The top reported proficiency rate is 51% in Science. The lowest is 23% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Horace Mann Es
Horace Mann Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade in Duncan, Oklahoma, as part of the Duncan school district. It is a neighborhood school drawing from a residential part of this south-central Oklahoma city. The student body is predominantly white, with a substantial Hispanic population and a notable share of students identifying as two or more races; smaller groups include Asian, American Indian, and Black students. The school does not report the share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, and data on students with individualized education plans and English learners is also absent. A parent may want to ask the school directly about its support for these populations.
State testing results offer a mixed picture. In math, proficiency rates across grades three through five fall in a range that is below half of tested students. In English language arts, performance is lower still; third-grade reading proficiency is particularly weak, and fourth-grade reading results were suppressed, meaning the number of students tested was too small to report publicly. Fifth-grade science stands out as a relative strength, with about half of students reaching the proficient or advanced level. The overall proficiency index across tested subjects and grades places Horace Mann above the midpoint among the districts in Stephens County, a useful local context. But the absolute results suggest that many students are not meeting grade-level benchmarks in math and reading, and a family considering this school may want to discuss what interventions or supports are in place, especially in early literacy.
As an elementary school, Horace Mann does not produce a graduation rate or offer high-school-level programs like Advanced Placement or career pathways. No information is available about the school’s discipline rates, chronic absenteeism, or staffing ratios, so it is not possible to assess those dimensions of the school environment from the data provided.
The community context is central to understanding the school. Duncan is the county seat of Stephens County, a city that grew rapidly after oil discoveries and remains anchored by the Halliburton Corporation, which maintains multiple complexes in town. Agriculture, especially cattle, also shapes the economy. Significant local employers include Duncan Regional Hospital and the Chickasaw Nation. The downtown district, with its parks and walking trails, is a recognized community asset, and civic anchors such as the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center and Fuqua Park give the town a sense of place. Housing in the area is notably affordable relative to state and national benchmarks; typical home values are below the Oklahoma average, and monthly rents are similarly moderate, making the community accessible for many families. The city’s economic development foundation cites positive growth in recent assessments, and the town benefits from the presence of a vocational technology center and a branch of Cameron University.
For a parent, Horace Mann represents a traditional public elementary school in a small industrial city with a strong oilfield history and affordable housing. The academic data points to areas of concern, especially in reading, that would merit a direct conversation with the school about its curriculum and support structures. The above-midpoint county comparison offers some reassurance that performance is not at the bottom locally, but that is measured against a set of districts in a county where the top performer is not dramatically higher. Without data on class size, teacher experience, or specialized programs, a family’s next step would be to visit the school and talk with the principal and teachers.
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