In an era where education is evolving at an unprecedented pace, the debate between charter schools and traditional public schools often misses a crucial point: the real winners should always be the students. The groundbreaking partnership between the Oklahoma Aviation Academy (OAA) at Norman Public Schools and the Virtual Prep Academy (VPA) exemplifies how these two educational models can collaborate to create unparalleled opportunities for young learners. By working together, NPS and VPA are expanding access to high-quality aerospace and STEM education across Oklahoma, proving that cooperation—not division—best serves our students’ futures.
Oklahoma’s aerospace and aviation industry is a powerhouse, offering more than 250 career options and employing over 120,000 people in our state. Yet, for many students, particularly those in rural or underserved areas, access to specialized education in this field remains limited. The partnership between NPS and VPA directly addresses this challenge, combining the strengths of a traditional public school program with the flexibility of virtual learning. Through this collaboration, students across the state gain access to an interactive aerospace curriculum, in-person labs, and field trips that bring real-world industry experience to their education. Additionally, The University of Oklahoma, Moore Norman Technology Center and multiple private industry companies provide critical support in making this initiative a reality.
This initiative highlights a key lesson for education leaders: rather than seeing charter schools and public schools as competitors, we should view them as allies in expanding educational access. Traditional schools bring established programs, infrastructure, and community ties, while charter schools often offer innovative approaches and specialized learning experiences. When these strengths are combined, students receive the best of both worlds.
By embracing both virtual and in-person learning, the NPS-VPA partnership ensures that no student is left behind due to geographic or economic barriers. Whether a student is in rural Oklahoma or an urban center, they can now pursue careers in aviation, aerospace engineering, and related fields without having to relocate or sacrifice educational quality. This kind of collaboration is exactly what is needed to future-proof education and workforce development.
Leaders across the state, from educators to policymakers, recognize the impact of this partnership. Senator Adam Pugh and Oklahoma Secretary of Education Nellie Sanders have praised the initiative as a model for how education should evolve to meet industry demands and student needs. Their support underscores the broader message: when different educational institutions work together, the entire state benefits.
The success of the NPS-VPA collaboration should serve as a blueprint for other school-industry partnerships. Instead of debating which model is superior, we should focus on how all educational institutions can unite to create a system that truly serves every student. The future of education—and our workforce—depends on it.
The Aviation Program is available to high school students enrolled in the Virtual Prep Academy, find out more information at Aerospace and STEM Program | Virtual Prep of Oklahoma.
To read more articles about how students are using STEAM learning in the Aviation Program, read the first article in our What’s Right with Our Schools series.
Erin has served in Oklahoma Education for 22 years, She is a 6th generation Oklahoman and is passionate about the future workforce pipeline in our state and connecting students to their passions as future career opportunities. The Virtual Prep Academy is currently open to enrolling students across the state of Oklahoma in K-11th grade for the 25-26 school year at ok.vprep.com.
