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Below Average

#1386 of 1,747 schools in OK

Cottonwood Public School

Elementary School · COTTONWOOD

Post Office Box 347, Coalgate, OK 74538

Enrollment

128

Student-Teacher

9.1:1

Score

4.9

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Coalgate

#4 of 4

public schools

Oklahoma elementary schools

#699 of 915

School environment

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Cottonwood Public School

Cottonwood Public School serves 128 students in prekindergarten through eighth grade in the small community of Coalgate, Oklahoma. This regular public school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 9.1 to 1 with 14 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention in small classroom settings. The school earns a solid MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #375 out of 1,752 Oklahoma schools, placing it in the 79th percentile statewide.

While academic performance shows room for growth, with 34% of students proficient or above in English Language Arts and 24% in mathematics, the school's strong ranking suggests effective teaching within the local context. Cottonwood serves a working-class community where the median household income is $47,097 and about one in four residents live below the poverty line. The area has a modest college education rate of 19%, and median home values reflect the rural setting at $89,600.

As an elementary school in Coal County, Cottonwood provides foundational education in a close-knit environment where teachers can develop meaningful relationships with students and families. The school operates in a remote rural setting, offering the benefits of small-town education where every student is known and valued.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 128 students, Cottonwood Public School 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 9.1:1, Cottonwood Public School 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, Cottonwood Public School 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 Progress1.2Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-11.85 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.9Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.5%
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)23%
vs. Expected+6.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,655

Cottonwood Public School — Students at Cottonwood Public School score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

75.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OK EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 41.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 46.2%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
24.5%
ELA
34.5%

* 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: 1.2/10.

How Cottonwood Public School Compares

See how Cottonwood Public School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.9/10
21th percentile in OK
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
1.2/10
Below average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
76%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers

Location

Post Office Box 347, Coalgate, OK 74538

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cottonwood Public School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. LANE PUBLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 21.3 miles away, in nearby Lane), which scores notably higher. Another option is TUPELO ES (rated 8.5/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Tupelo), which scores notably higher. Additionally, WAPANUCKA ES (rated 8.2/10, 18.1 miles away, in nearby Wapanucka), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Coalgate, see our Coalgate schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.6 mi
School Distance Rating
WALLACE BYRD MS Coalgate 1.8 mi 5.4
COALGATE HS Coalgate 1.9 mi 7.6
EMERSON ES Coalgate 1.9 mi 6.7
STRINGTOWN ES Stringtown 10.4 mi 4.6
STRINGTOWN HS Stringtown 10.4 mi 7.4
ATOKA ES Atoka 12.5 mi 3.7
ATOKA HS Atoka 12.6 mi 8.8
TUPELO ES Tupelo 13.3 mi 8.5
TUPELO HS Tupelo 13.3 mi 8.3
TUSHKA ES Atoka 16.5 mi 5.1
TUSHKA HS Atoka 16.5 mi 7.3
HARMONY PUBLIC SCHOOL Atoka 18.0 mi 8.0
WAPANUCKA ES Wapanucka 18.1 mi 8.2
WAPANUCKA HS Wapanucka 18.1 mi 6.1
CANEY ES Caney 22.1 mi 5.9
CANEY HS Caney 22.2 mi 8.2
LANE PUBLIC SCHOOL Lane 21.3 mi 8.8
STONEWALL ES Stonewall 19.8 mi 8.2
STONEWALL HS Stonewall 19.8 mi 5.4
KIOWA ES Kiowa 20.6 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 74538 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$48,824

Median Home Value

$93,800

Median Rent

$670/mo

Population

3,933

College Educated

18.7%

Homeownership

65.4%

Avg Commute

19.3 min

Poverty Rate

22.7%

Median Age

39.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cottonwood Public School has a median household income of $48,824. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $93,800, with a median rent of $670/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
BEAVER ES Beaver, OK 4.9
CEMENT ES Cement, OK 4.9
DREXEL ACADEMY Tulsa, OK 4.9
HILLSDALE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hillsdale, OK 4.9
OLUSTEE-ELDORADO ES Olustee, OK 4.9
WELCH ES Welch, OK 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cottonwood Public School

What grades does Cottonwood Public School serve?

Cottonwood Public School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Cottonwood Public School?

Cottonwood Public School has an enrollment of approximately 128 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Public School?

The student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Public School is 9.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cottonwood Public School rank in OK?

Cottonwood Public School is ranked #1386 out of 1,747 schools in OK.

What is Cottonwood Public School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cottonwood Public School has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Cottonwood Public School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cottonwood Public School has 41.2% math proficiency and 46.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Cottonwood Public School a charter school?

No, Cottonwood Public School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Cottonwood Public School a Title I school?

No, Cottonwood Public School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cottonwood Public School?

75.8% of students at Cottonwood Public School 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
Elevated (962/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
128
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
75.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Coal County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

COTTONWOOD
District Enrollment
128
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,510
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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