Richard Kane Elementary School

Richard Kane Elementary School is a PK-5 public school in Bartlesville, OK, serving 481 students within the Bartlesville School District. The school serves a high-poverty population, with over 81% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, yet it has achieved a remarkable turnaround, rising from the 14th percentile statewide in 2021-2022 to the 59th percentile (3 stars) for the 2024-2025 school year.

Richard Kane’s most impressive strength is its exceptional performance with students from low socio-economic backgrounds, ranking in the 72nd percentile statewide for this measure. The school also boasts the lowest chronic absenteeism rate in the district at just 4.9%, far below the state average of 19.0%. This focus on attendance and targeted support has helped the school outperform its demographic expectations. For context, Jane Phillips Elementary, located just 1.2 miles away and serving a similarly high-poverty population (98%), is a 1-star school (11th percentile) with a 14.5% absenteeism rate, showing that poverty does not determine outcomes. Meanwhile, Wayside Elementary is the district’s top performer (93rd percentile, 5 stars) but serves a much lower-poverty population (34.91%) and spends less per student, suggesting the district strategically allocates more resources to schools like Richard Kane.

While the school’s overall trajectory is positive, test scores show a mixed picture. Richard Kane outperforms district and state averages in Mathematics (36%) and Science (40%), but lags in English Language Arts (25%), matching the state average. A notable concern is a "5th grade math dip," where proficiency drops from 50% in 3rd grade to just 21% in 5th grade, indicating a need for stronger support in advanced math concepts. With higher spending per student ($8,613) and a low student-teacher ratio (13:1), Richard Kane is using its resources effectively to close achievement gaps, but literacy and upper-grade math remain key areas for continued focus.