Chris 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 overall child well-being — with low scores in education, physical wellbeing, family stability and economic health.
Despite these daunting statistics, Brewster sees tremendous potential in Oklahoma’s future.
“Our children are the most valuable resource we have in Oklahoma,” he says. “We’re only a generation away from being the best place to live and work if we invest in the success of our children.”
Cultivating Excellence through People
What sets Santa Fe South apart is its people — a fact reflected in the school’s nine-time recognition as a top workplace in Oklahoma and, this year, ranking nationally within the education sector. This achievement is particularly remarkable given that Santa Fe South doesn’t offer tenure or ongoing contracts and maintains higher performance expectations than many traditional schools.
The school’s workforce of over 650 employees reflects an innovative approach to building teaching capacity. Over 50% of Santa Fe South’s teaching staff are alternatively or emergency certified — professionals who didn’t originally choose education as a career but were drawn to the profession and trained within the district.
To support this often younger, non-traditional teaching force, Santa Fe South invests heavily in professional development, providing between 70 and 90 hours of intensive training annually, along with extensive coaching and oversight. The philosophy is simple: pair high expectations with high support.
When asked about his own leadership approach, Brewster says he has one superpower — hiring ridiculously talented people and then getting out of their way.
Measuring Success through Equity and Transparency
For Brewster, a self-described competitor who has coached varsity sports throughout his career, success has a clear definition: children educated at or above grade level, safe in their schools and prepared for bright futures.
“Public schools should be, number one, safe, secure environments for their children,” Brewster emphasizes. “Number two, the public mission of the public school is to educate the public. So we should be measurably doing that work in ways that meet high standards.”
The commitment to measurable outcomes and educational equity drives every level of Santa Fe South’s organization. Meg Wheeler, Executive Director of Elementary Education, explains that central to this approach is consistent transparency with families. Santa Fe South conducts regular parent data meetings where teachers share objective performance data, even when it’s difficult news.
“We truly believe that clear is kind, and every family deserves to have all the information about their child that we possess,” Wheeler explains. “If your child is performing in the fifth percentile, we are not only going to tell you that, but we will clearly explain what that means and where we believe your child can be at the end of the year.”
Heidi Avery, Executive Director of Secondary Education, emphasizes that parents appreciate this transparency.
“Our parents chose Santa Fe South, and we have an obligation to provide them with information so they can continue to make informed decisions,” she says. “Providing objective data empowers families to play a meaningful, supportive role in their child’s education.”
Behind this commitment to student success is a distinctive approach to teacher development. Marianne Stephens, Chief Academic Officer, explains that Santa Fe South focuses on development rather than evaluation.
“Our core belief is that if we can develop teachers to a certain level of performance, we will successfully drive our academic outcomes,” Stephens says. “Everyone has a coach. We operate as coaches, not evaluators. We are focused entirely on helping people develop.”
Looking Ahead
In 2026, Santa Fe South plans to serve approximately 5,300 students — a growth that reflects more than organizational success. It represents a community’s desire for educational excellence and a superintendent’s belief that every child deserves access to it — regardless of their zip code or their financial means.
“Public charter schools are only a piece of the puzzle that needs to be completed to improve Oklahoma’s public education system,” Brewster says. “Our children are full of potential and promise.”
For Santa Fe South, unlocking that potential is more than its mission — it’s the key to transforming both individual lives and Oklahoma’s future, one student at a time.
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