The top reported proficiency rate is 29% in Science. The lowest is 11% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Jefferson Es
Jefferson ES is a public school in Ardmore, Oklahoma, serving only fifth and sixth grade. It is part of the Ardmore school district and sits in a mid-sized regional hub that functions as the principal trade center for a multi-county area in south-central Oklahoma. Ardmore’s economy is a mix of manufacturing, energy, healthcare, and distribution, anchored by a Michelin tire plant, a Valero refinery, and Mercy Hospital. The community has experienced modest population growth, though the announced partial closure of the Michelin plant is likely to reshape the local economic trajectory. Housing costs are moderate relative to national benchmarks, and the city is largely car-dependent with a walkable downtown core but auto-oriented suburbs.
The student body at Jefferson ES is diverse. White students make up the largest single group, followed by a substantial share of Hispanic students and students who identify as two or more races. Black students and American Indian students each account for smaller but notable portions of the enrollment. The school serves just two grade levels and enrolls a modest total number of students. Data on the share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals, students with disabilities, and English learners was not available; a parent may want to ask the school directly about these figures.
On state assessments administered through Oklahoma’s School Testing Program, proficiency rates were low across both grades and all subjects tested. In fifth grade, roughly one in six students met the state’s proficiency standard in math and in English language arts. In sixth grade, the share was lower, with roughly one in fourteen students proficient in math and a comparable figure in English language arts. Science results in fifth grade were somewhat higher but still low. Because the state changed cut scores for math and English language arts, year-to-year trend comparisons are not reliable for this testing cycle. When placed alongside other schools and districts in Carter County, Jefferson ES’s overall proficiency index fell in the bottom quarter of the group.
Because the school does not serve high school grades, there is no graduation rate to report. Information on discipline, chronic absenteeism, staffing ratios, and course access were also absent from the available data. The district brief turned up no recent parent-relevant changes such as boundary adjustments or program overhauls.
For families examining Jefferson ES, the core academic picture is one of significant challenge. Proficiency levels are well below what most families would hope to see. A parent considering this school will want to have a close conversation with the administration about what academic supports, interventions, and enrichment opportunities are in place to help students reach grade-level expectations. The school’s size and single-building configuration may allow for targeted attention to the two grades it houses, but the assessment results suggest that many students are not yet meeting state standards. There is no evidence from the data of advanced coursework or specialized program offerings; those would be better assessed through direct inquiry with the school and district.
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