The top reported proficiency rate is 27% in English language arts. The lowest is 15% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Morris Ms
Morris MS is a small public middle school serving grades six through eight in the rural town of Morris, Oklahoma. It operates as part of the Morris Public Schools district. With a student body that fits a school of its grade band, it is one of the few school buildings in a town where most adult residents drive alone to work and the average commute is typical for a rural Oklahoma community.
On the 2024-25 Oklahoma state assessments, Morris MS posted results that are best understood in context. Proficiency rates were low in absolute terms. In seventh grade, a modest share of students scored proficient or above in math, and a somewhat larger but still below-half share did so in English language arts. Eighth-grade math and English both showed very low proficiency, while eighth-grade science came in just above a quarter of students. Sixth-grade results were suppressed for data privacy reasons, but the overall picture is clear: most students are not meeting the state’s proficiency bar. However, when set against other middle-level schools in Okmulgee County, Morris MS sits above the midpoint for overall proficiency. That county-level comparison means several nearby districts produce even lower scores, so the school’s academic standing is middling within a generally low-proficiency region. A parent reviewing these numbers may want to ask the school about instructional supports and how the district is addressing the gap.
The student body is racially diverse but with a distinct local character. White students and American Indian or Alaska Native students each make up a large share, with a substantial number of students identifying as two or more races. Black, Hispanic, and Asian students together account for very few enrollments. No data on free or reduced-price lunch eligibility, special education, or English learner status were reported, so a family should request that information directly from the district to understand the school’s full support picture.
Morris itself is a small, car-dependent town in Okmulgee County. Historically rooted in cattle, coal, oil, ranching, and farming, the town now has a mix of finance, retail, and public administration employment. No single large private employer dominates. The population has been declining in recent years, and no major new housing developments were publicly reported. Homeownership is below the national average, and a notable share of housing units sit vacant. Housing values are well below both the Oklahoma state median and the national median, making the area one of the more affordable options in the region. The town’s amenities are modest: a park with a playground and walking trail, a youth sports complex, a public library, and the nearby Lake Eufaula. The local newspaper ceased publication in 2020.
The district itself has no recent parent-relevant changes publicly reported, so families should check with the district office directly for any updates on programming, facilities, or leadership.
For a family weighing this school, the academic outlook is one where the school performs better than some peers in a low-performing county but still has ample room for improvement. The school serves a small, diverse, and economically mixed community in a shrinking rural town with affordable housing. A parent prioritizing strong test scores would find more consistent results elsewhere, but for a family already living in or moving to Morris, the school is the local option for grades six through eight, and the district’s small size may offer familiarity and close community ties.
See more original research from School Decision →