10 things to know on the first day of school

A new school year arrives Monday for Oklahoma City Public Schools as the state's largest school district wraps up a summer of massive restructuring. Students and families will begin to process the full scope of changes brought on by school consolidations, known as the Pathway to Greatness plan.

1. The Oklahoma City school district has transformed over a single summer.

Oklahoma City Public Schools reconfigured 17 schools in the past three months, not including changes to alternative and charter schools in the city. Five elementary schools are now middle schools. Several middle and high schools have been split into multiple buildings. Feeder patterns have been rearranged. Superintendent Sean McDaniel said it was an “unbelievable lift to get schools ready so that our kids can enjoy that first day.”

2. Fifteen schools will not welcome students back this year.

A key piece of the Pathway to Greatness plan involved consolidating students into fewer buildings, meaning several schools permanently closed at the end of the 2018-19 academic year. Most of the closures affected elementary schools, but two high schools, Oklahoma Centennial and Northeast Academy, s hut down with other schools taking over their facilities.

3. Controversy over Northeast Academy continues.

Classen School of Advanced Studies moved its high school i nto t he f ormer Northeast Academy building, bringing its name, colors and mascot with i t. Many Northeast alumni and parents have s ai d t he change wipes away the legacy of Northeast Academy and, instead, the two schools should combine names. District school board member Charles Henry filed a lawsuit to compel the board to reconsider the renaming in a future meeting. The lawsuit is pending in Oklahoma City federal court.

4. One Harding school has moved. The other i sn't going anywhere.

The two Harding charter schools will no longer share the same building at 3333 N Shartel. When t he district announced its intention to close and sell the Harding building, Harding Charter Preparatory High School agreed to move into the vacant Oklahoma Centennial High School. Harding Fine Arts launched a fundraising campaign to purchase and renovate the Harding property. The district school board approved Harding Fine Arts' $500,000 bid to buy the building last month.

5. The district adds new STEM centers and athletic fields.

Corporate partnerships and the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation will finance 33 new learning centers for science, technology, engineering and math. This is enough to put a STEM center in every elementary school in the district. Local nonprofit Fields & Futures is leading construction on new athletic fields at seven middle schools. Every Oklahoma City middle school will have a futsal court built, as well.

6 . School bus ro ut es have changed and increased.

At least five more school bus routes have been added to the district transportation system. Administrators remapped bus routes after school consolidations affected every corner of the district. Many students will have to travel farther to and from school every day, leading the district to believe bus ridership will increase this year. Route information is available on okcps.org.

7. Seeworth Academy moves into Putnam Heights.

Oklahoma City Public Schools adopted Justice Alma Wilson Seeworth Academy, an alternative school, into the district this summer after the Seeworth board terminated the school's charter. The transition took an unexpected turn two weeks before the school year when the district learned Seeworth Inc. would not give up the lease for the school's property. The district quickly relocated Seeworth to the closed Putnam Heights Elementary building and unveiled a new name, Putnam Heights Academy.

8. Administrators anticipate consolidations will lead to academic success.

McDaniel said the district expects, not hopes, Pathway to Greatness will lead to higher reading and math scores from students. Cutting down on facilities freed up more dollars for the remaining schools. Administrators are l ooking for measurable results in the years ahead after pouring more academic and mental health resources into district schools.

9. The school year comes with a greater emphasis on mental health.

The district is pouring tens of thousands of dollars into EmbraceOKC, a program to support students' well-being through mental, physical, social and emotional health. The investment brought more counselors and nurses into Oklahoma City schools, which are taking a more trauma-informed approach to education. A newly created director of mental health position will help lead the initiative.

10. Challenges still lie ahead.

The transition still won't be easy, as the Pathway to Greatness plan has reshuffled almost the entire district. McDaniel acknowledged the widespread changes have required many schools and families to adjust. To counteract confusion, schools have hosted “Meet the Teacher” nights to familiarize families with their new schools. Open House nights will take place at every elementary school Sept. 5, at all middle schools Sept. 10 and at high schools Sept. 12.