Parents: Students Accepted Into OKC School, Then Denied Enrollment

Parents are outraged after their children are accepted into the Classen School of Advanced Studies, then months later their enrollment denied. The Oklahoma City School Board rejected transfers for dozens of students. At least eight of them already got acceptance letters.

Parents say they understand Oklahoma City public school students had the first choice when it came to enrollment at Classen, but they say that's not the issue.

“It was the day of his birthday, and he was so excited, because as soon as you open the letter, the first thing it says is congratulations,” parent Kym Tucker said.

Tucker, an Edmond resident, says her son has a love for music. He went through a lengthy application process and was accepted to Classen as a piano major in February. But, early Tuesday afternoon, Tucker, Micheline Haiges, and several other parents got a phone call from the schools vice-principal.

“Because my son doesn’t live in the Oklahoma City district, that his acceptance to Classen has been revoked by the school board, and he will not be able to attend Classen next year,” Tucker said.

“It’s just disappointing. We try to be good role models for our kids, and there’s just really no words to describe. I mean, what do you say,” said parent Micheline Haiges.

According to OKC Public School district, the ultimate decision, even after acceptance letters were mailed was up to the school board.

“All transfers have to be approved by the Board of Education, which is what happened Tuesday night,” said OKC Public Schools spokesperson, Tierney Tinnin.

“We were never told that, we don’t have anything in writing that says that, so we weren’t able to set our children up for that disappointment,” Tucker said.

The acceptance letter gives no indication that the decision wasn't a done deal. It gives the enrollment date, and time, and asks students to bring a birth certificate and immunization records.

“Why did we receive a letter, why did we enroll,” Tucker said.

At this point, parents have no choice but to enroll their children back into their home schools.