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Average

#783 of 1,747 schools in OK

Top 45% in state

Buffalo Valley ES

Elementary School · BUFFALO VALLEY

4384 Southeast Highway 63, Talihina, OK 74571

Enrollment

135

Student-Teacher

12.3:1

Score

6.4

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Talihina

#3 of 5

public schools

Oklahoma elementary schools

#390 of 915

In district

#2 of 2

BUFFALO VALLEY

School environment

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Buffalo Valley ES

Buffalo Valley ES is a small rural elementary school located in Talihina, Oklahoma. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 135 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.3:1 with 11 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Buffalo Valley ES is currently ranked 4.3 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 26th percentile among Oklahoma schools.

Test scores show that 8% of students are proficient or above in ELA and reading, while 7% are proficient or above in math, indicating areas for improvement. Despite these challenges, Buffalo Valley ES offers a nurturing environment with dedicated teachers who focus on individual student development. The school’s remote setting provides a close-knit community where educators know each child well, fostering strong relationships between students, staff, and families.

Located just off Southeast Highway 63 in Talihina, the school is situated in a serene rural area surrounded by nature, making it an ideal place for children to grow and learn in a supportive atmosphere.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 135 students, Buffalo Valley 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.

While current test scores at Buffalo Valley ES are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Located in a rural area, Buffalo Valley 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 Progress7.9Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.33 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics2.1Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency2.5%
Overall Proficiency3%
Expected (poverty-adj.)14%
vs. Expected-11.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile5th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,777

Buffalo Valley ES — Students at Buffalo Valley ES score 2% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 14%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

94.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OK EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 6.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 8.3%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
15%
2022
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%

* 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: 7.9/10.

How Buffalo Valley ES Compares

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

Overall Score
6.4/10
55th percentile in OK
Academic
2.1/10
2.1/10
Growth
7.9/10
Above average
Environment
8.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
95%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

Location

4384 Southeast Highway 63, Talihina, OK 74571

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Buffalo Valley ES may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Jones Academy (rated 8.2/10, 18.7 miles away, in nearby Hartshorne), which scores notably higher. Another option is CRAIN ES (rated 7.4/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Clayton), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, HARTSHORNE ES (rated 7.4/10, 19.5 miles away, in nearby Hartshorne), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Talihina, see our Talihina schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.8 mi
School Distance Rating
BUFFALO VALLEY HS Talihina 0.0 mi 7.4
TUSKAHOMA PUBLIC SCHOOL Tuskahoma 8.1 mi 6.1
ALBION PUBLIC SCHOOL Albion 9.8 mi 4.9
CLAYTON HS Clayton 11.6 mi 7.4
CRAIN ES Clayton 11.7 mi 7.4
PANOLA ES Panola 13.6 mi 7.2
WILBURTON ES Wilburton 13.7 mi 4.1
TALIHINA ES Talihina 11.6 mi 6.8
TALIHINA JHS Talihina 11.6 mi 4.9
TALIHINA HS Talihina 11.7 mi 5.7
WILBURTON MS Wilburton 14.0 mi 5.5
WILBURTON HS Wilburton 14.1 mi 7.0
NASHOBA PUBLIC SCHOOL Nashoba 17.4 mi 4.3
RED OAK HS Red Oak 18.0 mi 7.4
RED OAK ES Red Oak 18.1 mi 6.6
Jones Academy Hartshorne 18.7 mi 8.2
LEFLORE ES Leflore 18.9 mi 3.4
LEFLORE HS Leflore 18.9 mi 7.5
HARTSHORNE ES Hartshorne 19.5 mi 7.4
HARTSHORNE HS Hartshorne 19.8 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 74571 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$40,128

Median Home Value

$104,100

Median Rent

$498/mo

Population

3,291

College Educated

18.7%

Homeownership

68%

Avg Commute

18.3 min

Poverty Rate

20.7%

Median Age

45.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Buffalo Valley ES has a median household income of $40,128. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $104,100, with a median rent of $498/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
CREATIVE KIDS LEARNING CENTER Oklahoma City, OK 6.4
MULHALL-ORLANDO ES Mulhall, OK 6.4
RYAN ES Ryan, OK 6.4
GERONIMO ES Geronimo, OK 6.5
PAOLI ES Paoli, OK 6.5
WAYNOKA ES Waynoka, OK 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Buffalo Valley ES

What grades does Buffalo Valley ES serve?

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

How many students attend Buffalo Valley ES?

Buffalo Valley ES has an enrollment of approximately 135 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Buffalo Valley ES?

The student-teacher ratio at Buffalo Valley ES is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Buffalo Valley ES rank in OK?

Buffalo Valley ES is ranked #783 out of 1,747 schools in OK.

What is Buffalo Valley ES's MySchoolScout rating?

Buffalo Valley ES has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Buffalo Valley ES?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Buffalo Valley ES has 6.7% math proficiency and 8.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Buffalo Valley ES a charter school?

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

Is Buffalo Valley ES a Title I school?

No, Buffalo Valley ES is not currently a Title I school.

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

94.8% of students at Buffalo Valley 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

City Safety
High (4,167/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Talihina). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
135
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
94.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Latimer County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

BUFFALO VALLEY
District Enrollment
208
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,662
District Rank
#2 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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