Best Public Schools in Balko, OK

The city of Balko, Oklahoma is home to two schools - Balko Elementary School and Balko High School, both part of the Balko school district. While Balko High School is a standout performer, consistently ranking among the top high schools in the state, Balko Elementary has more mixed results with its statewide ranking fluctuating over time.

Balko High School boasts a strong 82.2% four-year graduation rate and its students outperform the state average on several key test metrics, including English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and U.S. History. The school has consistently ranked among the top 40-72 high schools in the state over the past few years, earning 4-5 out of 5 stars from SchoolDigger. In contrast, Balko Elementary School, while rated 5 out of 5 stars by the district, has seen its statewide ranking fluctuate between the top 40% and bottom 30% of Oklahoma elementary schools over the past decade.

Both schools face challenges, with high chronic absenteeism rates of 19.0%, well above the state average. Additionally, the significant difference in per-student spending between the elementary and high school ($9,205 more at the high school) may warrant further investigation into resource allocation and equity. The relatively small enrollments at both schools, with the high school having just 46 students, also suggest the Balko district may face challenges in terms of economies of scale and resource constraints compared to larger school systems.