Moore Public Schools
Moore Public Schools
Introduction
Moore Public Schools (MPS) is a large public school district serving students in Moore and surrounding communities in central Oklahoma. Located in Cleveland County within the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, the district provides education from pre-kindergarten through high school and operates one of the larger public school systems in the state.
For the 2024–2025 school year, Oklahoma State Department of Education data reported 23,567 students enrolled in Moore Public Schools as of October 1, 2024. The district reported total expenditures of approximately $276.1 million for the year. The National Center for Education Statistics identifies Moore as a regular local school district serving grades PK–12, with 34 schools reported for the 2025–2026 school year.
MPS serves a diverse student population and provides a broad range of educational programs, extracurricular activities, career opportunities, student services, and specialized learning experiences. The district is also a significant local employer, with approximately 3,300 employees.
History and Community Role
Moore Public Schools has developed alongside the communities of Moore, southern Oklahoma City, and nearby areas. As the Oklahoma City metropolitan region has expanded, the district has grown into a substantial educational organization serving thousands of families.
The district's schools are closely connected to the communities they serve. Students generally attend schools according to residential attendance zones, creating neighborhood connections between families and their local schools. MPS states that students enroll in the school designated for their residence, although transfer opportunities are also available under applicable policies and capacity requirements.
The district's community role extends beyond classroom education. Schools provide athletic programs, fine arts, student organizations, meals, transportation, counseling, special education, career preparation, and other services that affect students and families throughout the year.
Because of its size, MPS is also an important economic institution. The district reports approximately 3,300 employees, including about 1,550 certified teachers and administrators and approximately 1,772 support personnel.
Size and Enrollment
Moore Public Schools serves more than 23,500 students. The district's official enrollment information states that MPS serves more than 23,500 students at 35 school sites, while the Oklahoma State Department of Education recorded 23,567 students for the 2024–2025 reporting year.
The district's student population is distributed across elementary, junior high, and high school levels. MPS reports approximately:
- 11,851 elementary students;
- 3,671 junior high students; and
- 7,190 high school students.
The district currently identifies 25 elementary schools, six junior high schools, three high schools, and one alternative academy.
The three comprehensive high schools are Moore High School, Westmoore High School, and Southmoore High School. Together, these schools serve thousands of students and provide academic, athletic, extracurricular, and career-related opportunities.
Elementary Education
Elementary education represents the largest portion of the district's student population. MPS operates 25 elementary schools serving students from kindergarten through sixth grade, with approximately 12,000 elementary students.
Elementary education establishes the academic foundation for later success. Students develop fundamental skills in reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, communication, and problem-solving.
Elementary schools also provide opportunities for students to participate in music, physical education, technology, clubs, and other enrichment activities. At this stage, schools have an especially important responsibility to establish positive attitudes toward learning and develop students' confidence and independence.
MPS uses neighborhood attendance zones to determine the elementary school students generally attend. Families can identify their designated school based on their residential address.
Junior High Education
Moore Public Schools operates six junior high schools serving grades seven and eight. Approximately 3,700 students attend the district's junior high schools.
The junior-high years represent an important transition between elementary and high school. Students encounter more specialized subjects, greater academic expectations, and increased independence.
Junior-high students also begin making decisions that can influence their later high-school experiences. Exposure to different academic subjects, technology, arts, athletics, and career-related opportunities can help students identify areas of interest before entering high school.
The district's junior-high structure allows students to remain connected to their local communities while preparing for the larger range of academic and extracurricular choices available in high school.
High School Education
Moore Public Schools operates three major high schools: Moore High School, Westmoore High School, and Southmoore High School. The district reports that approximately 7,200 students attend these three schools.
High school students can pursue different educational pathways depending on their goals. Some students may focus heavily on college preparation, while others may pursue career and technical education, athletics, fine arts, or workforce-oriented programs.
High schools also provide opportunities for students to develop leadership skills and participate in organizations that can strengthen their academic and personal development.
Preparing students for life after graduation is an important responsibility of the high-school system. Students increasingly need a combination of academic knowledge, communication skills, technology skills, problem-solving abilities, and career awareness to succeed after secondary school.
Pre-Kindergarten and Early Education
MPS also provides pre-kindergarten opportunities. Early childhood education can provide children with an introduction to structured learning before they enter kindergarten.
Pre-K programs can help develop early literacy, language, mathematics, social interaction, classroom routines, and school-readiness skills. They can also help children become familiar with teachers, classmates, and school environments.
The district's enrollment system includes a dedicated process for Pre-K enrollment, allowing families to review requirements and available options.
Early education is particularly important for families because the transition into formal schooling can influence a child's confidence and early academic development.
Academic and Career Opportunities
Moore Public Schools provides students with academic programs intended to prepare them for a variety of postsecondary pathways.
The district's programs extend beyond traditional classroom instruction and include career-oriented learning opportunities. Moore is part of the larger Oklahoma educational environment in which CareerTech programs provide students with opportunities to explore technical and workforce-related fields.
Career preparation is increasingly important because students do not all follow the same route after graduation. Some will attend four-year universities, while others will pursue community colleges, technical education, apprenticeships, military service, or direct employment.
Providing multiple pathways allows students to connect their education with their individual interests and career goals.
Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular activities form an important part of the MPS student experience. The district's high schools and other schools offer athletics, music, performing arts, clubs, academic organizations, and other activities.
Athletics can help students develop teamwork, discipline, leadership, and persistence. Fine arts programs provide opportunities for creativity, performance, communication, and collaboration. Academic clubs and organizations allow students to explore subjects beyond the standard curriculum.
These programs can also strengthen school communities. Sporting events, concerts, performances, competitions, and student activities bring families together and create relationships among students, educators, parents, and community members.
Student Support and Mental Health
MPS identifies mental health as an increasingly important priority for students and employees. The district describes mental health as a growing focus within its broader approach to supporting the school community.
Student support services are an essential part of a modern school district. Academic success can be affected by personal circumstances, emotional challenges, family situations, learning differences, and other factors.
Counselors, special education professionals, administrators, teachers, and other support personnel work together to assist students with academic and personal needs.
Oklahoma State Department of Education financial information indicates that MPS spent more than $20.3 million on student support services during the 2024–2025 fiscal year.
This level of spending illustrates the significant resources required to provide services beyond traditional classroom instruction.
Special Education and Student Services
Students have different educational needs, and public school districts are required to provide appropriate educational services for eligible students with disabilities.
MPS maintains a Special Services department as part of its district structure, reflecting the importance of individualized student support. The district also provides broader student services and health-related support.
Effective special education requires coordination between teachers, families, specialists, administrators, and other professionals. Individualized educational planning can help students access the curriculum and participate meaningfully in school life.
The availability of such services is particularly important in a large district because students with different abilities and learning requirements must be supported across numerous schools.
Enrollment and Transfers
Moore Public Schools generally assigns students to schools based on their residential attendance zones. Families can use the district's school-finder and enrollment resources to determine the school associated with their residence.
The district also provides transfer opportunities. Open transfers allow students who live outside the district to apply for enrollment, although acceptance depends on available space, staffing, and school capacity.
This system provides families with a combination of neighborhood-school access and, where available, additional enrollment choices.
For families moving into the Moore area, understanding residency requirements, enrollment documentation, school boundaries, and transfer rules is therefore important.
Teachers and Employees
Teachers and staff are central to the district's ability to provide education. MPS reports approximately 3,300 employees, including approximately 1,550 certified teachers and administrators. The district states that certified staff members have an average of 13 years of experience and that more than 31 percent hold advanced degrees.
The district's workforce includes classroom teachers, principals, counselors, administrators, transportation employees, maintenance workers, technology specialists, food-service staff, special education professionals, and other support personnel.
Teacher experience and professional development can have a significant effect on instructional quality. Recruiting and retaining qualified educators is therefore an important responsibility for district leadership.
Financial Scale
Moore Public Schools operates on a substantial annual budget.
For the 2024–2025 fiscal year, Oklahoma State Department of Education data reported total expenditures of approximately $276.1 million. Instruction accounted for approximately $144.6 million, making it by far the largest expenditure category. The district also spent approximately $38.7 million on plant operations and maintenance, $20.4 million on student support services, $12.3 million on instructional staff support, and $6.3 million on transportation.
These figures demonstrate the complexity of operating a large public school district. Funding must support teachers and instructional programs while also maintaining buildings, buses, technology, safety systems, food services, administrative operations, and student support.
MPS also publishes budget and financial reports, including budget books containing expenditure information, per-pupil spending figures, and audited financial information.
Financial transparency is important because public school districts use taxpayer and public funds. Clear reporting allows families, employees, policymakers, and community members to understand how resources are being allocated.
District Leadership
Leadership is an important consideration for any large school district. Moore Public Schools has been led by Superintendent Dr. Robert Romines, who announced his retirement in August 2026 after 34 years of service to the district. His retirement is scheduled to become effective June 30, 2027, at the end of the 2026–2027 school year. The Board of Education accepted his resignation and recognized his 13 years as superintendent.
Dr. Romines' long tenure represents a significant period of institutional continuity for MPS. During his leadership, the district expanded college- and career-readiness opportunities and navigated several complex challenges affecting the Moore community.
His announced retirement means that superintendent succession will be an important issue for the district. The selection of future leadership can influence academic priorities, staffing strategies, facilities planning, student services, and community relationships.
Facilities and Growth
Managing school facilities is another major responsibility for MPS. With 25 elementary schools, six junior high schools, three high schools, and an alternative academy, the district operates a substantial physical infrastructure.
Facility management includes maintenance, repairs, technology infrastructure, transportation access, safety, classroom capacity, and long-term planning.
Growth and changes in enrollment can require districts to adjust school boundaries, expand facilities, renovate existing buildings, or consider new construction.
MPS's financial data shows that more than $38.7 million was spent on operation and maintenance of plant services in 2024–2025.
This demonstrates the significant cost associated with maintaining a large school system's physical infrastructure.
Community Importance
Moore Public Schools is an important institution within the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. Its schools educate thousands of children, employ thousands of adults, and provide services that affect families throughout the community.
Schools also contribute to the area's economic environment. Strong public schools can make communities more attractive to families and businesses, while educated graduates contribute to the future workforce.
The district also creates opportunities for community participation through parent organizations, athletic events, performances, volunteer activities, school programs, and other activities.
For families considering Moore as a place to live, the public school system is therefore an important component of the community's overall appeal.
Challenges and Future Priorities
Like other large school districts, Moore Public Schools faces a number of continuing challenges.
One challenge is maintaining sufficient staffing. A district with more than 23,000 students requires a large number of teachers and support professionals, and recruiting and retaining qualified employees is essential.
Another challenge is maintaining facilities. Aging buildings require continuous investment, while growing communities can create demand for additional classroom space.
Student mental health and well-being are also increasingly important. Schools must balance academic expectations with the social and emotional needs of students and employees.
Technology presents both opportunities and risks. Digital learning can improve access to educational resources, but districts must also address cybersecurity, responsible technology use, privacy, and the appropriate use of artificial intelligence.
Finally, the district's upcoming leadership transition will be important. Superintendent Romines' planned retirement creates an opportunity for the Board of Education and community to consider the leadership qualities and priorities needed for the next phase of MPS.
Conclusion
Moore Public Schools is a large and established public school district serving more than 23,500 students across elementary, junior high, and high school programs. The district operates 25 elementary schools, six junior high schools, three high schools, and an alternative academy, providing education and student services across a broad geographic area.
Its strengths include a substantial range of academic and extracurricular opportunities, a large and experienced workforce, career and college preparation programs, student support services, and a strong connection to the surrounding community.
The district is also a significant economic institution, with approximately 3,300 employees and annual expenditures of more than $276 million.
Looking ahead, MPS will need to continue addressing enrollment, facilities, staffing, student well-being, technology, and financial management. The planned retirement of Superintendent Robert Romines in June 2027 also makes leadership succession an important issue for the district.
Overall, Moore Public Schools plays a central role in the educational and community life of Moore and the surrounding Oklahoma City metropolitan area. Its ability to provide strong academic programs while supporting the individual needs of a diverse student population will remain central to its future success.
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