Academics

Santa Fe South At or Above (AOA) Initiative

Santa Fe South’s academic goals are embedded within our “At or Above” (AOA) initiative which calls for all students to be “at or above” grade level norms in Math and Reading as assessed by NWEA MAP Growth scores. This multi-year vision is achieved through our three academic focuses: Instructional Design, Data-Driven Instruction, and Teacher Development. The end goal for all instruction at Santa Fe South Schools is to inspire and equip students for a lifelong love of learning.

Academic Focuses

Instructional Design

Academic instruction at Santa Fe South has been carefully designed around a rigorous curriculum in all subjects from Pre-K to 12th Grade. Because Math and Reading are the foundational building blocks for learning in all subject areas, students receive Math and Reading instruction in 90 minute blocks. Click below to learn more about the Santa Fe South approach to Reading and Math instruction.

Reading

Our early childhood classrooms embody the science of reading, as the brain learns to read using a systematic, explicit approach to phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, and vocabulary development. This allows learners to connect language to writing. Once students master foundational skills, our ELA classrooms are designed to explicitly teach and practice deconstructing text, reading with metacognition, and making thinking visible.

Mathematics

Our Math classrooms are designed to explicitly teach and practice conceptual understanding, math vocabulary, procedural fluency, and mathematical reasoning. Santa Fe South Schools have well-designed instructional blocks with systems and components to support instruction. We believe in high expectations for ourselves, each other, and our students. Most importantly, the overarching goal is to build a lifelong love of learning.

Data-Driven Instruction

Data-Driven Instruction (DDI) is the foundation for ensuring the growth and achievement of each Santa Fe South student. Effective instruction cannot be evaluated by simply teaching students; rather, the true measure of student learning is the evidence of that learning. At SFS, we are highly responsive to data and student work, using our initial data to set rigorous goals for all students. We prioritize strategic assessments, rigorous data analysis, and frequent action steps to drive student achievement. These approaches move us forward in our goal to have every student at or above grade level.

One of the pieces we use for continuous feedback is standardized testing. Santa Fe South Schools has selected the ACT platform for all Juniors. This test will be given in the Spring and will serve as the Mathematics and Language Arts assessment to be used for all federal and state reporting purposes. If you have any concerns or suggestions regarding this, please email sfstesting@santafesouth.org.

Teacher Development

Santa Fe South is grounded in the knowledge that highly effective teachers are the key levers that boost student achievement; thus, providing quality, on-going professional development for teachers to help SFS students excel academically is essential. Professional development at the site and district level, instructional coaching, and content teams prioritize internalization and planning, content knowledge development, pedagogy, and data-driven instruction. Teachers strive for a high level of content proficiency and continuously seek a deeper understanding of curricular materials.

College and Beyond

Want to learn more about Santa Fe South's high school options?

Incoming Santa Fe South high school students have the option to choose between two distinct high school options: Santa Fe South High School and Santa Fe South Pathways Middle College. Students and their families note their selection in their PowerSchool Parent Portal in the Spring.

Click here to view our "High School Choice Guide"

Santa Fe South Schools is dedicated to ensuring graduates have a breadth of options after their time as a Saint, with an emphasis on early college enrollment through our SFS Pathways Middle College or through SFS High School's concurrent enrollment and Career and Technology Education programs.

Early College Enrollment

Santa Fe South offers several opportunities for students to enroll in college courses and earn credit starting their Sophomore year:

SFS Pathways Middle College
- An award-winning 9-12th grade high school located on the campus of Oklahoma City Community College that provides students the opportunity to enroll in college courses at OCCC and graduate high school with up to an Associate's Degree.
SFS High School
- Concurrent courses offered through OCCC on the SFS High School campus.

College Tools

College Preparation

Preparing for college is an exciting time in life, but it is also a very important time of transition for most students. It is best not to just “wing it.” Instead, develop a game plan and follow a process which best prepares you for the next step in your life. Benjamin Franklin once said, “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.”

OK College Start
College Prep Checklist
FAFSA4caster

Other Resources:

College Board
OK Higher Education Directory
Student Loans
Student Life

MetroTech

ICAP

Individual Career Academic Plan (ICAP)

Beginning with the Class of 2023, all Oklahoma graduates must complete in Individual Career Academic Plan (ICAP). Below is the Santa Fe South ICAP flowchart. Middle School and High School Counselors have Google Classrooms with information and links to the ICAP resources. Santa Fe South Schools uses the OK Career Guide as the platform for ICAP lessons and activities. Below you can find our ICAP plan:

SFS ICAP Plan

ICAP Overview

ACT Information

The ACT is a college entrance exam many colleges and universities require for admission. It is recommended to take the exam prior to your senior year. You can take it earlier in your high school career and as many times as you want and/or can afford. A minimum score is required by most post-secondary institutions. Also, scholarship money is available for those students who score exceptionally well on the ACT, so it is important to be prepared upon entering the testing session. Santa Fe South Schools administers the ACT® test in April to eligible juniors for free as part of the state contract with the Oklahoma State Department of Education and ACT.

ACT Registration
ACT Tips
ACT Guide
ACT Prep
Online Practice

Please contact sfstesting@santafesouth.org with any additional questions.

To assist students with ACT preparation, Santa Fe South High School offers ACT Rapid Review and optional before and after school tutoring. Additional Saturday test prep sessions will also be available at no cost to students.

All Pathways students take ACT Grammar during second semester of freshman year and ACT Prep during second semester of sophomore year.

ACT Parent Info Letter – English and Spanish

Graduation Requirements

Santa Fe South High School

Students will earn 7.5 credits per year on the traditional semester schedule. They will have 7 classes and TEAMS each semester. Each semester course counts for .5 credit, and TEAMS counts for .25 credits per semester.

7.5 credits possible /year X 4 years = 30 credits possible

25 credits required*

* Students entering from other districts or needing special considerations may appeal to the Building Principal, Director of Special Education and Director of Counseling.

Santa Fe South Pathways Middle College

Students earn 9 credits per year on the block schedule. They have 4 classes and HOUSE each semester. Each block course counts for 1 credit, and HOUSE counts for .5 credits each semester. Graduation requirements are on a sliding scale based on the year the student enters Pathways Middle College High School.

Students entering as:

Grade 9

9 credits/year X 4 years = 36 credits possible
34 credits required

Grade 10

6 previous credits + 9 credits/yr X 3 yrs = 33 credits possible
32 credits required

Grade 11

12 previous credits + 9 credits/yr X 2 yrs = 30 credits possible
30 credits required

Grade 12

18 previous credits + 9 credits/yr X 1 year = 27 credits possible
27 credits required

Valedictorian Selection: Because the number of credits strongly impacts the overall GPA of a student, honor students will continue to be recognized by the robe color. The student selected to speak at graduation will be selected based on GPA, Conduct, and administrator approval.

Graduation Exceptions Based on State College Prep/Work Ready Minimum Standards: In case of extenuating circumstances, a student may request reduced credit requirements or shortened school day. This request must be presented to an appeal committee including but not limited to Site Principal, Site Counselor, Director of Counseling and Director of Special Education. In order to be considered, student must have met all State, Oklahoma Promise and Santa Fe South Curricular Requirements.

Core Curriculum Exceptions: In case of extenuating circumstances, a student may request to graduate based on Oklahoma State Core Curriculum Standards instead of College Prep/Work Ready Standards. This request must be approved by the appeal committee consisting of Site Principal, Director of Counseling and Director of Special Education.

All students must complete additional requirements as outlined by The State of Oklahoma.

Graduation Requirements:

English Language Arts: 4 credits
Mathematics: 4 credits at or above Algebra I with a minimum of 3 credits being earned in grades 9 through 12.
Science: 4 credits including Biology and Chemistry (3 lab sciences required)
Social Studies: 4 Credits including O.K. History, U.S. History and Government
Senior Seminar/Capstone: 1 Credit
Fine Arts: 1 credit
World Language/Computers - Must select from the following options:
2 years of the same world language and 1 year computers OR 2 years computers and 1 year world language
Personal Financial Literacy (1 Semester at SFS High School; Embedded in Capstone at Pathways)
Elective credits to equal total number of credit requirements

Scholarships

Submit scholarship applications as soon as possible. Make sure to include everything that is requested in your application. Present yourself neatly and accurately, taking the time to check your grammar and spelling.

OKC Community Foundation
P.E.O. Star Scholarship
Gates Millenium Scholars Program
Weokie Foundation
Fastweb
NextStepU
GoodCall Scholarship Engine
Scholly App

Financial Resources

There’s no getting around it – college is expensive. However, you can reduce your net out-of-pocket expenses by taking advantage of scholarships, grants, and low-interest loans which may be available to you. It does take a strategic plan and substantive effort, but the payoff can be worth thousands and even tens of thousands of dollars!

FAFSA
FSA
OCAP
OHLAP
Pell Grant
FSEOG
OTAG

Student Services

SFS employs and inclusion-focused model that imbeds student support methods for students who are Gifted and Talented (GT), English Language Learners (ELL), and Special Education (SPED). Best practices for these student populations are best practices for all students, and we are committed to providing academic support that allows all students access to core curriculum at their level.

Special Education

Santa Fe South Special Education Services

The purpose of special education is to minimize the impact of the disability and maximize the opportunity for the student to be successful in school.

Records Requests

If you are a staff member at a school district and need to request student records, please contact our Director of Special Education, Monica McFarlin at mmcfarlin@santafesouth.org or call our office at (405) 601-5440.

Do you know of a child who has a disability?
Santa Fe South Schools provides programs for all children who qualify for special education and related services. If you suspect your child may have a disability, or if you would like more information about special education services at Santa Fe South, please contact Mrs. Monica McFarlin at (405) 601-5440.

CHILD FIND INFORMATION
This notice is to inform you that Santa Fe South Schools, Inc. is maintaining an ongoing Child Find search to locate, identify and evaluate any child age 3-21 with an established or suspected disability. Child Find efforts include all individuals age 3-21 not enrolled in school as well as those who attend public and private schools, Head Start, state institutions and other child care or treatment facilities.

Santa Fe South Schools, Inc. has established and maintains a comprehensive screening and multidisciplinary referral, evaluation, and eligibility process for the identification of children with suspected disabilities. Child Find activities contain a mandate for public awareness of contact, location, and established screening procedures. Information regarding evaluation procedures can be obtained by contacting Monica McFarlin at mmcfarlin@santafesouth.org or at (405) 601-5440.

As mandated by the Oklahoma State Department of Education, Santa Fe South Schools, Inc. is required to fully inform parents that personally identify information is maintained on all children who are referred and evaluated under the provisions of Child Find. The types of information sought may include but not limited to: parent concerns, developmental, adaptive behavior, sociocultural, health/medical, vision, hearing, motor, perceptual/processing, behavior, psychological, vocational and information gained through observations in the classroom and other environments.

It is the responsibility of Santa Fe South Schools, Inc. to inform parents/guardians of their rights under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and their rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Procedural Safeguards.