Ponca City High School (Po-Hi) is a Class 6A high school, situated on 26 acres at 927 North Fifth Street. "A collaborative learning community that develops citizens committed to lifelong learning, academic achievement, and personal excellence," Po-Hi embraces its mission with extraordinary resolve. There are 125 certified and support employees who serve approximately 1500 students--freshmen through seniors. Students and staff are dedicated to developing good relationships and Professional Learning Communities (PLC's) within the building.
Po-Hi students are called "Wildcats," a title that means hard work, perseverance, and extreme loyalty to the school. Students are supportive of one another, in victory and in defeat. The head Wildcat is Principal Mr. Shane Dent, who embodies those characteristics and models them for everyone, as do the assistant principals.
The school operates on a semester schedule. Students attend six, 55-minute periods daily and also attend a 40-minute Advisory period every Friday.
Po-Hi students have a rigorous college bound curriculum with personalized instruction designed to meet the diversified needs of all students. Special classes and programs include advanced placement courses and enrichment/gifted opportunities. Concurrent enrollment in college classes and vocational-technical classes at Pioneer Technology Center enables students to better prepare for the workplace or university studies. Students in need can enroll in a comprehensive special education program, as well as extensive alternative school programs such as our Wildcat Academy, Teen pep program and our Share program. The extracurricular activities include state and national award-winning programs in music, art, and athletics, such as our national champion wrestling team, national champion Po-Hi stepper drill team, state and nationally recognized cheerleading program, and the award winning big blue marching band. Po-Hi also has many clubs that meet before and after school.
Our graduates are recognized each year through the National Merit Scholarship program, Commended Scholars, Academic All-State, Oklahoma Academic Scholars and many more. In the last several years, Po-Hi has produced 27 National Merit Semi-Finalists, 120 Academic All-State nominees, and numerous Commended Scholars. Each year, many of our students are named to the Oklahoma All-State lists in academics, athletics, band, and vocal music. Students have earned more than $4 million annually in scholarship monies to many prestigious universities and colleges throughout the United States.
A minimum of 46 credits is required for graduation. All students enroll in a college bound plan of study, unless the parents choose otherwise. Po-Hi has implemented mentoring programs to provide guidance to freshmen for academic and social success. MUST (Mandatory Uninterrupted Study Time), another program, ensures all students have mandatory study time for reading, homework, tutoring, and online credit recovery or advancement.
Po-Hi has several PIE partners (Partners in Education) including Ponca City Medical Center, CableOne, and the HOUSE 89.7 FM. In addition, the Ponca City Public School Foundation and the Friends of Education (both wholly funded from community contributions) donate thousands of dollars to the classrooms each year. They also present grants to faculty members for training and for innovative, exceptional classroom projects. All of these organizations help create a better environment for learning. The school has a very active parent coalition, academic council and leadership team consisting of students, parents, teachers, and administrators. This makes Ponca City High School a collaborative community where everyone learns.