The top reported proficiency rate is 12% in English language arts. The lowest is 5% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Felicitas Mendez Intl School
Felicitas Mendez International School is a pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade elementary school in north Tulsa, part of Tulsa Public Schools. It sits in the 74110 zip code, a largely residential area with housing values well below the state median, making it one of the more affordable parts of the city. Rental costs are modest, and the typical monthly housing expense is low relative to local incomes, which may appeal to families seeking an accessible neighborhood near downtown Tulsa.
The school’s state test results from the most recent year show low rates of proficiency. In math, across third, fourth, and fifth grades, the share of students meeting the state’s proficient or above threshold was below what is typical for the state. Reading and English language arts proficiency was similarly low, with rates in the single digits for fifth grade and just above that for third and fourth grades. Fifth-grade science proficiency was also very low. The state changed its cut scores for math and English language arts in this testing cycle, making direct comparisons with prior years unreliable, but the figures place the school in the bottom quarter of elementary schools across Tulsa County when measured by overall proficiency—a position a parent may want to explore further with the school or district to understand what academic supports are in place.
The student body is small for an elementary school. The majority of students are Hispanic, with smaller shares of White, Black, and students who identify as two or more races. A very small number of American Indian and Native Hawaiian students are also enrolled. The available data does not include information on the share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals, nor on the number of students receiving special education services or English learner supports. That absence of context around poverty and language support is a notable gap for a parent trying to understand the school’s full picture. The school does not appear to be a charter or magnet, and its Title I status is not reported.
Tulsa itself is a large, economically diverse city. Originally built on the oil industry, it now anchors a regional economy that includes aviation, finance, telecommunications, and technology. The city has a well-known collection of Art Deco architecture downtown, cultural institutions such as the Gilcrease Museum and the Woody Guthrie Center, and is situated along the Arkansas River with man-made lakes nearby. The overall metropolitan area has grown steadily, and the city remains a commercial hub.
Felicitas Mendez operates within the broader context of Tulsa Public Schools, which is the largest district in the state. The district has faced significant headwinds. Enrollment has declined, leading to school closures that reassign students to nearby buildings. In 2023, the state board of education lowered the district’s accreditation status to “accredited with deficiencies,” citing low academic performance scores. On the other hand, voters approved a large bond package in 2024 to fund facility upgrades, technology, and safety improvements across the district without raising property tax millage. That investment will reach all school sites, but the accreditation shadow remains a reality families in the district are living with.
Felicitas Mendez International School is a small, diverse elementary with academic performance well below state averages and district peers, housed in an affordable corner of a city with a dynamic economy and a district that is working through enrollment and quality challenges. There is no graduation rate because the school does not serve high school grades, and data on discipline, attendance, and staffing were not provided. A parent considering this school will want to learn directly about the specific interventions and enrichment available in the classroom.
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