Oklahoma City Area Schools Earning Top Marks

The latest Oklahoma State Report Card reveals compelling insights into academic excellence within central Oklahoma. While only a select few achieved the coveted “A” grade, The Oklahoman has delved into what makes these top-performing schools shine, offering valuable lessons for educators and communities across the region.

Understanding Oklahoma’s School Report Card

Each year, public schools in Oklahoma are assessed through the Oklahoma State Report Card. This comprehensive grading system evaluates six crucial indicators: academic growth, chronic absenteeism, academic achievement, English language proficiency progress, postsecondary opportunities, and graduation rates. These metrics combine to provide a snapshot of school performance, translating into a letter grade for each institution.

For the 2023-24 school year, a rigorous analysis by The Oklahoman across 526 public school campuses in 10 central Oklahoma counties (Canadian, Cleveland, Grady, Kingfisher, Lincoln, Logan, McClain, Oklahoma, Payne, and Pottawatomie) identified a stark reality: only 34 campuses earned an “A” grade. This highlights the high bar for top academic recognition.

Insights from Top-Performing Schools: What Makes an ‘A’ School?

The Oklahoman recently visited five of these high-achieving schools to uncover their formulas for success. These institutions, ranging from suburban high schools to rural K-12 and charter schools, shared diverse approaches that contribute to their outstanding results.

Rural Excellence: Lomega Public Schools & Maple Public School

In the small rural farming community of Lomega in Kingfisher County, both the Elementary and High Schools earned “A” grades. Success here is attributed not just to dedicated educators and parents but also to the strong work ethic instilled in the students, driving them to meet high expectations.

Maple Public School, a K-8 institution near Calumet in Canadian County, serves a smaller student body of around 200. Its reputation as one of Oklahoma’s best districts stems from an “off-the-formula” makeup that fosters a unique environment for academic achievement.

Urban Innovation: Dove Science Academy OKC & Theodore Roosevelt Elementary

Dove Science Academy in Oklahoma City operates as a tuition-free, STEM-focused charter school, primarily serving low-income students. A key to its success across elementary, middle, and high school levels lies in the faculty’s commitment to engaging the entire family in the educational journey.

Theodore Roosevelt Elementary in Norman, Cleveland County, stands out as one of the few city-area schools to achieve an “A.” Their sustained success is largely due to a special focus on their teachers, ensuring staff remain energized and continuously engaged in learning and professional development.

Managing Growth: Deer Creek High School

Deer Creek High School in Edmond, Oklahoma County, is a rapidly growing suburban institution with approximately 2,000 students. This school excels by proactively addressing and adapting to its students’ evolving needs, demonstrating how large districts can maintain high academic standards amidst expansion.

Spotlight on OKC Area’s ‘A’ Graders: Complete List by County

Here’s a breakdown of the schools in central Oklahoma that received an “A” on the latest Oklahoma State Report Cards, as reported by The Oklahoman:

• Canadian County
  • Maple Public School (Calumet)
  • Piedmont Early Childhood Center
• Cleveland County
  • Brink Junior High School (Moore)
  • Oakridge Elementary School (Moore)
  • Roosevelt Elementary School (Norman)
  • South Lake Elementary School (Moore)
  • Wayland Bonds Elementary School (Moore)
• Grady County
  • Amber-Pocasset High School
  • Middleberg Public School (Blanchard)
  • Pioneer Public School (Chickasha)
• Kingfisher County
  • Lomega Elementary School
  • Lomega High School
• Lincoln County
  • None
• Logan County
  • Mulhall-Orlando High School
• McClain County
  • Blanchard Intermediate Elementary School
  • Blanchard Middle School
• Oklahoma County
  • Academy of Seminole Charter High School (based in Oklahoma City)
  • Bethany High School
  • Bethany Middle School
  • Classen SAS (Oklahoma City)
  • Clegern Elementary School (Edmond)
  • Cross Timbers Elementary School (Edmond)
  • Deer Creek High School
  • Deer Creek Intermediate School
  • Dove Science Academy Elementary School (Warr Acres)
  • Dove Science Academy High School (Oklahoma City)
  • Dove Science Academy Middle School (Warr Acres)
  • Edmond North High School
  • Edmond Santa Fe High School
  • Harding Charter Preparatory High School (Oklahoma City)
  • Oakdale Public School (Edmond)
  • Santa Fe South Pathways Mid-College (Oklahoma City)
• Payne County
  • Richmond Elementary School (Stillwater)
  • Sangre Ridge Elementary School (Stillwater)
  • Westwood Elementary School (Stillwater)
• Pottawatomie County
  • None

Comparing Success Strategies Among Top Oklahoma Schools

Different schools employ unique strategies to achieve top grades. Here’s a quick look at how some of the profiled schools differentiate themselves:

Frequently Asked Questions About Oklahoma’s ‘A’ Schools

• What is the Oklahoma State Report Card?
  It’s an annual assessment that grades public schools based on six indicators: academic growth, chronic absenteeism, academic achievement, English language proficiency progress, postsecondary opportunities, and graduation rates.
• How many “A” schools were identified in central Oklahoma for 2023-24?
  Only 34 out of 526 public school campuses across 10 central Oklahoma counties received an “A” grade.
• What diverse approaches contribute to these schools’ top grades?
  Factors include strong student work ethic, unique small-school environments, STEM focus with family involvement, dedicated teacher development, and effective strategies for managing rapid student growth.
• Which central Oklahoma counties did not have any “A” schools?
  Lincoln County and Pottawatomie County were reported as having no “A” graded schools in the 2023-24 report card for the central Oklahoma area studied.

The success stories from these 34 “A” schools across central Oklahoma provide valuable blueprints, demonstrating that with focused effort, tailored strategies, and community support, academic excellence is achievable, inspiring other schools to strive for similar results.

Oklahoma City Area Schools Earn A Grades