In August 1998, we opened our doors to 225 students in grades six, seven, and eight. The school was established by a group of parents dedicated to providing improved educational experiences for students. The school was originally established as Independence Enterprise Middle School; after the passage of the Oklahoma Charter Schools Act, the school converted to charter status, becoming the first charter school in Oklahoma. We have operated as Independence Charter Middle School (ICMS) ever since. In 2022, in response to the OKCPS Pathway to Greatness Initiative’s grade-band changes, ICMS added a fifth-grade academy.  In 2024, the school changed it's name to Harding Charter Preparatory Middle School at Independence to better reflect our shared identity and commitment to providing students with an excellent PK-12 educational option.

Our mission is to prepare our students to be successful in a college-preparatory high school.  

• Open-access gifted & talented program  
• All students take honors courses  
• All 8th grade students take pre-AP level courses   
• Emphasis on writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading  
• Robust Character Education program
• Elective options with visual arts, vocal music, instrumental music, debate, and more.
• Small school community with student-teacher ratio of 16:1  
• After-school tutoring offered 3 times a week 
• Top-priority ranking for admission to Harding Charter Preparatory High School  
• FREE to attend and OPEN to all!   

Jami West began her educational career at Allison Traditional Magnet Middle School in Wichita, Kansas, where she spent her first six years in education teaching 7th grade English and Eastern Geography. Upon relocating to Oklahoma, West taught Literacy at Cheyenne Middle School in Edmond for the next six years. Her career continued at Charles Haskell Elementary in Edmond by serving as a reading specialist. West moved to Independence Charter Middle school as the Dean of Students/Behavior Interventionist to begin her administrative career in 2018. She has served the ICMS community for the past 5 years and currently is the principal. 

West earned her Bachelor of Science in Education Degree from Oklahoma Baptist University in 1997. She went on to earn her Master Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in reading from Wichita State University in 2004. In 2006, West became a National Board-Certified Teacher in middle level English. She went on to earn a second Master Degree from the University of Central Oklahoma in Educational Leadership in 2017. 

EDUCATION AND SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS   

Earned Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership (University of Central Oklahoma, 2017)  

Earned Masters’ Degree in Curriculum and Instruction (Wichita State University, 2004)  

Earned Bachelor of Science in Education Degree (Oklahoma Baptist University, 1997)  

25 years of experience in education   

6 years of experience in administration    

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Principal, Harding Charter Preparatory Middle School, 2023-Present

Assistant Principal/Dean of Students, Independence Charter Middle School, 2018-2023

Title 1 Reading Specialist, Edmond Public Schools, 2011-2018

8th Grade Literacy Teacher, Edmond Public Schools, 2004-2010

7th Grade English/Social Studies Teacher, Wichita Public Schools, 1998-2004

School Office Contact Information

Phone: 405-767-3003

Fax: 405-609-1677

Website – www.hicd.org

School Address

3232 NW 65th Street Oklahoma City, OK 73116

Summer Office Hours

(M - TH) 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Breakfast

7:15 a.m. – 7:35 a.m.

School Hours

7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.

Principal Offices

7:15 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.

Attendance Office

7:15 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.

Counseling Office

7:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.

COUNSELOR APPT. FORM

Classroom Teachers

7:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.

After School Activities

(M, T, TH) 2:50 p.m. – 4:05 p.m.