The top reported proficiency rate is 4% in English language arts. The lowest is 3% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Hawthorne Es
Hawthorne ES serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Tulsa, Oklahoma’s largest school district. The school is part of Tulsa Public Schools, a district that has faced recent challenges: in 2023, state officials lowered the district’s accreditation to “accredited with deficiencies,” citing low academic performance and policy concerns. The following year, voters approved a substantial bond package for facilities, safety, and technology, and the board voted to close two elementary schools as part of a portfolio review driven by declining enrollment. These district-level dynamics shape the context for any family considering Hawthorne.
The school’s enrollment is modest for an elementary building serving seven grade levels. The student body is predominantly Black, with a much smaller share of white students, a notable share of Hispanic students, and smaller numbers of Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander students, students identifying as two or more races, American Indian or Alaska Native students, and Asian students. Data on free or reduced-price meal eligibility, special education identification, and English learner status were not available, so a family may want to ask the school directly about the share of students receiving support services.
On state assessments administered in the 2024-25 school year, student performance was very low overall. In math, proficiency rates in third and fourth grade were a few percentage points, and the fifth-grade result was suppressed for privacy reasons. In English language arts, proficiency rates across all three tested grades were similarly low. In science, the fifth-grade proficiency rate was also a few percentage points. The state changed its cut scores for math and English language arts that year, making direct comparisons with prior years uncertain. Across all tested subjects and grades, the school’s overall proficiency index placed it in the bottom quartile among elementary schools relative to other districts in Tulsa County.
There is no state testing data for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten because those grades are not tested. There is no graduation rate, as Hawthorne is an elementary school. The school’s charter status is not applicable, and no magnet designation is listed. Information on course access, staffing, discipline, attendance, and preschool enrollment was not available. A parent may wish to ask the school about class sizes, teacher retention, and any special programs or supports for students who are behind academically.
The housing market near the school is relatively affordable. Home values in the immediate area are well below the state average, and rents are below the national typical rent-to-income ratio. Monthly mortgage payments on a median-priced home would be lower than the typical rent, which could matter for families weighing homeownership. The area has seen a modest year-over-year decline in home values, contrasting with statewide and national increases.
Tulsa itself is a mid-sized city with a diversified economy that grew out of oil and now includes aviation, finance, and technology. Civic institutions and cultural venues cluster downtown, and the city has multiple universities. The school sits north of downtown, in a residential neighborhood near 33rd Street North. Families familiar with Tulsa will recognize this as a part of the city with its own identity and history, separate from the more affluent southern sections.
For a family considering Hawthorne, the core academic picture is straightforward: proficiency rates on state tests are very low. This is not a school where a typical student is meeting grade-level benchmarks in math, reading, or science. A parent whose child needs strong academic peers or a track record of high performance will find little evidence of that here. A family might choose this school for its neighborhood location, its role in the community, or because it is the closest option, but they should be prepared to supplement instruction and work closely with teachers to monitor progress. The district’s recent accreditation status and ongoing right-sizing add another layer for families to consider, as the stability of individual school assignments and resource levels may shift in the coming years. A parent may want to visit the school, talk to the principal about academic intervention programs, and ask what supports are in place for students who are below grade level.
See more original research from School Decision →