The top reported proficiency rate is 18% in Science. The lowest is 8% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Ryan Es
Ryan ES is a public school serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in the small rural town of Ryan, Oklahoma. It is the only elementary and middle school in the Ryan Public Schools district, which also operates a separate high school. The school’s enrollment is modest, with a student body that is predominantly white, a substantial Hispanic population, and small shares of students identifying as two or more races, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Black. The share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch was not available in the data we reviewed, nor were counts of students with disabilities or English learners, so a full picture of economic and learning support needs is incomplete based on what is reported.
Academically, state assessment results for the 2024-25 school year present a difficult picture. The school’s overall proficiency index, which averages the percentage of students scoring at or above the proficient level across tested grades and subjects, places the school below the midpoint when compared with the other districts in Jefferson County. In math, the data show that in the fourth and fifth grades, only a very small number of students reached proficiency, and the share in seventh grade was slightly higher but still low. Results for third, sixth, and eighth grade math were suppressed, meaning the state withheld the figure for privacy or another reason, likely because the tested group was too small to release. A similar pattern holds for English language arts: in fourth grade, fifth grade, sixth grade, and eighth grade, the share of students scoring proficient was low, while results for third and seventh grade were suppressed. Science results were somewhat stronger for eighth graders than for fifth graders, though still a modest share. A parent considering this school should be aware that Oklahoma changed the cut scores for math and reading assessments in this testing cycle, which makes it difficult to compare year-over-year trends; the state flagged this change for both subjects. The raw numbers on the page give the precise percentages, but the overall picture is that student achievement is well below state averages, and a family would want to follow up directly with the school about the specific supports in place.
Because the school serves only through eighth grade, there is no graduation rate to report. Chronic absenteeism data were also missing. Disciplinary data and staffing ratios were not available in the records we accessed. The school’s website was not included in the information provided, so program offerings, extracurricular activities, and any special academic tracks could not be described here.
The town of Ryan itself is a small rural community with deep roots in agriculture and ranching. It has experienced a long-term decline in population, and major employers like the town’s nursing home have closed, leaving the school district as the primary local employer. The housing market reflects the area’s economic challenges: home values are well below the state median and have seen a recent drop, making homeownership relatively affordable by national standards but also indicating a depressed local economy. The town’s civic anchors include the school, the Town Hall, and several churches. Schools and civic life are integrated within the compact town layout, with Ryan ES located inside the community.
For a parent or resident, this is a school serving a small, economically struggling rural community. The academic proficiency rates are very low across tested subjects, a pattern that warrants a direct conversation with school leadership about intervention strategies, instructional quality, and any special programs for struggling students. The absence of program and staffing data means a family should also ask about class sizes, availability of special education services, English learner support, and enrichment opportunities. This school fits a family that lives in the area and values a local, small-town community setting. For a family relocating to Ryan with school-age children, a careful look at the school’s current improvement efforts and a conversation with the principal would be essential next steps.
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