Building Excellence Santa Fe South’s Mission to Transform Education BY REBECCA FAST . PHOTOS PROVIDED.
C hris Brewster, superintendent of Santa Fe South public charter schools, has an unwavering passion to see every child in Oklahoma receive a quality education. A former teacher and assistant principal, Brewster founded Santa Fe South in 2001 — beginning with 120 ninth grade students, seven teachers and a church basement. Today, the public charter school serves over 4,700 students across 13 campuses in south Oklahoma City, making it the largest comprehensive brick and mortar charter school in the state. For Brewster, who has dedicated 34 years to education, success lies within a combination of community support, public investment and a shared goal toward excellence. Despite common misconceptions, Brewster is adamant that charter schools like Santa Fe South are champions of public education, not competitors to it. “Charter schools are pro-traditional public schools,” he explains. “We believe that public schools have been the backbone of our country for 200 plus years and communities are strengthened when we invest in education.” Opening Doors through Public Charter Education Santa Fe South is a tuition-free public charter school with a straightforward mission: provide equal educational opportunity to all students. There are no admission criteria, and if enrollment exceeds capacity, a random lottery determines placement, ensuring every child has an equal chance. “Santa Fe South exists to serve a population that has not had options,” Brewster explains. “Being able to give students with limited financial means the same opportunity as those who do is a core part of our mission.” Since its founding, Santa Fe South has focused exclusively on a south Oklahoma City corridor that encompasses approximately 20,000 school-aged children. This commitment to accessibility addresses a critical gap in educational equity for families who traditionally lacked school choice due to financial constraints. “This is a community-based school that exists only because the community continues to choose us,” Brewster says. “Our families are our clients, and we design our work around what they need and desire.” Brewster’s personal support of Santa Fe South is deeply rooted within his own family — seven of his nine children graduated from the school, two are currently attending, and he now has his first grandchild enrolled. An Oklahoma Imperative Brewster’s passion for educational excellence stems from a sobering reality: Oklahoma ranks among the worst states in the nation for children. According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Oklahoma ranks 46th out of the 50 states for
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