The top reported proficiency rate is 33% in English language arts. The lowest is 9% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Oakdale Elem
Oakdale Elem is a public elementary school serving prekindergarten through fifth grade in Salina, Kansas. It is part of the Salina school district and sits in a city that functions as a regional trade and industrial center for north-central Kansas, anchored by manufacturers, food producers, and two higher-education institutions. The school itself operates as a regular neighborhood elementary school, not a charter or magnet.
The student body is modest in size and reflects a population with substantial economic need. A very high share of students qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that the school serves a community with lower household incomes. Racially and ethnically, the majority of students are white, followed by a notable Hispanic population and a sizable group of students who identify as two or more races. Smaller numbers of Black and Asian students are also enrolled. Data on the share of students with disabilities or English learner status was not reported, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about the supports available for those groups.
Academically, the state testing results from the Kansas Assessment Program show that proficiency rates across the tested grades and subjects are low. In reading and language arts, the share of students meeting the state’s proficiency standard is modest in third and fourth grade but drops sharply by fifth grade. In mathematics, the pattern is similar but with lower rates overall, and fifth-grade science performance is also very low. The school’s overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile among the handful of districts in Saline County when measured against county peers. The state changed cut scores on these assessments in recent years, which makes direct comparisons to earlier years uncertain, but the current picture is one of a school where most students are not reaching grade-level benchmarks in tested subjects. Because Oakdale serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report.
The surrounding community of Salina has experienced modest population decline over recent decades, though it remains a stable commercial hub. Home values in the area are notably lower than the national median, and rents have been rising at a pace above the national average. The local housing market, combined with the school’s large share of economically disadvantaged students, provides important context for understanding the resources families bring to the school. A major bond issue for the Salina district was recently passed, which suggests some level of community investment in school facilities or infrastructure, though specific projects tied to Oakdale have not been publicly detailed.
For a parent, Oakdale Elem presents as a school serving a high-poverty population in a mid-sized, auto-oriented plains city. Academic performance on state tests is low, particularly by fifth grade, and the school’s position relative to other county districts is weak. The absence of reported data on special education and English learner populations leaves gaps in understanding the full range of student needs and supports. Families considering Oakdale may want to visit, talk with teachers about how the school addresses academic gaps, and learn what additional programs or interventions are in place for students who are behind grade level.
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