamental Chemistry Theory" at INVERSE,  "A High School Kid From Oklahoma Just Made A Massive Breakthrough In Chemistry" at IFL Science, and a broad discussion on Reddit.

==External links==
* {{official website|http://www.ossm.edu/}}
* [http://www.ossmfoundation.org/ The OSSM Foundation]

{{Oklahoma education agencies}}
{{Oklahoma City}}
{{Public boarding schools in the United States}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Oklahoma School Of Science And Mathematics}}
[[Category:Boarding schools in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Schools in Oklahoma City]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1983]]
[[Category:Gifted education]]
[[Category:Public high schools in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:1983 establishments in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Public boarding schools in the United States]]