The top reported proficiency rate is 26% in Science. The lowest is 17% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Wagoner Ms
Wagoner Middle School serves sixth through eighth grade in the Wagoner school district, a system that covers the small city of Wagoner in Wagoner County. The middle school sits within a town that describes itself as a suburban area for Tulsa and Muskogee, retaining a rural, small-town feel with proximity to Fort Gibson Lake. Parents considering this school will find a community that is car-dependent, with a traditional downtown core and a history museum, a sports complex, and a water park as local amenities.
The enrollment at this middle school is of a modest size for its grade band. The student body is diverse, with a substantial share of students identifying as White, a notable portion identifying as two or more races, and a meaningful presence of students who are American Indian or Alaska Native. Smaller groups include students who are Black, Hispanic, and Asian. Data on the share of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch was not available, nor were counts of students with disabilities or English learners.
This is where the data becomes the main story for a family. On the state’s academic assessments, the Oklahoma School Testing Program, the school’s results are low across the board. In mathematics, the share of students scoring at or above the proficient level was modest for sixth grade and roughly similar for seventh grade, but it fell notably for eighth grade. In English language arts, the pattern was similar, with seventh grade showing a slightly higher portion proficient than either sixth or eighth grade. In science, which is tested in eighth grade, the proficiency rate was again modest. The school’s overall proficiency index sits above the midpoint among the four districts in Wagoner County, a reminder that the comparison set is small and that the local context matters; across the state, these numbers place the school well below typical levels. Oklahoma changed its cut scores for the math and English language arts assessments for this school year, meaning these results cannot be directly compared to prior years, so a family should treat this as a fresh baseline rather than a trend.
The district brief offers some context about recent investments. In 2024, voters approved a bond issue that funds roof replacements at the middle school and the high school, security entrance upgrades at all four school sites, district-wide HVAC improvements, technology upgrades, and new classroom equipment; the bond is structured so it does not increase the current property tax millage rate. A new career technology education partnership program began in the 2024-2025 school year, allowing high school students to participate in career tech courses, which may eventually create a pipeline for younger students but does not yet touch middle school directly.
The school itself does not appear to be a magnet or charter school. No data was available on discipline, course access, staffing, or attendance. A parent may want to ask the school directly about class sizes, available electives or enrichment programs, and how the school supports students who are struggling academically, given the proficiency results. The housing market in the area is below the national benchmark for home values, which may make this a more affordable entry point for families looking at the broader region. The town has seen modest growth, with ongoing municipal investment in recreation, and the district has shown a willingness to invest in its facilities and programs through voter-approved bonds.
This is a school where the academic numbers are the primary concern. For a family, this is not a school that will present a wide range of advanced coursework or high aggregate proficiency. It is a school in a small, affordable community that has recently invested in its physical plant and is beginning to expand high school career pathways. A parent should visit, ask about instruction and intervention, and decide whether the academic fit works for their child. The data does not offer much beyond this to evaluate the school’s climate, safety, or day-to-day life, so a visit is especially important.
See more original research from School Decision →