OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma City Public Schools opened the 2025-26 school year Wednesday with the sounds of music, chatter, and at Classen School of Advanced Studies High School at Northeast, the rhythms of flamenco.
In a high school-level flamenco class led by 2025 district Teacher of the Year Erica Vasquez, students stomped, clapped and twirled their way into the new year.
“So here at Classen SAS at Northeast Dance Department, we focus on ballet and modern dance. And then the children have an opportunity … to take a flamenco course that’s open to the entire school building. And that has really been our shining star,” Vasquez told Free Press during a break.
The program began five years ago with just seven students. This year, it reached 28, three more than Vasquez is supposed to take.
“I can only accept 25, so I took over three more than I was supposed to. But I’m gonna take those babies, and it’s just, it’s incredible, as you saw. You know they love it,” she said.
Vasquez plans to introduce castanets and flamenco drumming this year, and the group already has about 15 community performances scheduled.
All students in the program also receive ballet and modern dance training.
“Our biggest goal is to expand within our community and to expose as many kids as we can,” she said. “All the kids are getting their ballet and modern training underneath all the flamenco.”
Leaders set tone for the year
District leaders visiting schools Wednesday said the first day brought encouraging signs and fresh goals.
OKCPS Superintendent Dr. Jamie C. Polk told us that she will focus on tracking academic progress more closely.
“Our board is asking that I report out monthly in regards of our goals. And so that will be first and foremost, rather than waiting to the end of the year,” Polk said.
Her second priority is to strengthen relationships with community partners.
“So then that way, when we call, they know we need them, come on and help, and so celebrate with us. This is going to be a community effort. We’re on the right track,” she said.
Polk said one of the biggest challenges is ensuring trust — both within the district and with the public.
“I’ve got to ensure trust,” said Polk. “From inside, internally, externally, I can go further down the road if there’s a trust element there.”
Board leaders see gains
Board Chair Paula Lewis, who was in the building, told us that early attendance numbers are breaking records compared with recent years, even before the official Oct. 1 count.
“We are becoming a first-choice district, and families are understanding the value we give to them and their kids for education,” Lewis said.
She added that certified teacher staffing is at 98% districtwide, with all pre-K and kindergarten classrooms staffed by certified teachers.
Lewis also pointed to progress on bond-funded construction projects, including new spaces at Belle Isle Middle School.
Board Vice Chair Lori Bowman, who has two children in OKCPS, was there for the first day and said she values bringing a parent’s perspective to the board.
“Absolutely I think it’s really important,” Bowman said.
She also noted that many students saw facility upgrades as they returned.
“Many of our kids … arrived at school this morning and saw some improvement to their building … and I think that it shows on day one our commitment. We made commitments to making these buildings the best,” Bowman said.
For more information about the district and this school year, visit okcps.org.
Brett is the founder, and editor in chief of Oklahoma City Free Press. He continues to contribute reporting and photography to the efforts of the publication as well as leadership in developing support.
