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John Rex Charter Schools plans to open a downtown Oklahoma City high school in fall 2027, creating a continuous Pre-K–12 pathway for students and strengthening ties between education and the city’s job market. The move could reshape how families, employers and colleges connect with public schools in the urban core.
What the new campus will look like
The school will occupy a roughly 30,000-square-foot building at 615 N. Hudson Ave., renovated to support hands-on, collaborative learning rather than a conventional classroom layout. Administrators say spaces will be arranged to encourage project-based work and cross-disciplinary study.
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Officials expect the first group of ninth graders to start in the 2027–28 school year; the school will add one grade each year until it serves up to 12th grade.
Curriculum and partnerships
John Rex Polytechnic High School will blend traditional academic courses with applied learning tied to downtown institutions. Students will be connected to businesses, hospitals, universities, nonprofits and civic organizations for internships, mentorships and real-world projects.
- Six academic concentrations: engineering; cybersecurity and computer science; biomedical sciences; entrepreneurship; interdisciplinary studies; advanced academics.
- Goals: prepare students for college and careers while emphasizing critical thinking, communication and problem-solving.
- Phased enrollment: start with 9th grade in 2027–28 and grow a grade each year through 12th grade.
Dr. Rhonda Hart, named the founding principal, described the program as an effort to give students direct exposure to “people and organizations solving real problems,” enabling learners to see practical uses for their studies as they prepare to enter higher education or the workforce.
Why this matters for downtown Oklahoma City
Expanding John Rex into a full K–12 campus reflects broader efforts to make the city center a viable place to live and raise children. The original John Rex Elementary began as part of the MAPS for Kids initiative aimed at bolstering public education and encouraging residential growth downtown; adding a high school completes that vision.
The new school could offer employers a steady pipeline of locally educated talent and give students clearer routes to careers in sectors concentrated in the urban core, from healthcare to tech and civic services.
Funding and community support
Early financial backing has come from the Inasmuch Foundation’s Bedrock fund to support the capital campaign and development work. Downtown Oklahoma City, Inc. and the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber were also cited by school leaders for their early engagement with the project.
John Rex Superintendent Patrick Duffy framed the expansion as an extension of the school’s original mission to connect education and community, saying the high school is designed around downtown’s specific needs and opportunities.
Practical next steps:
- The lottery for the inaugural ninth-grade class opened on Nov. 11.
- Families can find enrollment information and updates on the school’s website.
As the project moves toward construction and program design, its real test will be whether downtown partnerships and a focused curriculum produce measurable outcomes—higher college enrollment, stronger job placement, or increased family retention in the city center. For current details and application guidance, visit the John Rex Polytechnic page on the school’s website.
