Robert B. Grove Elementary opened in 1975. Grove began his long career at Union in 1945 as a science teacher and basketball coach. He became Union High School's principal in 1946 and served as superintendent from 1960-1975. Grove Elementary underwent an extensive remodeling in 2010 and 2011, which included the additions of an expanded gym and a new office. A re-dedication of the school was held in November 2011.

Accreditation and staff

Grove Elementary 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.

Grove is also classified as a school-wide Title I school. 

Our staff is very highly qualified with one National Board Certified Staff member.  We have staff members with a master’s degree in English Language Learning. Many others also have advanced degrees.

Principal Staff

 grew up in southeast Kansas and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas.  After moving to Oklahoma, she earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Langston University and later a master’s degree in educational leadership from Oklahoma State University. 

Berns began her teaching career at Roy Clark Elementary in 1993 teaching fourth grade. She began as assistant principal of Grove Elementary in 2005, returned to Roy Clark Elementary for 2007-2008 and then back to Grove Elementary for 2008-2009. In 2009, she was named principal of Grove.

Berns and her husband Dave have two children, David and Grace.  They also have two dogs named Rocky and Smokey.  She enjoys reading, camping, traveling and spending time with her family.

Dr. Leedy Smith was named assistant principal in 2019, after serving as an administrative intern at Grove Elementary School in 2018. Dr. Smith earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Spanish as well as a master’s degree from Harding University. Her doctorate in educational administration and curriculum supervision is from The University of Oklahoma.

Dr. Smith’s teaching career began in 1998 in Tennessee. She also taught in Texas before moving back to Oklahoma to continue her career. Throughout the course of her career, Dr. Smith has taught all levels of Spanish from Spanish 1 to AP Spanish Literature and worked as an instructional coach.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching movies, and reading.