Union Public Schools


Union Public Schools is a public school district located in southeast Tulsa, and northwest Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. The school district is the eighth largest in Oklahoma. Union is notable among school districts in the area because Union does not encompass a particular city. Instead, many of its patrons believe Union is a unifying organization within the community, providing activities for its families, a sense of pride, support and identity for its patrons.
A number of businesses, higher education, foundation, and community partnerships investing in the district’s key areas of emphasis -- Early Childhood Education, Community Schools, STEM Curriculum, and College/Career Readiness remains constant.
The district slogan is “Together We Make a Difference.” The district mission is – "To Graduate 100 Percent of Our Students College and/or Career Ready."
Union Public Schools is accredited by the Oklahoma State Department of Education and AdvancED. Its accreditation process involves parents, teachers and administrators at each of its 19 school sites.
Union Public Schools focuses on four major areas: early childhood education, Community Schools programs, college and career programs through such programs as Union Career Connect, concurrent college tuition programs, Early College High School and student internships through partnerships with area business and the City of Tulsa and STEM
The district also a community education program through the Union Adult Learning Center which serves as the “umbrella” for a variety of programs offered in the Green Country area including Tulsa, Broken Arrow and Muskogee. These programs, include adult classes such as GED classes, English as a Second Language and more, are funded by the Oklahoma State Department of Education and community programs for both adults and children. Some programs are offered at no cost, others at a nominal fee.

History

Union began with its formation in 1919 when four rural communities – Alsuma, Boles, Mayo and McCollough – consolidated. The school's first graduating class consisted of just four students, and all classes were housed in a two-story brick building. Beginning in the 1980s, Tulsa's residential and commercial population boomed, and its population grew with it. Today, Union Public Schools serves more than 15,700 students in its 19 schools, including the Rosa Parks Early Childhood Education Center and the Union Alternative School. Other facilities include the Union Multipurpose Activities Center or UMAC, the Union High School Performing Arts Center, the Union Collegiate Academy which houses the Catherine E. Burden College & Career Center, the Union U-Wear Spirit Store, the Y at Union fitnesss center, and a new Union Innovation Lab finished in 2020.
Union's newest elementary, Ellen Ochoa Elementary, which opened in stages beginning in 2017, features a new Community Health Connection clinc which open in 2020, incorproated as part of the Community School Village concept.

Schools

Union Public Schools comprises 19 schools.

Elementary schools

Union Public Schools has 14 elementary school sites and one Early Childhood Center, which serves 3-year-old students:
Union Public Schools has five secondary schools, including an alternative school:
The Union Adult Learning Center serves as the “umbrella” for a variety of programs offered to the region through Union Public Schools. These programs include adult classes around Northeastern Oklahoma funded by the State Department of Education and community programs for both adults and children. Some programs are offered at no cost, others at a nominal fee., additional text.
-Adult Basic Education -
GED Preparation classes are provided for adults who are no longer attending high school and need basic skills instruction in reading, writing, math, and life skills.
-GED and Career Certification Exams-
Passing the General Educational Development or GED test qualifies adults to receive a high school diploma issued by the State of Oklahoma. Exams for certification in the fields of Health, IT, Education, and more are also available.
-English as a Second Language-
English as a Second Language or ESL classes provide instruction to non-English speaking adults. Students learn communication and assimilation skills in order to be productive citizens.

Mascot controversy

Union's use of the "Redskins" team name has exposed it to some criticism, similar to the controversy faced by other schools using mascots referring to Native Americans. In 1999, Cherokee Nation chief Chad Smith criticized the school's use of the name. In December 2002, the school received a demand from the University of Miami that it stop using a "split-U" logo which Miami claimed was unacceptably similar to the university's trademarked logo. Some Native American groups saw this as an appropriate time to renew their calls for Union to abandon the Redskins name, since it appeared that the school would have to change its uniforms in any event. However, in January 2003, Union settled Miami's claim by agreeing to pay $9,599 per year for the continuing right to use the split-U logo. In November 2003 the school board voted unanimously to keep the "Redskins" name. Since that time the school has maintained its position despite continued protests and proposed legislation intended to change the name. In July 2020, following an announcement by the Washington Redskins that their ownership would review its name, the Union school board announced it would also reevaluate the district’s mascot. However, school officials noted they had been evaluating the mascot name for nearly a year.