The staff, parents, and community of Oak Grove will unite students from neighborhood elementary schools in a safe, positive, and caring environment. OGMS will promote academic excellence and expand curricular opportunities for all students. Through effective parental involvement and communication the OGMS learning community will successfully bridge our students’ transition to the next educational level.

Parents play a critical role in their child’s future. Our goal is to supply the most information possible for parents to make informed decisions about their child’s growth. At OGMS we strive to provide as many opportunities for parent involvement as possible. Monthly newsletters and parent center materials are available through the library and our parent resource shelf in the school lobby to keep parents informed of events at OGMS. Contact the Parent Coordinator Mrs. Kathy Cook, kcook@paragouldschools.net for further information.

Honors Courses: The Paragould School District is committed to providing all students with opportunities to engage in a rigorous, challenging curriculum. This is done through honors courses. As early as 6th grade, we begin offering honors classes in math and literacy to those students who demonstrate the desire to be challenged. Multiple sections of honors math and literacy classes are offered to accommodate students who qualify and demonstrate the willingness to do the extra work that is required.

Gifted and Talented: Students interested in GT can be referred by a teacher or parent for Gifted and Talented testing. Our GT classes are weekly pull-out classes where problem-solving activities and projects are completed. GT students also have the opportunity to compete in chess tournaments at school and through our local educational cooperative.

Science Lab: All OGMS students have access to a fully-equipped science lab. Students become completely engaged as they conduct experiments to learn science in a very hands-on, kinesthetic atmosphere.

Keyboarding/EAST Initiative: All fifth graders at OGMS are scheduled for keyboarding class to learn and improve their skills. EAST Initiative allows sixth graders to continue to expand their technology experiences and use that experience to better their community. Each year, a select team of 8-12 sixth graders attends EAST Conference to showcase their projects and what they’ve learned in EAST.

B.A.M. Events: Students who work hard and exhibit good behavior are rewarded each nine weeks with B.A.M. (Behaviors Are Marvelous) Celebrations. Examples are extra activity time, movie and a snack, Sock Hop, Field Day, etc. Students not eligible for one nine week period will have the opportunity to attend the B.A.M. event at the conclusion of the next nine weeks based upon work completed and good behavior.

Assemblies and Field Trips: Each nine weeks BAM eligible students at OGMS will have the opportunity to participate in special assemblies and/or field trips. They cover a variety of interests including mini-pep rallies, historical studies, guest speakers, anti-bullying events, athletic events, musical and/or theatrical productions, etc.

Intramural Volleyball: Intramural volleyball is offered to all 5th and 6th grade girls at OGMS. Students sign up and are then divided into teams by the volleyball coach. Games are scheduled and teams participate in competition against each other. All students are guaranteed playing time. Travel teams are chosen by the coaches at the conclusion of intramural play and games continue with competition between area schools.

Intramural Basketball: Intramural basketball is offered to all 5th and 6th grade girls and boys. Students are divided into teams by PSD athletic directors, and they participate after school in competition with each other. All students are guaranteed playing time. Separate traveling teams are then chosen by the athletic directors at the conclusion of the intramural schedule and games continue with competition between other, nearby schools.

Boy's Club Football: OGMS supports student participation in the local Boys’ Club Football Program held every August through October. Practices are scheduled on campus after school.

Archery: OGMS Archery is provided in conjunction with the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP), the leading organization in the United States. All archers are required to learn the safety and range procedures before using any equipment. Archery is a sport for anyone, athletes and non-athletes alike.  Generally, there are two teams of 24 archers, one 5th grade and one 6th grade, who participate in after-school activities including practices and tournaments. OGMS hosts a local tournament in February each year. The OGMS Archery Invitational hosts approximately 150 archers from neighboring NE Arkansas schools. This provides extra funding for OGMS Archery activities, equipment, and supplies. The season officially begins in October each year.

Project Prevent: OGMS is happy to host a local chapter of the state-wide organization, Project Prevent. This organization is optional for students - they simply need to sign up with the sponsor, Mrs. Stacy, and attend meetings to be a part of Project Prevent. This program gives our middle school students a way to learn about and educate others about the dangers of nicotine and tobacco abuse. Students in Project Prevent are able to visit students in our elementary schools, attend state conference, and participate in state-wide events.

Mission Outreach Service: Students in honors classes and G/T classes are given the opportunity in the 6th grade to visit and serve at our local Mission Outreach during the lunch hour. This is a great opportunity for students to build empathy and learn to serve our community.