About Rise

In spring 2005 a Stillwater family learned halfway through their pregnancy that their third child would be born with Down syndrome.  The family had recently moved to Stillwater to take a position on the Oklahoma State University football coaching staff.  While educating themselves about Down syndrome and researching available services, they had a chance meeting with Mack and Sally Brown (head football coach at the University of Texas and his wife), who told them about the Rise School in Austin which is modeled after the original Rise School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

The school in Tuscaloosa at the University of Alabama is named "Rise" and focuses on the needs of toddlers and preschoolers who have developmental disabilities. Under the long-term leadership and influence of Martha Cook, Ed.D., Rise has developed and implemented an effective early childhood special education approach. A unique component of the program is the integration of children having developmental disabilities with typically developing peers, which has resulted in children's achievements beyond previous expectations.

After visiting the Rise Schools in Dallas, Austin, and Tuscaloosa, and visiting educators and physicians in Stillwater, this family became convinced that a Rise School could benefit many children in north central Oklahoma.  With enthusiasm and encouragement, this family approached the College of Human Environmental Sciences at Oklahoma State University, and together they have established the Rise School of Stillwater.  The Rise School of Stillwater began operation in the fall of 2007 in rented classroom space at the Stillwater Head Start building.  The program offers services daily (Monday-Friday) and serves approximately 20 children in 2 classrooms.

New Director Announced for Rise School of Stillwater