Classen High School of Advanced Studies

I was an IB senior and now a Freshman in college. Classen prepared me for college and life, now school is a breeze. I'm being paid to go to college. The school had wonderful teachers, a great atmosphere and I wouldn't have gone anywhere else. There isn't another place like Classen. The only thing that I wish was that they properly tell the students about IB and that it was worthless in the state of Oklahoma. It's a hard, grueling program that will beat down your body. The program is why I have many anxiety issues today. It's not the school, but IB that is the problem. Also it cost 300$ if you have money, luckily my family is in the lower income so I wasn't required to pay for my tests.
—Submitted by a student

I have two children at Classen SAS ( a VPA 9th grader & IB senior ) The school is GREAT! My son was accepted to OCU with a HUGE scholarship, my daughter is dancing her heart out. Both are A students. I am very involved with the administration and PTA. Such a great bargain (free). Both of my children went to a very expensive private school in OKC during elementary school-I glad they mad the move. The students are tolerant, expressive and awesome. There is not the prevelant "sports" culture at Classen-the "cool" kids are just as likely to be singers, science fair winners, dancers, or whizzes at math.
—Submitted by a parent

Classen School of Advanced Studies has helped my granddaughter develope her singing talents and taught her to plan piano. This school is a public school that you have to be excepted to for talents other than scholastic! It is wonderful!

a wonderfully diverse of mix of students are given the opportunity to pursue equally diverse fields of study.

I don't have a review - but would like if anyone could give me some information on getting my daughter enrolled - we've just moved from Arizona and I have yet to find info about enrollment. Thanks!

I'm a former student of this school, I left when I moved to another state, but apart from some teachers who don't pay attention to student's needs and the workload the school's funding goes to gardening to beautify the outside of the school while the inside falls apart...this school was okay, but it had more negatives to me than positive.
—Submitted by a student

Great place for students and parents who think outside the box - academically and artistically intensive, motivating, challenging, and inspiring!
—Submitted by a parent

Classen is the best high school in the State of Oklahoma!

Exellent and very talanted students, diversity and respect to culture, diversity, and students, outdtsnding principle, faculty that care and respect students and parents, and overal outstanding school!
—Submitted by a parent

Amazing mix of arts and academics. Produces wonderful young adults!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Class is ranked 14th in the nation (2009) by US Weekly. I am a current student there, and I love it. Although the stress of the overwhelming work can get to you, you are learning and preparing for a greater future. The International Baccalaureate (IB) program is mind-draining, life-consuming, wasteful program. The work overload sometimes is not 'worth' working for if you are not going to college outside of the U.S.. Most colleges in Oklahoma do not even recognize this program. IB requires a lot of work, essays, and time. It is a great school overall. Everyone gets along great and the school isn't that 'clique-y' as the other schools. When you first walk into Classen...you get the sense that you're at Juliard almost. You hear the ring of the choir, the plucking of guitars, the blowing of the band, and the bowing of the strings department. CSAS is the best.
—Submitted by a student

I am a current dance major at Classen SAS and I would like to defend my school from a claim made by a former student. While I do agree that VPA classes are easier than the IB course, you must realize that the students taking the IB courses have a completly different set of priorities than the academic mojors. VPA majors devote the majority of their time to their art form and should not be criticized for taking a class that is taught at a slower pace. I currently take all IB classes and fully understand why some people can not memorize 9 different sets of choregraphy as well as take rigorous academics. I believe that if your child is talented in any art form or academics then they will definitly flourish at Classen SAS as long as they have the drive to excell.(We need an upgraded building though!)
—Submitted by a student

I am a parent of two children who attended Classen from the reopening. I also taught at Classen and currently have two grandchildren who attend. As a parent, teacher and grandparent I have seen this school begin with far less than was promised, struggle and succeed. The power of Classen is the quality and energy of the student body. I've never been so happy to go to work as I was when I taught there. The combination of the two programs (IB and Arts) gives this school and its kids an unequalled and self-perpetuating balance of vision and opportunity. It does all this in an urban public school with a diverse and exceptional population. It is as good as it gets for teaching students to deal with their potential in real and meaningful ways.
—Submitted by a parent

Classen School is a wonderful school. It has a wonderfully diverse atmosphere with the arts program intermingled with the IB program. My daughter attended from 6-12 grade as an arts major. She was not considered a 'super achiever' when she started there. But by the time she graduated, she had earned scholarships for college. Once in college she excelled there with a relative amount of ease due to the preparation she received at Classen. The school has consistently performed well on tests and in interscholastic competitions state wide, regionally and nationally. Students learn how to interact with a diverse group of students and teachers.They are taught to be responsible for themselves and to take ownership in and be proactive about their learning. Outstanding preparation for life in the real world. They should be in a bigger and better building.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm a 2006 graduate and I'm slightly perplexed at many of the reviews that say the teachers are 'mediocre' and 'substandard.' While I agree that teachers are the ones that must guide and motivate students, the choice and path is ultimately for the student to make and take. While at CSAS, there were remarkably many students who, while very bright, did not perform as well in school as they could have - in the same classes and with the same teachers as I had. Therefore, what conclusion can be made but that the students themselves did not take themselves seriously enough or give themselves enough of a chance to succeed? That being said, I am very proud of the school, coming from both an artistic background (visual art and piano) and completing the IB program. I went on to attend an Ivy-league school, and love both high school and college.
—Submitted by a student

A wonderful school for anyone. 11 out of 10./
—Submitted by a student

I was an IB major at Classen, Class of 2000. Being IB, I was STRONGLY prepared for college. I went through with absolutely no problems. On the other had, I found (and still do from recent visits) that the 'arts' department is lacking in more than one way. Not only do the teachers have sub par standards for their students, but the majority of the art students portray their own department as an exscuse to slack off. Not to mention it is the fall back for those who start IB and can't makeit, or are merely too lazy. I believe if Classen would like to be seen as being 'the best of the best' then the administration either need to decide to terminate the arts area, or hold these students more accountable.
—Submitted by a former student

My child is enrolled in the visual arts 'major', aside from her art classes she is enrolled in 'IB' classes. I am not as impressed with the school after ~1/2 a year as I was in Aug. The best thing is that my child has formed some very strong friendships and feels a deep sense of pride in this school. As a research scientist I have not been impressed with the science program, despite claims to many teaching awards - learning how to make a flashy PowerPoint presentation is not science, and neither is 'Creationism'. The IB program has served many students well despite some mediocre teachers who owe their position to seniority over merit. The Principle owes the success of his students to their merit over the teachers - quality students will get better test scores, period.
—Submitted by Geoffrey Doyle, a parent

I am a parent of a current art student at Classen, and I couldn't be more happy. She transferred to Classen from Deer Creek, and her whole person improved. She became more confident, and actually had friends with the adademic and artistic drive as she did. Her SAT scores improved my almost 40%, and her grades in her advanced classes are excellent. Although some of the teachers are not the best, several members of the staff are pleasant and are determined to help their students succeed. The art program is rivaled only by Victory Christian School, and the teachers establish a life-long bond with each individual student.
—Submitted by a parent

I am an alumnus of Classen SAS and I would just like to add that Classen is unlike any school in the state of Oklahoma. As a child from elementary thrown straight into a 'high school', I have to say it was very hard. It took me some time getting use to and I feel the decision my mother made for me was the right decision. The arts programs seem to suffer on the behalf of the IB department but if you have a good teacher, they know how to work with what they have. I think the teachers for the performing arts do well with the little funding they have. I was fortunate enough to focus on music and still get an IB education, that's the beauty of Classen. I was able to develop a wonderful talent of music and an education I m proud of. I LOVE CLASSEN! l.kirkendol ('04)
—Submitted by a former student