McAlester Public Schools
The McAlester Public School District is a school district that competes and is classified as a 4A/5A school district in McAlester, Oklahoma. Their mascot is the Buffalo. "Go Buffs".
McAlester High School hosts BUFF TV, a television station on local channel 16 that is an operated by the MHS students and managed by Cory Richards and Steve Lemmons. In 2008, The Buff T.V. Award was given to a student every that shows their dedication to the channel the first recipient to this award was Senior Tyler Wilson.
McAlester Public Schools has a long tradition of excellence, starting with the first high school graduating class in 1903. Our graduates have gone on to achieve significant positions, such as: United States Congress Speaker of the House of Representatives; Governor of Oklahoma; Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice; Five Star General; as well as many renowned alumni in the fields of professional athletics, art, music, business, and education. Following in their footsteps, the graduates of 2010 were awarded over $2.5 million in scholarships. Of the 100 Oklahoma Academic All Staters selected annually by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence since 1990, twenty-four have been McAlester High School Seniors.
- In 2010, MHS students celebrated both a State Championship in Girls Basketball and State Runner-Up in Softball.
- "The Pride of McAlester" MHS Marching Band has received eleven State Sweepstakes Awards in the past thirteen years.
- All three MPS Early Childhood Centers have been recognized as Great Expectations Model Schools.
- The average ACT Composite Score for the 2010 MHS graduating class is above both and state and national averages.
- Three MPS Teachers have been named finalist in the Oklahoma Teacher of the Year competition since 2006.
- Advanced degrees are held by 26.9% of the MPS faculty.
- Former MPS Superintendent, Dr. Lucy F. Smith, is a member of the Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame.
- MPS boasts of ten individuals who are members of Oklahoma Coaching Halls of Fame.
Schools
There are 3 early childhood centers, 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, 2 secondary schools and an adult education program in the McAlester Public School District.
Secondary:
- McAlester High School serves grades 9-12, The principal is Paula Meadows.
- Key Academy serves grades 9-12 alternative education program. The director is Raymond Wilson.
Middle:
- Puterbaugh Middle School serves grades 7-8, and has just acquired a new roof. The principal is Caroline Miller, the Vice Principal is Jacob Lowe.
Elementary:
- Parker Intermediate Center serves grades 5-6, principal is Kevin Younger.
- Edmond Doyle Elementary School serves grades 1-4, principal is Kathy Hunt.
- Emerson Elementary School serves grades 1-4, principal is Jamie Price.
- Will Rogers Elementary School serves grades 1-4, principal is Dawn Testa.
Early Childhood Centers:
- William Gay ECC serves both Pre-K & Kindergarten, principal is Sabra Tucker.
- Jefferson ECC serves Pre-K, principal is Chad Gragg.
- Washington ECC serves K, principal is Lisa Mitchell.
Adult Education and Literacy
- The MPS Adult Education and Literacy Office offers FREE classes for adults. For your convenience, classes are offered morning, afternoon, and evening in and around the McAlester area. Adults that need to improve in reading, writing and/or math may enroll in these classes. Class study can be used to help you get your GED, help prepare you for college, or to get a job promotion. GED tests are offered monthly. The director of this program is Vanessa Cummings.
Athletics
McAlester offers many sports including soccer, football, softball, volleyball, boys' basketball, girls' basketball, baseball, wrestling, cross country, track, pom squad, cheerleading, marching band, weightlifting, boys' golf, girls' golf, bowling, and tennis. The Athletic Department has a total of 24 team state championships, 1 team national championship, and 20 individual state champions.
