About Classen SAS Middle School

  • Overview

    Founded in 1920, Classen SAS Middle School recently celebrated 100 years of academic excellence within the oldest school building in Oklahoma City. In this historic building, Classen SAS Middle School students develop the foundation of skills that will prepare them for a seamless transition into a challenging and robust academic experience at Classen SAS high school at Northeast. 

    Classen SAS Middle School offers eligible, qualified students in grades 5th through 8th a rare and dynamic educational opportunity where they can select a major for their future high school path: 

    • The world-recognized International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, or 
    • The nationally-recognized Visual and Performing Arts Program

    In 2019, the vision of Classen SAS expanded to two campuses, which saw the high school moving to 3100 North Kelley and the middle school remaining at the 1901 North Ellison address. With two campuses united under one vision and offering expanded opportunities to more students than ever before, it's easy to see why Oklahoma City has truly become #CometCity. 

    Core Values

    The Classen School of Advanced Studies mission is to ensure that all students learn at high levels to become high quality, academically prepared, global citizens.

    Profile of a Successful Classen SAS Middle School Student 

    Classen School of Advanced Studies Middle School seeks to admit bright and promising students from a broad range of socioeconomic, cultural and Oklahoma City community origins.  We look for students who have the potential to develop academic competence, artistic talent, creativity and leadership.  We employ a variety of measures to predict a student’s preparedness to succeed at Classen.

    While academic successes gauged by test scores and grades are an important factor, subjective measures are utilized to measure a student’s willingness to take on the challenges of the Classen experience.

    Classen seeks to combine a diverse population of student interests that provide a rich variety of experiences and worldviews.  Learning to live in a diverse world transcends classroom interaction and promotes a community of reflective, principled and caring learners. The student selected for admission to Classen is one that will enrich the learning environment, thus increasing the value of education for the entire student body.

    Successful students at Classen shall make a commitment to the rigor of the requirements and will sacrifice some activities to fulfill that commitment.  Due to the nature of the college preparatory curriculum, students--with parental support--will be expected to be prepared to complete accelerated work at each grade level. 

    Programs

    By the end of their 5th grade year, students at Classen SAS Middle School will be required to choose an academic path by declaring a major in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program or in the Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) program.

    • About the International Baccalaureate Program

    Classen SAS students who choose this program will prepare for a future high school path that follows a two-year curriculum focused on the development of high quality, academically prepared global citizens. The general objectives of the IB Program are to provide students with a balanced education, to facilitate geographical and cultural mobility, and to promote international understanding through shared academic experiences. 

    The IB curriculum includes eight subject groups: Language acquisition, Language and literature, Individuals and societies, Sciences, Mathematics, Arts, Physical and health education, and Design.

    Students who choose this path will gain skills that will teach them how to think independently and drive their own learning, take part in programs of education that can lead them to some of the highest ranking universities around the world, become more culturally aware through the development of a second language, and be able to engage with people in an increasingly globalized, rapidly changing world.

    • About the Visual and Performing Arts Program 

    Classen SAS students who choose this program will prepare for a future high school path with rigorous conservatory-style training in the arts while offering a college preparatory academic program. The curriculum provides students the opportunity to pursue their goals and passion for the arts in a pre-professional learning environment.

    Students must audition for one of the eight art forms which they wish to study at Classen: Dance (Ballet and Modern Dance), Piano, Vocal Music, Concert Band, Concert Strings, Guitar, Drama/Theatre, and Visual Art. Students will perform for the school and the public through art exhibitions, drama productions, concerts and dance programs. 

    The program is demanding but the conservatory-style Visual and Performing Arts Program will provide students with ample opportunities for growth in valuable skills, such as high level problem solving and decision making, increasing motor skills and body connectivity, and finding connection and understanding to the world around us. Additionally, the program will steep students in the literature and culture of the arts, resulting in uniquely accomplished and educated students, well prepared for the professional and university worlds. 

    Grades Served

    5th through 8th

    School Hours

    9:00am to 4:00pm 

    Block Schedule

    Students at Classen SAS Middle School have eight classes in 90 minute blocks. Core classes and elective classes are equally weighted with four core classes and four major electives. 

    Athletics and Clubs

    Classen SAS Middle School participates in all OKCPS athletics and offers sports through the Police Athletic League (PAL) for 5th and 6th graders. Sports include Basketball, track, cross country, football, volleyball, softball, baseball, wrestling, and soccer. 

    In addition to athletics, students have access to a wide variety of clubs to fulfill hobbies, advocacy and interact with other students and staff who have their same interests. All school clubs are sponsored by school personnel and include language clubs, chess, guitar, hollywood and history club, gay-straight alliance club, black student union, book buddies, art, yearbook, pep club, international thespian society, and more.