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
Enrollment
128
Student-Teacher
9.1:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Cottonwood Public School — Students at Cottonwood Public School score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
75.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores OK EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from OK state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 24.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 34.5% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (580) 927-3907
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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.
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