The top reported proficiency rate is 21% in Science. The lowest is 13% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Kennedy Es
Kennedy Elementary is a pre-kindergarten through fifth grade school in Norman that is part of the Norman Public Schools district. The school serves a student body that is diverse, with the largest group being white students, followed by sizable shares of Hispanic, Black, and multiracial students, as well as smaller numbers of American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander students. The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report.
The state testing results for Kennedy ES show proficiency rates that fall well below the district average and into the bottom quartile when compared to other elementary schools in Cleveland County. In math, the share of students scoring proficient or above declined across grade levels, from the third grade to a notably lower rate in fifth grade. In English language arts, the pattern was similar, with the highest proficiency rate appearing in fifth grade but still at a modest level. Science results for fifth graders were in a similar range. These are the most recent data available, and the state made changes to its cut scores for math and English language arts, which means these results cannot be directly compared to prior years. A parent looking at this school will want to discuss with the school what academic interventions or supports are in place.
The school is part of Norman Public Schools, a district that has seen enrollment pressures. After the 2022-23 school year, the district closed Lincoln and Reagan elementary schools, a restructuring that reshaped attendance zones. At the same time, voters approved a substantial bond in 2023, the largest in district history, for facility upgrades, security improvements, and technology across the district. Families moving into the Kennedy attendance area may want to confirm current feeder patterns and understand how the closure of nearby schools affected Kennedy's enrollment and resources.
Norman itself is a city of notable size, anchored by the University of Oklahoma and a cluster of federal weather research institutions. It functions partly as a bedroom community to Oklahoma City, about a short drive north via Interstate 35, but also has its own substantial economy and cultural life. The city has a historic downtown, a large university campus with museums and athletic venues, and a parks and recreation system that has received outside recognition. The terrain is mostly flat prairie in the west, with forest and lake areas in the east. The city has grown steadily over decades, and the housing market in the area served by Kennedy, based on data covering the wider ZIP code, shows home values that are slightly above the state average. Rents are in a similar range. The area maintains a suburban, auto-oriented layout, though the university campus provides a concentrated pedestrian zone.
For a family considering Kennedy ES, the picture is not one of broad academic strength on state measures, but rather a school where the majority of students are not meeting the state's proficiency benchmarks in math, reading, or science. The school serves a diverse student population within a well-resourced district that has recently made significant capital investments. A parent moving into the area should visit the school, ask about academic support programs, and understand how the district's restructuring and bond work may affect the daily experience of students and staff. The school's location in Norman offers the advantages of a midsized university city with cultural amenities and a relatively stable housing market, but the academic data suggests families should go in with their eyes open and questions ready.
See more original research from School Decision →