The top reported proficiency rate is 25% in Math. The lowest is 24% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Grissom Es
Grissom Elementary School serves students from prekindergarten through sixth grade within Tulsa Public Schools, though the school’s enrollment shows no students in sixth grade, meaning it functionally operates as a PK–5 elementary. The school is a traditional public school, not a charter, and is located in the southern part of Tulsa near the intersection of Interstate 44 and the Creek Turnpike, an area of the city with a mix of older single-family homes and newer subdivisions.
Academically, Grissom’s state test results from the 2024–25 school year show that a modest share of students scored at the proficient level on the Oklahoma School Testing Program assessments. In mathematics, the proportion of students reaching proficiency ranged from roughly one-fifth of third and fourth graders to about three-tenths of fifth graders. In English language arts, about a quarter of third and fourth graders were proficient, while results for fifth grade were suppressed, which often happens when the number of tested students in a group falls below a state threshold for reporting. Science results for fifth grade were also suppressed. When combining performance across tested subjects and grades, Grissom’s overall proficiency index places it below the midpoint relative to other elementary schools across Tulsa County, according to the available comparison set that includes all district-level entities in the county. No graduation rate applies because the school does not serve high school grades.
The school enrolls a student body that is racially and ethnically diverse. The largest share of students are white, followed by Hispanic students, a significant number of two or more races, Black students, and smaller shares of American Indian or Alaska Native and Asian students. Information on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals is not available in this data, so the economic profile of the student body cannot be characterized here. Similarly, data on students with disabilities and English learners was not reported.
Grissom is part of Tulsa Public Schools, which has faced district-level challenges that may be relevant for families. In August 2023, the Oklahoma State Board of Education lowered the district’s accreditation to “accredited with deficiencies,” citing low academic performance scores and concerns over library book policies. The district remains operational but must address those deficiencies. More recently, in early 2024, the school board voted to close two elementary schools as part of a portfolio review driven by declining enrollment across the district, which has dropped significantly over the past decade. At the same time, voters approved a substantial bond package in April 2024 to fund facility improvements, safety upgrades, technology, and instructional materials across all school sites, with no property tax rate increase because the bond replaces expiring debt. This infusion of capital may eventually affect Grissom’s facilities and resources, though the bond’s specific impact on this school is not detailed in the available information.
The surrounding housing market in the zip code where Grissom sits shows home values that are above the state average but below the national median, and rents have risen modestly over the past year. Tulsa itself is a mid-sized city with a diversified economy that includes finance, aviation, telecommunications, and technology, alongside its historic energy sector. The city has seen steady population growth, and the downtown area has a concentration of cultural institutions, including the Woody Guthrie Center and the Gilcrease Museum. The presence of several universities in the city adds to the educational landscape, though Grissom is not directly affiliated with any of them.
For a parent considering Grissom, the school offers a relatively small elementary setting within a large urban district that is navigating both academic challenges and reinvestment. The academic proficiency rates are lower than the midpoint of district peers in the county, and the district’s accreditation status is a factor some families may want to investigate further with the school or district directly. The recent bond funding signals planned improvements, but the district’s declining enrollment and school closures suggest ongoing organizational change. The school’s diverse student body and its location in a stable, growing part of Tulsa may appeal to families looking for a neighborhood school with a broad demographic mix.
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