First Semester Recap Letter
December 18, 2025

Season’s Greetings!

As we wrap up the first semester, I’d like to take time to reflect and provide a few district updates.

Academics

This year’s 2025 Oklahoma State Department of Education Report Card provided clear insight into our academic momentum. Perry Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, and Junior High each earned solid B ratings, a testament to our committed staff and hardworking students. After two consecutive years of earning a B rating, Perry High School received a D rating this year, largely due to performance on ACT and CCRA assessments, as well as student attendance rates. We are taking immediate action to address these challenges through targeted academic planning, enhanced ACT preparation programs, and strengthened college and career readiness initiatives. These improvement efforts are currently in progress and aim to deliver better outcomes and sustained success for our high school students. Strong parent and stakeholder support is essential to improving both student attendance and academic achievement. These ratings and our improvement strategies demonstrate the commitment of our dedicated faculty and staff, as well as the ongoing efforts of our students.

Yet even with this rating, our high school continues to shine on the state stage. According to U.S. News & World Report (2024–2025), Perry High School ranks 25th out of 419 high schools in Oklahoma, placing it among the top 6% of schools statewide—an achievement that speaks volumes about our overall success and potential.

Preparing Students for Life: Career Development
One of the most impactful advancements in our district is the addition of a Career Development Specialist, dedicated to ensuring every student graduates with a plan and a pathway to a living wage. Whether a student’s future leads toward college, technical training, or direct entry into a specialized field, our focus is on opening doors to meaningful opportunity. Our goal is simple: Perry students graduate with direction, confidence, and purpose.

Leading the State in STEM Innovation
When it comes to STEM, Perry Schools stands tall. For a district our size, we offer some of the most comprehensive, forward-thinking STEM opportunities in the state, and we continue to grow. From robotics and engineering to coding and applied sciences, STEM learning reaches every grade level, giving students early access to fields shaping tomorrow’s economy.

One of our fastest-growing programs is our Aviation program, which provides students hands-on experience and exposure to aeronautics, flight principles, and exciting career pathways.

Combined with student opportunities at Meridian Technology Center, our students have unprecedented access to certifications and coursework that set them apart long before graduation.


Athletics, Activities & the Maroon Champion Spirit
Athletics and extracurricular programs remain a point of fierce pride. This year, the Perry Lady Maroons softball team once again advanced to the State Tournament for the third year in a row. Track and field athletes continue to medal at state year-after-year. Our baseball program is a force to be reckoned with. And no story of Perry is complete without honoring our powerhouse: Perry Wrestling, one of the most storied, respected, and successful high school wrestling programs in the nation. 

But the strength of our district goes far beyond athletics. Students benefit from an impressive range of programs including:

• A growing Agricultural Education program with two instructors
• Technology Education
• A High-Achieving Band Program
• Academic Team Success
• Aviation Program
• Business Education
• Concurrent Enrollment
• Family & Consumer Sciences
• And so much more

Whether a student’s passion lies in the arts, technology, leadership, agriculture, or athletics, there is a place for every Maroon to thrive.

A Community That Invests in Its Future
Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Malzahn Family Affiliated Fund and the Perry Education Foundation, Perry Public Schools now has accessible, modern classroom technology. From updated Smartboards and iPads to classroom computers, teachers have the tools to deliver top-tier instruction every day with the most up-to-date and available technology in the state. At the high school, our 1-to-1 computer initiative ensures every student receives their own device, promoting digital fluency and leveling the playing field for all learners.

These partnerships illustrate what makes Perry truly exceptional: we are a community that invests in its children.

Looking Forward With Purpose
As we reflect on our progress and look toward the future, one message remains clear: Perry Public Schools is on the rise. We are working together to fulfill our mission—“Committed to inspiring dreams and elevating achievement.”

This highlight reel scratches only the surface of the extraordinary growth taking place in our district. I could not be more proud of our students, our staff, and our community.

Wishing you all a joyful holiday season. As a reminder, we have early release at 1:30 p.m. this Friday, December 19. We’ll see you back on Monday, January 5, 2026 to start the second semester. 

Chad Wilson

Superintendent, Perry Public Schools