Accreditation & History

The 8th Grade Center is accredited by the Oklahoma State Department of Education and AdvancED. Its accreditation process, involving parents, teachers and administrators at each site, is considered a model for other school districts. 

The 8th Grade Center was dedicated in 1980 and underwent a major renovation which was completed in 2006. The improvements include the new media center, security features, an expanded cafeteria, additional classrooms and offices and improved parking. In 2015, an additional renovation was completed that included Fine Arts classrooms, a second gymnasium and an updated soccer facility.

8^th Grade PTA Board

• Jamie Rogers - President [email protected]
• Ashley Freeman - Vice President
• Sandra Yokota - Treasurer
• Melisa Neverner - Secretary
• Anna Long - Council Delegate
• Julie Liniger - Hospitality Chair
• Heather Andrew - Social Chair
• Jennifer Oetken - Foundation Liaison
• Jen Buchanan - Teacher Appreciation Week Chair
• Amberley Morris - Fundraising Chair

Principal Staff 

Michelle Cundy was named principal of the 8th Grade Center in 2015. She is a 1984 graduate of Westville High School. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in business education from Northeastern State University and received her master's degree in education administration from the University of Oklahoma in 2008.

Cundy taught business and computers a total of 20 years including eight years at the Union 8th Grade Center. While teaching Cundy received certification as a Microsoft Office Expert and a Microsoft Certified Professional. She served as 10th Grade Assistant Principal at the Union Intermediate High School for three years, before joining the administrative team at Union High School as assistant principal - her previous position before moving to the 8th Grade Center.

Danika Bushyhead joined Union in August 2019 and was named an assistant principal at the 8^th Grade Center in 2020. She came to Union from Jenks Middle School where she taught Pre-Algebra and Algebra I. Bushyhead has been an educator since 2013, working as a teacher and coach for Stillwater Middle School until 2016 when she relocated to Jenks Public Schools. She is a graduate of Jenks High School with a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in education administration from Northeastern State University. She received her certification for school administration from NSU in 2019.

Greg Kelly was named an assistant principal at the 8^th Grade Center in 2022. Previously, Kelly had joined the Union 6th/7th Grade Center as an assistant principal intern in July of 2017. He has been with Union since 2007 as a teacher and is proud to say he is a Union lifer himself. During his previous years with Union, he taught both on level- and pre- advanced placement classes in American history, American government, and Oklahoma history and coached volleyball. Additionally, he has taught in Texas and Tulsa Public Schools. 
Kelly received his bachelor’s degree from Abilene Christian University in west Texas and his master’s degree in curriculum and instruction as well as his administration certification from Arkansas State University. 
In his spare time, Kelly enjoys spending time with his wife, Lisa, and his children, Wade and Allyson, playing golf, watching movies and reading.