By Fox23. com News Staff
SAPULPA, Okla. — Sapulpa Public Schools welcomed students back to class Thursday while crews continued building the district’s new high school in the middle of an active campus shared with multiple schools.
Superintendent Dr. Rob Armstrong said the district was excited for the first day but closely monitoring traffic and construction around Sapulpa High School.
“Not only is the high school here, we have our junior high and our elementary school right next door,” Armstrong said. “So, a lot of moving parts, a lot of construction areas. So just be patient. Be patient.”
The new Sapulpa High School is the largest project included in the district’s $279 million Chieftain Stronger bond package approved by voters in 2023.
Crews placed the building’s final structural beam in April. Armstrong said framers are now working on the exterior as crews prepare to “dry in” the building, meaning it will be enclosed and protected from weather so more work can begin inside.
The new ninth-through-12th-grade high school is expected to include modern science and technology labs, fewer entry points, updated security technology and a FEMA-rated storm shelter. The project also includes a new 1,200-seat performing arts center.
Armstrong said the district hopes to have the new high school ready to open around this time next year. The district’s published construction schedule lists a target completion date in mid-2027.
Construction is limiting parking around Sapulpa High School and Sapulpa Junior High. The district expects the restrictions to continue during this school year and next.
Sapulpa Public Schools released a video and parking map showing the temporary parking options and designated walking routes.
One student parking option is located in the gravel lot near Mission Street and Hobson Avenue, behind Domino’s Pizza. Students parking there will follow a designated walking route behind the construction area to reach the school.
Another student parking area is available near the tennis courts.
The district says students cannot park or walk inside active construction zones. Families are encouraged to carpool, use district transportation or drop students off when possible to reduce congestion.
Elementary Student Begin School Earlier
Sapulpa’s elementary schools are beginning the day 10 minutes earlier this year to comply with Oklahoma’s new recess requirement.
State law now requires public schools to provide at least 40 minutes of daily recess for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Because the state considers recess non-instructional time, Sapulpa adjusted its schedule to continue meeting instructional-time requirements.
Elementary bus routes will also run 10 minutes earlier. Dismissal and latchkey hours are not changing, and secondary schools are not affected by the schedule adjustment.’
The district published updated elementary bell and breakfast schedules online.
Armstrong said the district was prepared for the additional recess and that Sapulpa’s existing schedule helped limit the impact of the new requirement.
Cellphone Restrictions Enter Second Year
Sapulpa is also beginning its second year of restricting student cellphone use during the school day.
Armstrong said students and employees adjusted well to the policy during its first year.
The district’s existing approach also placed Sapulpa ahead of Oklahoma’s statewide cellphone restrictions.
Other Bond Projects Continue
The new high school is not the only facility investment underway.
The district previously completed a new baseball and softball complex west of Sapulpa. Additional work includes an athletics expansion near the Chieftain Center, with auxiliary gym space, a new workout area and other facilities.
Armstrong said the projects represent an active period of construction and expansion for Sapulpa Public Schools.
As students begin the new year alongside that work, Armstrong offered them a simple message:
