Mr. Ben Pemberton, Principal of Fort Gibson High School, has been selected as the 2026 Oklahoma High School Principal of the Year by the Oklahoma Association of Secondary School Principals (OASSP).
Mr. Pemberton has served as principal of Fort Gibson High School for the past seven years, during which he has led significant academic and school-wide improvement efforts. Under his leadership, the school implemented a comprehensive ACT readiness strategy that has produced a junior class composite average of 19.7—2.5 points higher than the most recently reported state average. Key components of this initiative include the integration of ACT bellwork across all core subjects and grade levels, a required ACT Accelerator course for all juniors, a spring ACT Prep Week, a district-funded fall ACT administration for every 11th-grade student, and a dedicated one-day ACT workshop each fall.
Fort Gibson High School has also experienced notable gains across multiple indicators over the past several years. The four-year graduation rate has risen from 87.9% to 95%, student attendance has increased from 78.8% to 94%, and the number of students pursuing post-secondary pathways has grown from 50% to 62%. These achievements culminated in Fort Gibson High School being recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School for Exemplary High Performance in 2025.
"I am honored to work alongside Mr. Ben Pemberton," stated Scott Farmer, Superintendent of Fort Gibson Public Schools. "His dedication to our students and community is second to none, and his intentional leadership and unwavering compassion for student well-being set him apart. This recognition as the OASSP Principal of the Year is truly well deserved."
Mr. Pemberton has been instrumental in reshaping the school schedule to incorporate a weekly Wednesday advisory period for all students. Each incoming freshman is paired with an advisory teacher who supports them throughout their four years of high school. This dedicated time allows teachers to build meaningful relationships while guiding students through the ICAP process and the development of a comprehensive graduation portfolio. In addition, Mr. Pemberton has led important updates to graduation requirements, ensuring every student participates in at least one post-secondary opportunity during their junior or senior year.
Dr. Pam Deering, CCOSA Executive Director, said, “On behalf of CCOSA, I am proud to congratulate Ben Pemberton on being selected as the OASSP High School Principal of the Year. Ben is an exceptional leader whose vision, compassion, and commitment to excellence have strengthened not only his school community but the broader landscape of public education in Oklahoma. His dedication to empowering teachers, supporting students, and fostering a culture where everyone can thrive reflects the very best of what school leadership should be. This honor is a testament to his hard work and his unwavering belief in the potential of every child. We are grateful for his service and thrilled to celebrate this well-deserved recognition.”
“I want to congratulate Ben Pemberton on being selected as the OASSP High School Principal of the Year," stated OASSP Executive Director Chris LeGrande. "Ben’s commitment to instructional leadership has elevated every corner of his school community, and his work embodies the excellence we aim to champion across our state. Being recognized as a Blue Ribbon School for Exemplary High Performance is a testament to his vision, his dedication to students and staff, and his unwavering pursuit of academic excellence. We are proud to honor his leadership and grateful for the standard he sets for all Oklahoma school leaders.”
In addition to being honored at the CCOSA Summer Leadership Conference in May 2026, Mr. Pemberton will join fellow state nominees in Washington, D.C., in April 2026, when the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) announces the National Middle Level and High School Principals of the Year during its annual National Education Leadership Awards celebration. This is only the second time since 2014 that NASSP has expanded its recognition program to honor both middle-level and high school principals.