The top reported proficiency rate is 13% in Math. The lowest is 11% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Owen Es
Owen ES is a public elementary school in Tulsa, Oklahoma, serving prekindergarten through fifth grade. It is part of Tulsa Public Schools, the state’s largest district. The school sits in a north Tulsa neighborhood, an area shaped by the city’s broader story of economic shifts and demographic change.
The academic picture is the first thing a parent will notice. On the state OSTP assessments administered in the 2024-25 school year, the share of students scoring at the proficient level or above was very low across all tested grades and subjects. In math, the proportion of students meeting the standard was small in third grade, slightly larger in fourth, and again small in fifth. In English language arts, the pattern was similar: a very low rate in third grade and modestly higher but still low rates in fourth and fifth. In fifth-grade science, the rate was also low. When compared to other districts in Tulsa County, Owen’s overall proficiency index falls in the bottom quartile. The state cut scores for math and ELA were changed in the 2024-25 school year, which makes direct comparisons to prior years uncertain, but the current results are clearly a concern for families focused on academic achievement.
The student body is diverse. The largest group identifies as Hispanic, followed by white students, then students of two or more races, Black students, American Indian or Alaska Native students, and Asian students. The school enrolls a total that is typical for an elementary in this grade band. Data on the share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals, receiving special education services, or identified as English learners was not available in the profile, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about these support structures.
The surrounding community anchors the school. Tulsa is a mid-sized city with a diversified economy that includes finance, aviation, technology, and energy. The built environment includes notable Art Deco architecture and a downtown area with cultural institutions such as the Gilcrease Museum and the Woody Guthrie Center. The city has grown steadily and its metropolitan area is substantial. Housing in the area served by Owen is moderately priced compared to state and national benchmarks, and rents are manageable relative to typical incomes. The local unemployment rate is close to the national average.
The school’s district context adds another layer. Tulsa Public Schools recently passed a bond package that will fund facility improvements, safety upgrades, technology, and instructional materials across all sites, with no property tax increase because it replaces expiring debt. At the same time, the district has faced enrollment declines and in 2024 closed two elementary schools as part of a portfolio review process. In 2023, the state board of education lowered the district’s accreditation status to “accredited with deficiencies,” citing low academic performance. That designation means the district remains operational but must address identified shortcomings, and it is a factor families may weigh when considering the district’s overall health.
For a parent evaluating Owen, the academic results are the most salient point. The school serves a high-need population and the proficiency rates are well below the midpoint of its county peers. A family for whom strong test scores are a top priority would likely want to look into this further with the school and district, ask about recent improvement efforts, and consider whether the school’s other offerings or community fit offset the academic picture. The lack of data on free or reduced-price meals, special education, and English learner services means a parent should seek that information directly from the school. The district’s bond funding and the school’s status as a neighborhood elementary within a large, diverse city system are relevant context, but the core academic story is the one that stands out most clearly.
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