Best Public Schools in Oklahoma City, OK

The Oklahoma City school district encompasses 144 schools, including 87 elementary schools, 33 middle schools, and 24 high schools, serving students from diverse backgrounds across the city. The district's performance varies widely, with a mix of high-achieving and low-performing schools.

Some of the standout schools in the district include Harding Charter Preparatory High School and Classen High School of Advanced Studies, which rank among the top 10 high schools in the state. These schools boast exceptional proficiency rates and strong graduation rates. At the elementary level, South Lake Elementary School, Wayland Bonds Elementary School, and Earlywine Elementary School are standouts with high proficiency across core subjects. The Santa Fe South Charter district also shows promising results relative to the district and state averages.

However, the district as a whole struggles, with most schools performing below state averages in proficiency. The performance gap between the top and bottom schools is substantial, with the highest-performing schools having proficiency rates 3-4 times higher than the lowest-performing schools. Socioeconomic factors appear to play a significant role, with high-poverty schools generally underperforming their more affluent peers. Additionally, the district-wide chronic absenteeism rate of 19% is concerning and likely contributes to the overall performance challenges.