BUSINESS: OK Christian Academy

Oklahoma Christian Academy recently welcomed a newly appointed president. Brandon Tatum took over for Floyd Coppedge, interim president, as of June 1. Coppedge, a well-known educator of 39 years, previously serving under former Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating for eight years as education secretary, led the search committee responsible for
hiring Tatum. Coppedge now serves as vice president of education for the school.

Tatum previously served as director of development for Brentwood Christian School in Austin, Texas which included approximately 700 students, pre-K4 (for 4-year-olds) through grade 12.

Oklahoma Christian Academy’s current enrollment is 252 with plenty of room to grow. The school boasts a student to teacher ratio of 11:1, and averages 15 students per classroom.

Established in the fall of 1987, the first class to graduate was in 1993. Oklahoma Christian Academy then consolidated all grades, pre-K through 12, onto one campus in August 2001.

“The term ‘Kingdom Education’ is what Oklahoma Christian Academy is all about and the foundation is Christ,” said Tatum. “Our teachers teach according to the core standard but they are also passionate about revealing God through the academic content. We teach core standards and curriculum from a Christian world view using a biblical perspective.”

Tatum adds, “I’m really excited about this being our first year to have a pre-K3 program for 3-year-olds. It’s a blessing to see the little ones on campus every day and our extended care program after school, open until 5:30 p.m., really helps our working parents.”

Well above the national average, 95 percent of Oklahoma Christian Academy seniors pursue college after graduation. The school often sends students to local career tech schools and encourages seniors to take college credit courses during the day, mostly from the University of Central Oklahoma and Oklahoma Christian University.

Extracurricular activities include photography, film, art, debate, theater, choir and more. The school offers 17 Class B sports teams for both boys and girls. This is also the first year they’ve re-established a competitive cheer team. Some of their ongoing sports teams include eight-man football, girls’ and boys’ basketball, girls’ softball, boys’ baseball and cross-country. Students are encouraged to participate in one or as many activities as they would like.

Tatum espouses Oklahoma Christian Academy’s mission statement: “To partner with parents to raise kids to love the Lord through an academic setting.”

For more information, contact the admissions office at 844-6478 or visit www.ocacademy.org. Oklahoma Christian Academy is located at 1101 E Ninth St. in Edmond.