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Harding Charter Preparatory School District Superintendent

Steven Stefanick, M. Ed.

With over a decade of experience in education, Steven Stefanick, M. Ed., has been a driving force in academic leadership and school administration. Appointed as Superintendent of Harding Charter Preparatory School District in May 2021, he has played a pivotal role in expanding access to high-quality education in Oklahoma City.

Mr. Stefanick began his career in education as a secondary mathematics instructor at Norman High School in 2011 before joining Harding Charter Preparatory High School in 2012. Over the next several years, he distinguished himself as a dedicated educator, achieving a 100% pass rate on the Oklahoma End of Instruction exams and taking on leadership roles, including mathematics department chair, head cross country coach, assistant tennis coach, and student council advisor. Under his guidance, the student council raised more than $20,000 annually for local charities, setting a school record.

His leadership abilities led to his promotion to assistant principal in 2015, where he also served as child nutrition director and testing coordinator. In 2018, he became Superintendent/Principal of Harding Charter Preparatory High School, guiding the school through some of its most transformative years.

Transformational Leadership

During his tenure, Mr. Stefanick successfully navigated major challenges, including:

  • 2019 School Relocation: Led the seamless move of Harding Charter Prep High School to a new location in under five days at no cost to the school, following Oklahoma City’s "Pathway to Greatness" restructuring.
  • COVID-19 Response: Spearheaded the school’s pandemic response strategy, ensuring students continued to receive a high-quality education during an unprecedented global crisis.
  • District Formation & Expansion: Played a critical role in the 2021 merger of Harding Charter Preparatory High School and Independence Charter Middle School, creating the Harding Charter Preparatory School District. Under his leadership, the district has expanded from one school to three, increasing student enrollment by nearly 300%.
  • Strategic Growth Initiative: In 2023, led the district's participation in the Charter Strategic Growth Institute, facilitated by Bellwether Education Partners, resulting in the opening of Harding Charter Preparatory Elementary School at Kelley.
  • Priority Work Initiative: In 2025, led the district's participation in the Charter Network Accelerator, resulting in the district moving towards prioritizing resources and staff to keep areas of need.

Thought Leadership & Advocacy

Beyond his administrative accomplishments, Mr. Stefanick is a passionate advocate for educational equity and workforce readiness. His thought leadership is evident in his published op-eds:

  • "Solving the Impending College-Educated Workforce Gap" – addresses the looming shortage of college-educated workers and the need for stronger educational pathways to meet workforce demands (The Journal Record).
  • "College Prep Programs Should Be Open to All Students" – advocates for broader access to college preparatory programs, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity in education (The Oklahoman).
  • "The Unfair Burden of Chronic Absenteeism on Oklahoma Schools" – discusses how chronic absenteeism hinders student success and places strains on schools, affecting academic outcomes and resource allocation (MetroFamily Magazine).

His insights underscore the interconnectedness of educational policy, workforce development, and student opportunity, making him a key voice in Oklahoma’s education landscape.

Professional Leadership & Community Engagement

Mr. Stefanick has been an influential leader in public education policy, serving as:

  • President (2022-2024) and Vice-President (2020-2022) of the Oklahoma Public Charter School Association
  • Education advisor to Oklahoma State Senator George Young and former State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister

His contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including:

  • School Choice Advocate Award (2019) – School Choice Matters
  • NextGen Under 30 Winner (2016)
  • Leadership Oklahoma City LOYAL Class XVI Graduate (2022)

Mr. Stefanick holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Central Oklahoma (2015) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Mathematics from the University of Oklahoma (2011). With 13 years of experience in education and a decade in administration, he remains committed to fostering academic excellence and expanding educational opportunities for students across Oklahoma City.