The top reported proficiency rate is 18% in Science. The lowest is 8% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Ryan
Ryan Public Schools serves the small rural community of Ryan in Jefferson County, Oklahoma, covering pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade in two buildings: an elementary school and a high school. The district is small, with an enrollment that reflects a modest student body spread across all grade levels. The student population is predominantly white, with a substantial Hispanic minority and smaller shares of American Indian or Alaska Native and multiracial students. Data on the share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals was not available, nor were counts for students with disabilities or English learners, so a parent would want to ask the district directly about the level of economic need and the support services in place.
State testing results from the Oklahoma School Testing Program are available for the 2024-25 school year, though Oklahoma changed its cut scores for math and English language arts that year, which makes direct comparisons to prior years unreliable. The proficiency rates that were reported are low across the board. In math, the share of students scoring proficient or above was in the single digits for fourth and fifth grades, rose to a modest share in seventh grade, and was suppressed for third, sixth, and eighth grades due to small group sizes. In English language arts, the pattern was similar: a small share of students met the bar in fourth, fifth, sixth, and eighth grades, while third and seventh grade results were suppressed. Science results were also low in fifth grade, though eighth grade science showed a somewhat higher share reaching proficiency. Because several grade-level results were suppressed due to small numbers, the full picture is incomplete, but the reported rates are well below state averages. A parent should discuss with the school how it supports students who are not yet meeting grade-level benchmarks and what interventions are in place.
The district operates two schools: Ryan Elementary and Ryan High School. The high school serves grades nine through twelve, and the elementary school covers the earlier grades. The district's chronic absenteeism rate sits above the midpoint among Jefferson County's districts, meaning a moderate share of students are missing enough school to be flagged as chronically absent. Per-pupil spending is in the upper range compared to the county's other district, which may reflect the costs of running a small rural system. A graduation rate was not available in the data, so a parent should ask the high school directly about its completion rate and postsecondary plans for graduates.
Housing in the area is affordable relative to state and national benchmarks. Home values in the district's zip codes have declined over the past year, and the weighted average is well below the Oklahoma median. The estimated monthly mortgage payment on a typical home is modest, and the price-to-income ratio suggests housing is accessible for local earners. The unemployment rate nationally is moderate, and the district's rural setting in Jefferson County places it in a region where economic activity is tied to agriculture and small-town services.
The district's overall proficiency index, which averages reported rates across tested subjects and grades, places it in the bottom quartile among Jefferson County's two districts. Chronic absenteeism, however, is above the midpoint, meaning the district's rate is better than the county's other district. Per-pupil spending is in the upper range, which is common for small rural districts that must cover fixed costs with a smaller tax base. A graduation rate was not available in the data, so a parent should ask the high school directly about its completion numbers and what pathways students pursue after graduation.
The district's two schools, Ryan Elementary and Ryan High, together cover the full pre-K through twelve span. The high school serves a small cohort of students, with the senior class being the smallest grade. No information on course offerings, Advanced Placement, dual credit, or career and technical education programs was available. A parent interested in the breadth of the high school curriculum should contact the school directly to learn what college-preparatory and vocational options are available.
Housing in the area is inexpensive. Home values in the district's zip codes have declined over the past year, and the weighted average is well below the Oklahoma median. The estimated monthly mortgage payment on a typical home is modest, and the price-to-income ratio suggests housing is accessible for local earners. The national unemployment rate is moderate, and the rural setting in Jefferson County means the local economy is tied to agriculture and small-town services.
The district's chronic absenteeism rate is above the midpoint among Jefferson County's two districts, meaning it is better than the other district's rate. Per-pupil spending is in the upper range, which is common for small rural districts that must cover fixed costs with a smaller tax base. The district's overall proficiency index, which averages reported rates across tested subjects and grades, places it in the bottom quartile among the county's two districts. A parent considering Ryan Public Schools should weigh the low academic attainment numbers against the district's small size and rural character, and should ask the school directly about its curriculum, support for struggling students, and postsecondary outcomes for graduates.
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