The top reported proficiency rate is 23% in Science. The lowest is 6% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Astec Charters
ASTEC Charters is a district of charter schools serving students from PreK through 12th grade in Oklahoma County. As a charter district, it operates with its own governing board and is sponsored by Oklahoma City Community College, a change from a prior arrangement with Oklahoma State University. The district runs three schools: an elementary school, a middle school, and a high school, which together enroll a student population that is overwhelmingly Hispanic, with White, two or more races, Black, Asian, and American Indian or Alaska Native students each making up much smaller shares. The district does not report the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, nor does it provide counts for students with disabilities or English learners, so the level of economic need and special-education support in the district is not clear from available data.
Academically, ASTEC Charters faces steep challenges. On the Oklahoma School Testing Program, proficiency rates in both math and English language arts are low across every tested grade. In math, proficiency rates among third through eighth graders fall in the mid-single digits, with a slight uptick at the fifth-grade level. In English language arts, rates are similarly low, cresting at the eighth-grade level where about one in eight students meets the proficiency bar. Science results show a different pattern: eighth-grade proficiency is notably higher than fifth-grade proficiency, though still well below a majority of students. The district's overall proficiency index, which averages results across tested subjects and grades, places ASTEC in the bottom quartile among Oklahoma County's districts.
On a brighter note, ASTEC posts a chronic absenteeism rate that is in the top quartile among its county peers, meaning very few students are missing a large number of school days. This suggests strong day-to-day attendance, which is a foundation for any academic progress. Per-pupil current spending at ASTEC is above the midpoint for the county, reflecting a higher level of investment per student, though how that money is allocated is not detailed in the available data.
The district is investing heavily in facilities. A new middle and high school campus is scheduled to open in Fall 2026, and a new elementary school campus has already been added, expanding PreK-5 capacity. New athletic infrastructure, including a regulation-size soccer field, futsal courts, and volleyball courts, has been built, broadening the extracurricular options available to students. These additions signal a district that is growing and putting resources into its physical plant and programming.
Families considering ASTEC should weigh the low academic proficiency rates against the district's strong attendance record and its expansion of facilities and programs. A parent may want to ask the district directly about the support structures in place to raise student achievement, and about what services are available for students who are behind grade level. The charter model allows ASTEC to operate with some flexibility, so the quality of instruction and intervention may differ from the traditional district model. The district's demographic profile is distinctive, and for families seeking a school environment where the student body is predominantly Hispanic, this may be a natural fit.
See more original research from School Decision →