Photo: Nils Huenerfuerst · CC BY-SA 4.0Tulsa’s public schools score below 94% of Oklahoma districts on tests and graduation
On the state math tests, 9% of Tulsa’s students scored proficient, below the Oklahoma average (25%). The grade covers the public school district serving Tulsa, 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.
From Oklahoma state tests taken in spring 2022, when 96% 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.
Tulsa’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 13% of tested students were proficient in reading and 9% in math, against 27% and 25% statewide; 96% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
65% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 81% across Oklahoma. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $12,703 per student, against $12,210 across Oklahoma (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
46 elementary schools, then 12 middle and 11 high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 7% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Deborah Brown Charter Es, Dove School of Discovery Es Tulsa, Dove Science Academy HS Tulsa, Dove Science Academy Es Tulsa, Tulsa Legacy Es, Sankofa Middle School, Tulsa SCHL of Arts and Science MS, Tulsa SCHL of Arts and Science HS, KIPP Tulsa MS College Prep, KIPP Tulsa HS University Prep, College Bound-Eastside Campus, College Bound-Brookside Campus, Tulsa Honor Es, Tulsa Honor HS, Tulsa Honor Flores MS, Tulsa Classical Academy Es, Tulsa Classical Academy HS, Metro Christian Academy (private), Lincoln Christian School (private), Bishop Kelley High School, Inc. (private), Monte Cassino School (private), Riverfield Country Day School (private), Cascia Hall Preparatory School (private), Marquette Catholic School (private), St. Pius X School (private), School of St. Mary (private), Peace Academy (private), Wright Christian Academy (private), The Little Light House (private), Undercroft Montessori School (private), University School (private), Town & Country School (private), Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic School (private), St. Catherine School (private), Crossover Preparatory Academy (private), Miss Helens Private School (private), Drexel Academy (private), Lighthouse Christian Academy (private), Tulsa Adventist Academy (private), Destiny's Learning Academy (private), Lake Hills Montessori School (private), Christian Montessori Academy (private), San Miguel School of Tulsa (private) and Mizel Jewish Community Day School (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.
What’s behind Tulsa’s grade
D: better than 6% of Oklahoma school districts, #126 of 130 Oklahoma towns. Both inputs trail the Oklahoma average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Tulsa, with each school’s own grade.
Tulsa’s public schools are run by Tulsa Public Schools. Parts of Tulsa (11%, 10%, 5% and 4% of its land) are served by Jenks, Union, Broken Arrow and Catoosa instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Tulsa vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Oklahoma towns that share Tulsa’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Tulsa | D | Tulsa |
| Fair Oaks | — | Catoosa |
| Broken Arrow | B | Broken Arrow |
| Jenks | A | Jenks PK–12 · Bixby PK–12 |
| Sapulpa | B | Sapulpa |
| Bixby | A | Bixby |
| Sand Springs | B | Sand Springs |
| Catoosa | C+ | Catoosa |
| Sperry | C+ | Sperry |
Every school in Tulsa
130 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).
Questions about Tulsa’s schools
Are Tulsa’s schools good?
On Oklahoma’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Tulsa children attend score below 94% of Oklahoma’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #126 of 130 Oklahoma towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 3%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Tulsa in?
Tulsa Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 33,617 students in 69 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Tulsa are served by Jenks, Union, Broken Arrow and Catoosa.
Where do Tulsa kids go to high school?
One of 11 high schools, depending on your address: Booker T. Washington HS, East Central HS, Thomas Edison Preparatory HS, Memorial HS, Nathan Hale HS, Will Rogers College HS, Traice, McLain HS for Science and Tech, Central HS, Daniel Webster HS and Tulsa Met HS.
What is Tulsa’s graduation rate?
65% of the class of 2023 in Tulsa Public Schools graduated in four years, against 81% across Oklahoma.
How much does Tulsa spend per student?
$12,703 in Tulsa Public Schools (FY2024), against $12,210 across Oklahoma. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Tulsa?
Yes: Metro Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 1,074 students), Lincoln Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 1,011 students), Bishop Kelley High School, Inc. (Catholic, grades 9–12, 892 students), Monte Cassino School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 776 students), Riverfield Country Day School (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 629 students), Cascia Hall Preparatory School (Catholic, grades 6–12, 544 students), Marquette Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 490 students), St. Pius X School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 360 students), School of St. Mary (Catholic, grades PK–8, 315 students), Peace Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 236 students), Wright Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 235 students), The Little Light House (religious, grades PK–K, 233 students), Undercroft Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 233 students), University School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 185 students), Town & Country School (special education, grades 2–12, 174 students), Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 166 students), St. Catherine School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 156 students), Crossover Preparatory Academy (religious, grades 6–12, 130 students), Miss Helens Private School (nonsectarian, grades PK–5, 127 students), Drexel Academy (religious, grades PK–5, 108 students), Lighthouse Christian Academy (religious, grades K–12, 102 students), Tulsa Adventist Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 100 students), Destiny's Learning Academy (religious, grades PK, 70 students), Lake Hills Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 68 students), Christian Montessori Academy (religious, grades PK–7, 66 students), San Miguel School of Tulsa (Catholic, grades 6–8, 66 students) and Mizel Jewish Community Day School (religious, grades PK–5, 60 students). Tulsa also has 17 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Tulsa families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Tulsa → 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.