Jenks Public Schools, inspired by a tradition of excellence, is committed to the shared responsibility of preparing all learners for productive, responsible citizenship in an ever-changing world.
Jenks Public Schools, a community of diverse learners, creates opportunities for all through a commitment to innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Compassion, Courage, Inclusiveness, Integrity, Perseverance, Respect, Responsibility, Self-Discipline, Sportsmanship, Teamwork
A Tradition of Excellence with a Vision for Tomorrow
There is power in numbers. When our students and staff members come together with a common goal or purpose, they move our District forward. Collectively, we are a strong, tightly-knit Trojan family. However, any success attained by Jenks Public Schools is often directly connected to the daily drive, dedication, and decision-making of an individual student or employee. As we kicked off the 2023-24 school year, every one of our staff members was challenged to “be the one” by seizing opportunities to make a difference in the life of a student or a colleague. Whether it was an enormous gesture or generosity or something as simple as a smile, a high-five, or a few words of encouragement, one action can change the trajectory of someone’s day or possibly, their life.
Throughout the year, I witnessed JPS employees fully embracing their role as “the one.” I saw teachers relentlessly advocate for students, often serving as one of the few people in a student’s life who believed they were capable of something great. Principals empowered students to embrace leadership and take ownership of their schools. Older students followed the example by mentoring younger students, while groups at Jenks High School and Jenks Middle School promoted awareness of mental health and the importance of treating one another with kindness and respect.
Yes, we are here to teach. Our students are learning in core subject areas and gaining a better understanding of how to navigate the ever-changing world. But they are also growing. As young people, as citizens, as the future leaders of our community and country, they are finding their voice and realizing their potential. For many, JPS is the one place they feel seen and heard. For others, our schools present the one pathway or the one open door they need to unlock their purpose. Everything in a student’s life can change because of one person, one moment, one interaction.
To “be the one” means our people continually put students first and think of others' needs before their own. What we do here is important, but I’m most proud of who we are. Spend a few minutes flipping the pages of this report, volunteer in one of our classrooms, or visit a school site, and you will see the evidence everywhere you look.
Thank you!
Dr. Stacey Butterfield, Ed.D Superintendent
Jenks Public Schools
Pre-K-4th Grade
School Day: 8:30 a.m.-3:10 p.m.
East Elementary
Enrollment: 1,422 students
Northwest Elementary
Enrollment: 1,001 students
Southeast Elementary
Enrollment: 832 students
West Elementary Enrollment: 2,031 students
5th & 6th Grade
School Day: 7:45 a.m.-2:25 p.m.
East Intermediate
Enrollment: 820 students
West Intermediate
Enrollment: 1,077students
School Day: 9:15 a.m.-3:55 p.m.
Middle School
7th & 8th Grade
Enrollment: 1,885 students
Freshman Academy 9th Grade
Enrollment: 949 students
Alternative Center
9th-12th Grade
Enrollment: 141 students
High School 10th-12th Grade
Enrollment: 2,643 students Total District Enrollment: 12,660 Students
*as of October 1, 2023
NORTHWEST ELEMENTARY
WEST ELEMENTARY
WEST INTERMEDIATE
CENTRAL CAMPUS: FRESHMAN ACADEMY ALTERNATIVE CENTER HIGH SCHOOL
13th largest school district in Oklahoma
87 languages and dialects spoken by JPS students
134 countries represented
203 athletic state championships - most of any high school in Oklahoma
2.5 million square feet of building space
1 million miles of bus routes driven by JPS
Transportation
625,000 total visits to jenksps.org in 2023-24 school year
Ron Barber President | Ward 4 Term expires 2024
Tracy Kennedy Member | Ward 1 Term expires 2026
Chuck Forbes Vice President | Ward 5 Term expires 2025
Terry Keeling Member | Ward 2 Term expires 2027
Melissa Abdo Member | Ward 3 Term expires 2028
The Jenks Public Schools Board of Education establishes policies and procedures for the operation of the school system. The Board evaluates the needs of the District and community while acting within the framework of Oklahoma and federal laws. Each member of the five-person Board must live within the District boundaries, and each member is elected to a five-year term by patrons of the Jenks Public Schools District. Board members must follow a strict code of ethics, and in order to enact school policy, members are expected to study issues relating to public education and familiarize themselves with students, staff members, and school sites within the District.
For more information on Board of Education meetings, policies, and procedures go to: jenksps.org/page/board-of-education
Sydnie Ritze, AVID and English teacher at Jenks High School, is the 2023-24 Jenks Public Schools District Teacher of the Year.
“I am humbled and overwhelmed to receive this award,” Ritze stated. “I work with amazing individuals here at JPS who inspire me every day because they are so good at what they do. I’m overjoyed because it’s just a representation of what I get to do for my students. It motivates me even more to show them what is possible when hard work mixes with passion.”
All 11 years of Ritze’s teaching career have been at Jenks High School. The Oklahoma State graduate did her student-teaching at JHS before accepting an English position in 2013. For the past five years, Ritze has taught AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), a class designed to help prepare students for life after high school and close the opportunity gap for students who may be the first in their family to attend college. During her time at JHS, Ritze has served in a variety of leadership and sponsorship roles including Student Council, English Department Leadership Team, AVID Site Team, High School Leadership Team, ICAP/Advisory Committee, and Schedule Task Force. Beloved by her students and respected by her colleagues, Ritze seeks to create a classroom environment where students find their voice in reading and writing. She places high value on collaboration, autonomy, and helping students understand the importance of passion and perseverance to achieve long-term goals.
“Education is powerful,” Ritze declared. “Education is the foundation for every other profession and it’s what keeps our society functioning. As teachers, we are the cogs in the wheel that keep things moving and so I believe that what we are doing is important. Not only do I get to be a part of this amazing world of education, but I get to do it here at Jenks where there is a tradition of excellence. I have so much pride in being a Jenks teacher, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to represent this District.”
“Sydnie Ritze has an undeniable passion for the profession,” remarked Dr. Butterfield. “She is a tireless champion and cheerleader for her students and someone who believes so fiercely in public education. She embodies everything it means to be a Trojan, and she will be a tremendous representative for our teachers and our entire District.”
8% American Indian or Alaskan Native
8% Two or more ethnicities
7% Black or African American
National Merit Finalists
Distinguished Service Graduates (Approximately 32,000 volunteer hours)
Million in total scholarship offers (Highest total in JHS history)
875 12 116 $37.1 $14.9 Graduates
Million in accepted scholarships
Graduates in the Class of 2024 were accepted to 219 colleges and universities.
Next steps for 2024 graduates: 4-year college - 62% 2-year college - 27%
Technical school - 4%
Work/unknown - 4%
Military service - 3%
AP Test Scores on scale of 1-5 with passing score equal to 3 or higher
Makayla Melton, Paraprofessional at West Elementary, is the 2023-24 Jenks Public Schools Classified Employee of the Year.
“There are so many deserving people across this District,” Melton said. “It means a lot because as paras, we do things that sometimes go unnoticed, but we put our heart into our students.”
Melton started her career at Jenks as a Teacher Assistant at West Elementary and has worked as a paraprofessional for the last two and a half years. She also works with the Trojan Hoops program through Community Education and is working to complete her degree in Elementary Education with the goal of becoming a classroom teacher at West Elementary.
In Melton’s nomination form, her principal stated: “Makayla’s positive attitude and personal initiative make her a standout individual in our school community. She is a kid at heart, always bringing humor and lightness to our working environment, which not only makes her a joy to be around, but also inspires her peers to do their best. She has an innate ability to reach even the most difficult students in a way that makes them feel they are loved, valued, and respected.”
Melton credits the principals and colleagues at West Elementary for creating a supportive, encouraging work environment. She loves her coworkers, but says the best part of her job is seeing students succeed.
“Just watching them grow and mature is so rewarding,” Melton said. “Seeing them become more independent and use the tools that we’ve given them to help them navigate their school day is exciting to see. Knowing I get to play a part in that is so fulfilling. It’s the connections with the kids that mean the most.”
873 Teachers
703 Support staff
70 Administrators
13.3
Average years of teaching experience
45.8%
Percentage of certified staff members who hold an advanced degree
Just before the start of the 2023-24 school year, JPS partnered with Apptegy to create a new District website with fully customizable features, sections, and video capability. The site (jenksps.org) gives visitors an easy-to-navigate experience, while providing important information and highlighting the people, programs, and success stories of Jenks Public Schools.
Thanks to the support of Jenks voters and the passage of bond propositions, JPS installed new turf at Allan Trimble Stadium and completed construction on a new softball stadium. The stadium surface benefits football, soccer, lacrosse, marching band, and many other programs throughout the District. The softball facility, built in the same location as the previous field, includes new dugouts, fencing, bleachers, and artificial turf field.
Under the leadership of Mason Prince, Trojan TV began live streaming Jenks athletic events in August 2023. The broadcasts of home football and basketball games aired live on the Trojan TV YouTube channel and were produced and directed entirely by JPS students in grades 9-12. Trojan TV provided opportunities for students to experience live production while also learning how to shoot and edit video to create content for social media platforms.
The Jenks High School Trojan Pride Marching Band was one of a select group of bands from around the world to perform in the 2024 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California on January 1, 2024. The theme for the 135th Tournament of Roses Parade was “Celebrating a World of Music – A Universal Language.” This marks the second time (2016) in the last eight years that the Trojan Pride has been selected to march in the Tournament of Roses Parade.
East Elementary 4th graders stepped out of the classroom to serve several charitable organizations in our community to lend a hand to those in need. This service-learning field trip allowed students to practice responsibility, empathy, and leadership. Highlights included sorting and bagging supplies at Emergency Infant Services, playing bingo with seniors at Saint Simeon’s Senior Community, and bathing puppies at the Tulsa SPCA.
Welcome to Portugal! Students in the Jenks Middle School Global program took full advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the history and culture of Portugal. The 8th graders studied the European nation through an Arts & Humanities course or a Science & Agriculture course before departing and then saw their textbooks come to life as they flew across the Atlantic Ocean and immersed themselves in the people, places, food, architecture, and traditions of Portugal.
The most highly decorated athletic program in Oklahoma added five state championships in the 2023-24 school year. Boys soccer won back-to-back titles and goalkeeper Jack Franklin was honored as the Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year. Boys swimming captured its fifth title in the last six years, while Girls Tennis cruised to its second consecutive championship and 20th title in program history. Jenks Pom won the Gameday championship, and volleyball claimed its second crown in three years with senior Maren Johnson earning the distinction of Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year.
At the annual Back to School Rally, all JPS employees were challenged to “Be The One” by fully embracing the difference they can make in the life of a student or colleague. JPS was thrilled to welcome Rebecka Peterson, National Teacher of the Year, to share her encouraging message of finding the beautiful, positive stories in every classroom, school, and department. From grand gestures of generosity to small acts of kindness, the Trojan Family was inspired to remember why they work in public education and how simple, daily interactions can be truly meaningful.
Every student has hopes and dreams. How can a school district turn those dreams into reality? At Jenks Public Schools, our responsibility isn’t just to give students knowledge. It’s to grow their skills through experiences and opportunities they can’t find anywhere else. JPS students, success is more than a grade on a test. Success means being prepared and meeting the moment with confidence.
Setting our students up to succeed is the driving force behind the Portrait of a Graduate framework. JPS staff members gathered feedback from students, parents, business leaders, industry pioneers, and community members to identify the attributes and characteristics most needed to thrive in college, in the workforce, and all aspects of life.
The Portrait of a Graduate expands what we value for our students. Developing the following skills and attributes from elementary school through high school will enable our students to realize their full capabilities while standing apart from the crowd:
Collaborator | A collaborator works effectively with others, embracing teamwork, seeking compromise, and resolving differences to achieve a shared goal.
Effective Communicator | An effective communicator fosters strong relationships by clearly expressing ideas and actively listening to understand.
Empathetic | An empathetic person demonstrates understanding and care for others’ feelings and experiences, building positive relationships through kindness and respect.
Problem Solver | A problem solver is a critical thinker who identifies issues, demonstrates curiosity, questions assumptions, and navigates challenges to seek solutions.
Resilient | A resilient person perseveres in challenges, while also viewing setbacks as an opportunity for growth and improvement.
Self Advocate | A self-advocate effectively communicates their needs, manages their well-being, and takes ownership of their journey to achieve their goals.
These traits are woven into lesson plans, curriculum materials, resources, and experiences at every grade level. These are the skills employers are looking for in job candidates. These are the characteristics both useful and necessary in nearly every life circumstance. These are the things Jenks students will carry forward, beyond the graduation stage and into a rapidly changing world.
PREPARING ALL TROJANS TO BE FUTURE READY
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATOR SELF-ADVOCATE
EMPATHETIC
RESILIENT
PROBLEM SOLVER
COLLABORATOR
JPS voters approved two separate bond propositions totaling $19,000,000 by a margin of 81.4% to 18.6%. Jenks’ voters have now approved 60 of the past 61 bond issues for Jenks Public Schools. The bond dollars will be used for the following purposes:
· District-wide equipment
· District-wide facilities management equipment/repairs
· District-wide printing improvements
· District-wide safety improvements
· District-wide technology
· District-wide textbooks and media equipment
· District-wide transportation
· East Elementary Building C secured entrance
· Northwest Elementary playground/outdoor learning addition
· Phase I Sharp Center renovation/expansion
· Phase I Tennis Facility upgrades
· Phase III expansion of Freshman Academy
· Trojan Aquatic Center improvements to HVAC/pump room mechanical systems
· West Elementary Building F awning expansion
“Our community plays a pivotal role in determining bond items as we respond to the expectations of our parents, students, and employees,” stated Dr. Stacey Butterfield, Superintendent of Jenks Public Schools. “The passage of these bonds allows our schools to continue to provide essential resources for our students, while upgrading and expanding our facilities to continuously improve and set all students up to succeed. This is common practice at JPS, but it is never something we take for granted. We simply could not do what we do without the unwavering support of this entire community.”
Thank you for your support of Jenks Public Schools!
The Jenks Public Schools Foundation serves the students of JPS by funding programs and projects to enhance the educational experience for all. As a non-profit organization, the JPS Foundation works alongside parents, educators, local business leaders, and community members to gather financial support for a variety of learning opportunities and initiatives across the District.
In the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the JPS Foundation raised a total of $494,120 to fund the following programs:
Alumni Engagement
Author at Work
AVID
Bookmobile
Growing Through the Arts
ICAP
Junior Achievement BizTown
Jenks Wild
Linda George Memorial Scholarship
Operation Aware
PrepYou Senior Conference
STEM Learning Labs
Vision of Excellence Awards
Writer’s Workshop
Through events like the Annual Foundation Dinner & Auction, Hometown Huddle, Jenks Movie Night, the Foundation Golf Tournament, and many more, the JPS Foundation fosters connections between the District and the greater Jenks/South Tulsa community. These events provide investment opportunities for individuals and businesses while generating a sense of purpose and Trojan Pride in all attendees and volunteers.
Learn more at www.jenksfoundation.org
