The top reported proficiency rate is 36% in Math. The lowest is 35% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Monroe Es
Monroe ES serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Norman, Oklahoma, and the picture that emerges from the data is of a school whose core strength is its academic standing relative to other elementary schools in the same county, even as its own test results suggest room for growth. Located on McGee Drive in a city dominated by the University of Oklahoma, the school operates as part of the Norman district, which has experienced notable recent changes including the closure of two elementary schools after the 2022-23 year and a major bond issue approved in 2023 for facility upgrades and security improvements.
The school’s proficiency on Oklahoma’s state assessments places it in the top quartile among elementary schools across Cleveland County, a useful benchmark given that the comparison set includes eight districts. That top-quartile position reflects a mean proficiency rate across tested subjects that exceeds the county median. Yet a close look at the grade-by-grade results shows variability. In math, the share of students scoring at proficient or above in grade three was modest, rising to a stronger showing in grade four, then dropping again in grade five. In English language arts, the pattern was similar: grade three at a moderate level, grade four slightly lower, and grade five a bit higher. The fifth-grade science result was suppressed and therefore not available for public reporting, which is a gap a parent may want to ask the school about directly.
Because Monroe ES serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to consider, and no data on chronic absenteeism or discipline was available. The school’s enrollment is moderately sized for its grade band, with about that many students across pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. The student body is majority white, with Hispanic students making up the second-largest group, followed by smaller shares of students who identify as two or more races, Black, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Asian. The free-or-reduced-price lunch rate was not reported, so the economic profile of the school community cannot be assessed from this data alone. Similarly, no information was provided on the share of students with disabilities or English learners.
The housing context in Norman shows that homes in the area carry a value that is above the state benchmark and close to the national median, while rents have been rising. The monthly mortgage cost for a typical home would be somewhat higher than the median rent, a dynamic that reflects the broader market in a growing university town. Norman itself has grown steadily over decades, aided by Interstate 35 and the presence of the University of Oklahoma, which employs a substantial workforce. The city’s parks system and cultural amenities, including museums on the university campus, add to the residential appeal.
For a family considering Monroe ES, the key takeaway is that the school performs well relative to its county peers on state tests, but the absolute proficiency rates hover in a range that may give some parents pause. The school’s top-quartile standing suggests that the broader district context matters; Norman Public Schools recently invested in facilities and technology through a large bond, which may affect the learning environment over time. The absence of certain data points such as economic disadvantage and special education populations means a parent should ask the school directly about how those groups are supported. Monroe ES offers a standard elementary pathway through fifth grade, after which students would move on to a Norman middle school. The school’s setting in a stable, university-anchored city with a mix of residential and commercial areas provides a familiar suburban context. The recent district restructuring, including school closures, may influence feeder patterns and school choice for families in this area, so it is worth confirming current attendance boundaries.
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