The top reported proficiency rate is 13% in Math. The lowest is 10% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Mitchell Es
Mitchell Elementary is a traditional public school in Tulsa, Oklahoma, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. It is part of Tulsa Public Schools, the state’s largest district, which has been under public scrutiny in recent years. At Mitchell, the student body is diverse, with a majority of students identifying as Hispanic and smaller shares of White, two or more races, Black, American Indian, and Asian students. The school sits in a neighborhood where housing values are notably lower than the national average and somewhat below the state average, making the area relatively affordable compared to many parts of the country. Rents also run below the national norm, and the estimated monthly cost of owning a home is modest relative to typical incomes.
Academically, state assessment results for the 2024-25 school year show that overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places Mitchell well below the midpoint among districts in Tulsa County, in the bottom quartile. In math, proficiency rates for third, fourth, and fifth graders were each low, with the fifth-grade rate the lowest of the three. In English language arts, the fourth-grade proficiency rate was also low, while the fifth-grade rate was somewhat higher. Science results for fifth graders were similarly low. Because the state changed cut scores for math and English language arts in this assessment cycle, the results are not directly comparable to prior years, but the overall picture is one of a school where a large majority of students are not reaching the state’s proficiency benchmarks. Parents should be aware that the school’s academic performance is an area of concern, and they may want to discuss with the school what supports are in place for students who are below grade level.
The school’s enrollment is modest for its grade band, and it serves a population that is overwhelmingly Hispanic. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals, receive special education services, or are English learners was not available in the records reviewed, so families with children in those categories should ask the school directly about its programs and staffing.
Mitchell sits within a district that has been navigating a period of transition. In 2023, the state board of education lowered Tulsa Public Schools’ accreditation to “accredited with deficiencies,” citing low academic performance and concerns over library policies. The district remains operational and is working to address those issues. In 2024, voters approved a large bond package for facility improvements, safety upgrades, technology, and instructional materials across all school sites, which will not raise property tax rates because it replaces expiring bond debt. Also in 2024, the district closed two elementary schools as part of a portfolio review driven by declining enrollment, signaling ongoing adjustments that may affect attendance boundaries or school assignments in the future.
Tulsa itself is a mid-sized city with a diversified economy rooted in energy, aviation, finance, and technology. It has a downtown with notable Art Deco architecture, cultural institutions like the Gilcrease Museum and the Woody Guthrie Center, and multiple universities. The city has seen steady population growth over the long term, but its school district has experienced a decline in enrollment, which is one factor behind the recent closures.
For a family considering Mitchell Elementary, the school offers a small, neighborhood-focused setting in an affordable part of Tulsa. The academic results are low and the district is under state-level scrutiny, so a parent would want to investigate what academic interventions and enrichment opportunities are available, how the school supports students who are not yet proficient, and how the district’s ongoing restructuring might affect the school’s future. The school’s diversity and the city’s broader cultural and economic resources are assets, but the academic challenges are real and should be weighed carefully.
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