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Downtown McAlesterPhoto: Jeremy Wagg · Public domain
A−
Schools in McAlester · McAlester Public Schools, Frink-Chambers Public School

McAlester’s public schools outscore 77% of Oklahoma districts

40% of students in McAlester’s public schools are proficient in math, above the Oklahoma average (25%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving McAlester, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Oklahoma, not nationally.

#33of 130 Oklahoma townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Oklahoma state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
34%
▲ 7 pts vs OK 27%
2021–22
Math proficiency
40%
▲ 15 pts vs OK 25%
2021–22
Graduate on time
79%
▼ 2 pts vs OK 81%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$13.8K
▲ 13% vs OK $12.2K
FY2024 · McAlester
Students per teacher
15.9
OK 16.1
Schools in town
8
3,008 students on the public path
In brief

McAlester’s schools, in brief

Above the state on tests

Reading proficiency is 34% and math 40% across both districts in spring 2022, against 27% and 25% statewide; 79% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 81%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

McAlester spends $13,812 per student and Frink-Chambers Public School $10,990, against $12,210 across Oklahoma (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓

Choice beyond the district

Lakewood Christian School (private) and McAlester Christian Academy (private) are in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind McAlester’s grade

A Test scoresC− Graduation

A−: better than 77% of Oklahoma school districts, #33 of 130 Oklahoma towns. Test scores are above the Oklahoma average; graduation is below it.

Oklahoma school districts we grade (522)Better than 77%
Lower resultsHigher results
Oklahoma towns with similar household incomes (401)Better than 80%
B+A−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,618 test results and a graduating class of 229 could put McAlester anywhere from B+ to A−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of McAlester’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,619 in math, 1,617 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve McAlester, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–2Will Rogers EsMcAlester Public SchoolsA+
3–4Puterbaugh Upper ElementaryMcAlester Public SchoolsNo scores
7–8Randy Hughes Middle SchoolMcAlester Public SchoolsNo scores
9–12McAlester HSMcAlester Public SchoolsB+

McAlester runs its own schools through grade 12 (McAlester Public Schools). From grade PK, students attend the Frink-Chambers Public School. Parts of McAlester (7% and 2% of its land) are served by Krebs Public School and Tannehill Public School instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

Two districts serve McAlester

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

McAlester Public SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 6 schools · 3,008 students · 16.2 per teacher (OK 16.1)
$13,812OK $12,210 · FY2024
B+
Frink-Chambers Public SchoolGrades PK–8 · 1 schools · 388 students, down 5% since 2020–21 · 14.3 per teacher (OK 16.1)
$10,990OK $12,210 · FY2024
A+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading · PK–12, McAlester Public Schools32%
State average 27.2% · 1404 students tested
Math · PK–12, McAlester Public Schools39%
State average 24.9% · 1406 students tested
Reading · PK–8, Frink-Chambers Public School47%
State average 27.2% · 213 students tested
Math · PK–8, Frink-Chambers Public School49%
State average 24.9% · 213 students tested

McAlester vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Oklahoma towns that share McAlester’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
McAlesterA−McAlester PK–12 · Frink-Chambers Public School PK–8
KrebsB+Krebs Public School

Every school in McAlester

8 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Oklahoma’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in McAlesterby address
Karla Brock Early Childhood Academy
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
229 students25:1Rate it →
Will Rogers Es
Elementary · Grades K–2
A+
535 students14:1Rate it →
Puterbaugh Upper Elementary
Elementary · Grades 3–4
378 students15:1Rate it →
Parker Intermediate CTR
Middle · Grades 5–6
A−
437 students17:1Rate it →
Randy Hughes Middle School
Middle · Grades 7–8
447 students15:1Rate it →
McAlester HS
High · Grades 9–12
B+
982 students17:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Lakewood Christian School
Grades K–12
Private · Religious
148 students8:1Rate it →
McAlester Christian Academy
Elementary · Grades PK–K
Private · Religious
30 students30:1Rate it →

Questions about McAlester’s schools

Are McAlester’s schools good?

By Oklahoma’s own tests, yes: the public schools McAlester children attend outscore 77% of Oklahoma’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #33 of 130 Oklahoma towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 80%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is McAlester in?

Two districts: McAlester Public Schools runs grades PK–12, and Frink-Chambers Public School runs grades PK–8.

Where do McAlester kids go to high school?

McAlester HS, with 982 students; its own test results earn a B+.

What is McAlester’s graduation rate?

79% of the class of 2023 in McAlester Public Schools graduated in four years, against 81% across Oklahoma.

How much does McAlester spend per student?

$13,812 in McAlester Public Schools and $10,990 in Frink-Chambers Public School (FY2024), against $12,210 across Oklahoma. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in McAlester?

Yes: Lakewood Christian School (religious, grades K–12, 148 students) and McAlester Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–K, 30 students).

Parents talk

What McAlester families are saying about school.

Town Square →
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Looking for colleges? Colleges near McAlester → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Oklahoma. Stars are from neighbors.