The top reported proficiency rate is 5% in Math. The lowest is 2% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Whitman Es
Whitman Es is an elementary school in the Tulsa Public Schools district, serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. The school is located in north Tulsa. The student body of roughly 250 children is majority Black, and the next largest group of students identifies as two or more races. The remainder of the enrollment is Hispanic, white, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and American Indian or Alaska Native, with no Asian students reported. Data on students eligible for free or reduced-price meals and on students with disabilities and English learners were not available for this school, so a family seeking that information would need to ask the school directly.
State testing data is available only for a single grade and subject, which gives a limited picture of academic performance. Oklahoma’s state assessments test students in grades three through five, but proficiency results for most grade levels and subjects at Whitman were suppressed for privacy reasons due to small group sizes. The only reported result comes from fifth-grade math, where a very small share of students scored at the proficient or advanced level. In fifth-grade science, the share of students reaching proficiency was similarly small. Because nearly all of the school’s testing data is withheld, it is impossible to draw a clear picture of how most students are performing academically. Parents should be aware that the available numbers suggest academic achievement is low, but they may want to discuss classroom-level progress and instructional supports directly with the school.
The district Whitman belongs to, Tulsa Public Schools, has been under scrutiny for academic performance. In 2023, the Oklahoma State Board of Education lowered the district’s accreditation status to “accredited with deficiencies,” a decision tied to low performance scores and library book policies. Voters approved a large bond package in 2024 that will fund facility improvements, technology, and instructional materials without raising property taxes. The district has also faced declining enrollment, leading to school closures in recent years as part of a portfolio review.
The housing market in the immediate area around the school reflects lower home values compared to many other parts of the city and state. Home values have declined slightly over the past year. Rents in the area are modest relative to income. The national unemployment rate and mortgage rates cited in economic context are unchanged at the time of this report, but these are general economic conditions, not local housing conditions for a family comparing options within the Tulsa metro. A family considering Whitman should weigh the broader district context and the limited testing picture, and they may want to visit the school to get a fuller sense of its programs and environment.
See more original research from School Decision →