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Excellent

#5 of 1,747 schools in OK

Top 1% in state

Balko ES

Elementary School · BALKO

110 Bison Lane, Balko, OK 73931

Enrollment

99

Student-Teacher

8.2:1

Score

9.5

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Balko

#1 of 2

public schools

Oklahoma elementary schools

#4 of 915

In district

#1 of 2

BALKO

School environment

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Balko ES

Balko Elementary School serves 99 students in prekindergarten through eighth grade in Balko, Oklahoma. As a regular public school, it earns a composite score of 9.5 out of 10 — rated Exceptional — driven by a 9.7 academic score and a 9.2 growth score, both reflecting strong and consistent student progress. The numbers place Balko ES among Oklahoma's elite.

It ranks 5th out of 1,747 public schools statewide and 4th out of 915 elementary schools in Oklahoma, outperforming every other public school in the state. For families comparing options, that standing carries real weight. The school's student-teacher ratio of 8.2 to 1 means students get substantial individual attention — a practical advantage in a school of this size.

Small enrollment and high academic performance make Balko ES a standout choice for families in the area. Parents searching for a school that delivers measurable results will find the data here compelling: top-five statewide, top-four among elementary schools, and academic and growth scores that consistently rank above the vast majority of Oklahoma peers.

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

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 99 students, Balko ES is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.2:1, Balko ES offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Balko ES may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.2Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.63 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics9.7Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52%
Overall Proficiency52%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected+16.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile95th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment10.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$24,411

Balko ES — Students at Balko ES score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

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 EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 48.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 50.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from OK state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
52%

* 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: 9.2/10.

How Balko ES Compares

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

Overall Score
9.5/10
100th percentile in OK
Academic
9.7/10
9.7/10
Growth
9.2/10
Above average
Environment
10.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers

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 9.8/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby Booker), which scores slightly higher. Another option is EDWIN F WILLIAMS INT (rated 8.9/10, 16.9 miles away, in nearby Perryton), with a comparable rating. Additionally, JAMES L WRIGHT EL (rated 7.0/10, 16.8 miles away, in nearby Perryton), a more accessible option. 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 8.8
LUDI PENA MARTIN ACCELERATED EDUCATION CENTER Perryton 15.1 mi
PERRYTON KINDER Perryton 15.9 mi 6.4
PERRYTON J H Perryton 16.0 mi 9.0
PERRYTON H S Perryton 16.5 mi 7.5
JAMES L WRIGHT EL Perryton 16.8 mi 7.0
EDWIN F WILLIAMS INT Perryton 16.9 mi 8.9
VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Perryton 17.0 mi
KIRKSEY EL Booker 15.7 mi 9.8
BOOKER JH/H S Booker 15.8 mi 8.0
BEAVER ES Beaver 17.6 mi 4.9
BEAVER HS Beaver 17.6 mi 8.3
TURPIN ES Turpin 19.0 mi 4.4
TURPIN HS Turpin 19.0 mi 5.2
FORGAN ES Forgan 22.6 mi 6.4
FORGAN HS Forgan 22.6 mi 7.8
DARROUZETT SCHOOLS Darrouzett 25.4 mi 6.2
Seymour Rogers Middle School Liberal 30.2 mi 4.8
Prairie View Elementary School Liberal 30.2 mi 5.2
Sunflower Elementary School Liberal 30.3 mi 5.2

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Balko ES has a median household income of $44,423. It is a well-educated community where 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $87,200, with a median rent of $784/month. The local poverty rate of 2.6% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
WARD ES Shidler, OK 9.4
TALOGA ES Taloga, OK 9.3
MAZIE ES Chouteau, OK 9.1
ARNETT ES Arnett, OK 9.0
BOKOSHE ES Bokoshe, OK 8.9
TURKEY FORD PUBLIC SCHOOL Wyandotte, OK 8.9

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 is ranked #5 out of 1,747 schools in OK.

What is Balko ES's MySchoolScout rating?

Balko ES has a composite rating of 9.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Balko ES?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Balko ES has 48.7% math proficiency and 50.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
0 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
24 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (417/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

Other Schools in This District

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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