Best Public Schools in Tulsa, OK

The city of Tulsa, Oklahoma is home to 102 schools, including 66 elementary schools, 19 middle schools, and 17 high schools, serving a diverse student population. While the district faces significant challenges, with many high-poverty schools struggling with low academic performance, there are also pockets of excellence, such as Booker T. Washington High School and Deborah Brown Community School, which demonstrate that high-quality education is possible even in disadvantaged communities.

The data reveals stark disparities in academic achievement, with a clear correlation between high poverty levels and lower test scores. Schools like Flores Middle School and Burroughs Elementary School, which have over 90% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, struggle with single-digit proficiency rates in core subjects. In contrast, Henry Zarrow International School and Cedar Ridge Elementary School rank among the top schools in the state, with strong academic performance across grade levels.

The presence of several charter schools, such as Tulsa Honor Academy and Dove Science Academy Tulsa, suggests that school choice may play a role in educational outcomes in Tulsa. Further analysis could explore the impact of these alternative options on student performance and the broader implications for the district's efforts to address educational inequities.