The Oklahoma City Public Schools Board of Education has unanimously voted to terminate its contract with the Oklahoma Public Montessori Initiative. The decision, made on September 15, 2025, follows a mutual agreement between the two parties, citing significant challenges that prevented the charter school from preparing to open for the 2025-2026 school year.
The planned school, which would have been the first public Montessori institution in Oklahoma City, faced scrutiny over its failure to secure a suitable facility and meet other operational requirements outlined in its charter agreement. The rescission marks the end of a contentious process that began with the school's controversial approval in late 2023.
Key Takeaways
- The OKCPS board voted 7-0 to rescind the charter contract with the Oklahoma Public Montessori Initiative (OPMI).
- The decision was mutual, attributed to "irreconcilable differences" and OPMI's inability to open by the 2025-2026 school year.
- Key issues included a lack of a physical location, financial restrictions, and an incomplete governing board.
- The school's initial approval in November 2023 was notable because it scored lower than other charter applications that were denied.
- OKCPS has opened two new classrooms at Horace Mann Elementary to accommodate families seeking alternative education.
Unanimous Vote Ends Charter Agreement
During its meeting on Monday, September 15, the OKCPS Board of Education voted 7-0 to formally rescind the charter contract with OPMI. The move finalizes a process that started on June 2, when the board approved a notice alleging a breach of contract by the Montessori group.
Board Chairwoman Paula Lewis explained the district's position in a prepared statement. She noted that concerns about OPMI's progress emerged earlier in the year, primarily centered on its ability to find a suitable building.
"While securing space was a primary challenge, there were additional factors that made it difficult to meet the established timeline requirements," Lewis stated. "After thoughtful consideration, both Oklahoma City Public Schools and Oklahoma Public Montessori Initiative have agreed that it is in the best interest of all involved to mutually end the agreement."
Rico Smith, the chairman of OPMI's board, confirmed the rescission was a joint decision. He said the uncertainty of the planning process hindered the school's ability to move forward effectively. "Throughout this process, we have remained deeply committed to bringing a high-quality, authentic Montessori option to families in our community," Smith said.
What is a Montessori School?
The Montessori method is an educational approach that emphasizes student-led learning in a specially prepared environment. Classrooms often feature mixed-age groups, and students work with the same teacher for multiple years. The focus is on hands-on activities and individual exploration of subjects that interest the student.
A History of Concerns and Deficiencies
The termination of the contract was preceded by months of mounting concerns over OPMI's operational readiness. During the board's June 2 meeting, OKCPS general counsel Tony Childers outlined several critical gaps in the school's preparations.
Identified Readiness Gaps
According to Childers' presentation, the district identified several key areas where OPMI failed to meet its obligations. These included:
- Insufficient Facilities: The organization had not secured a physical location for the school.
- Financial Issues: Expenditures were frozen, and the school faced financial restrictions.
- Leadership Shortage: There was a cited lack of leadership to guide the school toward opening.
- Incomplete Board: OPMI's governing board had only three members, while OKCPS policy requires a minimum of five.
These issues were not new. In fact, many of the same problems were present in the district's initial analysis when the board first reviewed OPMI's application in November 2023.
Despite low scores in its initial evaluation—including a zero for facilities and ones for transportation, nutrition, and finance—the OKCPS board approved OPMI's charter application on November 27, 2023.
Controversial Approval and Community Impact
The board's decision to approve OPMI in 2023 was controversial. At the same meeting, the board denied applications from three other charter schools that had scored as well or better in the district's analysis. Those schools were all proposed for Oklahoma City's historically Black eastside, while OPMI was planned for the more affluent northwest Oklahoma City and Nichols Hills areas.
At the time, board member Lori Bowman, who initially voted against OPMI before changing her vote to approve it, cited a desire for innovation. "We can use these as a laboratory for learning about what works, what families want and what benefits Oklahoma City kids," Bowman said after the 2023 vote. Following the recent rescission, Bowman declined to comment.
Since the school never opened, no students were ever enrolled. Crystal Raymond, the district's director of strategic communications, confirmed this fact. To address the need for more educational options, Lewis announced that OKCPS has opened two additional classrooms at Horace Mann Elementary, which are now fully enrolled.
The Future of Montessori and Charter Schools in OKC
While OPMI's failure is a setback for public Montessori education in the city, other organizations are working to fill the void. P3 Urban Montessori, whose application was rejected by OKCPS in November 2023, later received approval from the Statewide Charter School Board in March. It plans to open in fall 2026, serving students in northeast Oklahoma City.
Another school, Rise STEAM Academy, also had its application denied by OKCPS in December 2023 but was subsequently approved by the board in January 2024. The school is now open and serves elementary students in the northeast part of the city.
For OPMI, the path forward is unclear. While charter schools in Oklahoma can seek authorization from other bodies like universities or the Statewide Charter School Board, the failure to launch under OKCPS sponsorship presents a significant challenge to its future prospects.
