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Average

#539 of 1,750 schools in OK

Top 31% in state

Balko ES

Elementary School · BALKO

110 Bison Lane, Balko, OK 73931

Enrollment

99

Student-Teacher

8.2:1

Score

6.7

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Oklahoma schools

#539 of 1,750

In Balko

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#2 of 2

BALKO

School environment

10.0 / 10

Excellent

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Balko ES

6.7/10

Elementary School in Balko · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Balko HS

8.1/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Ludi Pena Martin Accelerated Education Center

Nearby

15.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Balko ES

Balko ES is a public elementary school in Balko, OK, part of BALKO. Balko ES serves approximately 99 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 8.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Balko ES has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #539 of 1,750 schools in OK.

Structured state assessment records for Balko ES show 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

What's said publicly about Balko ES

Sources: School's website

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026. Reviewed for accuracy.

Balko ES, also referred to as Balko School, has a mascot known as the Bison 1 . The school community has highlighted several student achievements and athletic successes. Brya Applehans was selected for the High Plains Technology Center’s 2025-26 Superintendent Leadership Class after being recognized by instructors for her strong leadership potential 1 . Kelby Sager was selected to participate in Youth Leadership Oklahoma, a program for top high school juniors that involves touring important sites, meeting state leaders, and developing leadership skills 1 . In athletics, the school added a new Bison to its fence to recognize the 2025 Girls Cross Country team's state runner-up finish 1 . The source also mentions runners who helped lead the Bulls to a title, though the specific sport for this title is not explicitly defined in the text 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. www.balko.k12.ok.us
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy
How it compares0.7 pts above OK schools
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • OK avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

At 99 students, Balko ES is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

At 8.2:1 students to teachers, Balko ES sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Balko ES sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.0Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-17.5 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics9.1Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44% (2025 OSTP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42% (2025 OSTP)
Overall Proficiency43% (2025 OSTP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)35% (model expectation from 2025 OSTP)
vs. Expected+7.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile86th
Resources & Environment10.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,839
Chronic Absenteeism9.1%

Balko ES — Students at Balko ES score 43% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OK OSTP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 57.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 56.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A

Based on 33 test records from OK state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
74.5%
ELA
54.5%
2010
Math
64.5%
ELA
64.5%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2015
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2024
Math
62%
ELA
59%
2025
Math
44%
ELA
42%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.0/10.

How Balko ES Compares

See how Balko ES performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
69th percentile in OK
Academic
9.1/10
Excellent
Growth
4.0/10
Below Average
Environment
10.0/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
9.1%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

110 Bison Lane, Balko, OK 73931

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Balko ES may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. KIRKSEY EL (rated 9.4/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby Booker), which scores notably higher. Another option is EDWIN F WILLIAMS INT (rated 8.8/10, 16.9 miles away, in nearby Perryton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, BEAVER ES (rated 7.7/10, 17.6 miles away, in nearby Beaver), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Balko, see our Balko schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 30.3 mi
School Distance Rating
BALKO HS Balko 0.0 mi 8.1
LUDI PENA MARTIN ACCELERATED EDUCATION CENTER Perryton 15.1 mi
PERRYTON KINDER Perryton 15.9 mi 6.9
PERRYTON J H Perryton 16.0 mi 8.3
PERRYTON H S Perryton 16.5 mi 6.7
JAMES L WRIGHT EL Perryton 16.8 mi 5.8
EDWIN F WILLIAMS INT Perryton 16.9 mi 8.8
VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Perryton 17.0 mi
KIRKSEY EL Booker 15.7 mi 9.4
BOOKER JH/H S Booker 15.8 mi 9.3
BEAVER ES Beaver 17.6 mi 7.7
BEAVER HS Beaver 17.6 mi 7.6
TURPIN ES Turpin 19.0 mi 5.0
TURPIN HS Turpin 19.0 mi 5.4
FORGAN ES Forgan 22.6 mi 3.9
FORGAN HS Forgan 22.6 mi 8.3
DARROUZETT SCHOOLS Darrouzett 25.4 mi 3.8
Seymour Rogers Middle School Liberal 30.2 mi 6.5
Prairie View Elementary School Liberal 30.2 mi 7.2
Sunflower Elementary School Liberal 30.3 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 73931 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$44,423

Median Home Value

$87,200

Median Rent

$784/mo

Population

536

College Educated

52.3%

Homeownership

77.4%

Poverty Rate

2.6%

Median Age

41.7

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
CRAIN ES Clayton, OK 6.7
DOVER ES Dover, OK 6.7
FORT SUPPLY ES Fort Supply, OK 6.7
OLIVE ES Drumright, OK 6.7
BLAIR ES Blair, OK 6.8
HOMINY EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Hominy, OK 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Balko ES

What grades does Balko ES serve?

Balko ES serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Balko ES?

Balko ES has an enrollment of approximately 99 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Balko ES?

The student-teacher ratio at Balko ES is 8.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Balko ES rank in OK?

Balko ES ranks #539 of 1,750 schools in OK.

What is Balko ES's MySchoolScout rating?

Balko ES has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Balko ES?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Balko ES has 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Balko ES a charter school?

No, Balko ES is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Balko ES a Title I school?

No, Balko ES is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Balko ES?

50.5% of students at Balko ES qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
24 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
99
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Free/Reduced Lunch
50.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Beaver County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
9.1%

District

BALKO
District Enrollment
145
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$27,839
District Rank
#2 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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