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Very Good

#276 of 1,747 schools in OK

Top 16% in state

Ralph Downs ES

Elementary School · PUTNAM CITY

7501 West Hefner Road, Oklahoma City, OK 73162

Enrollment

409

Student-Teacher

14.6:1

Score

7.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Oklahoma City

#13 of 134

public schools

Oklahoma elementary schools

#142 of 915

In district

#1 of 26

PUTNAM CITY

Academic performance

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Ralph Downs ES

Ralph Downs Elementary School serves 409 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Oklahoma City, earning recognition as one of the state's higher-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranking #258 out of 1,752 schools statewide, Ralph Downs places in the 85th percentile among Oklahoma schools. The school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 14.6 to 1 with 28 full-time equivalent teachers providing instruction.

Students show solid academic progress, with 42% achieving proficiency or above in mathematics and 32% meeting proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading across all grade levels. The school's overall academic score of 8.1 reflects its commitment to educational excellence. Ralph Downs Elementary operates as a regular public school in a well-established neighborhood where families demonstrate strong educational values.

The surrounding community in the 73162 zip code features a median household income of $84,862 and a low poverty rate of just 6.3%. With 42% of area residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and median home values around $220,700, the school serves families in a stable, education-focused environment. Located at 7501 West Hefner Road, Ralph Downs Elementary sits within Oklahoma City's large urban setting while maintaining the feel of a close-knit school community.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.3Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.09 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.9Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32%
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected+11.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.4Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,740

Ralph Downs ES — Students at Ralph Downs ES score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

71.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OK EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 38.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 33.7%
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
42%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
32%

* 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: 7.3/10.

How Ralph Downs ES Compares

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

Overall Score
7.8/10
84th percentile in OK
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
7.3/10
Above average
Environment
7.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers

Location

7501 West Hefner Road, Oklahoma City, OK 73162

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ralph Downs ES may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. NORTHRIDGE ES (rated 7.6/10, 2.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is SPRING CREEK ES (rated 7.3/10, 3.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, HARVEST HILLS ES (rated 6.5/10, 0.9 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Oklahoma City, see our Oklahoma City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.6 mi
School Distance Rating
PUTNAM CITY NORTH HS Oklahoma City 0.8 mi 6.7
HARVEST HILLS ES Oklahoma City 0.9 mi 6.5
DENNIS ES Oklahoma City 1.0 mi 5.4
WILL ROGERS ES Oklahoma City 1.3 mi 4.5
WILEY POST ES Oklahoma City 1.3 mi 3.3
NORTHRIDGE ES Oklahoma City 2.0 mi 7.6
HEFNER MS Oklahoma City 2.2 mi 4.9
COOPER MS Oklahoma City 2.7 mi 4.7
WARM WORLD SCHOOL Oklahoma City 2.8 mi 1.6
TULAKES ES Oklahoma City 3.0 mi 3.1
SPRING CREEK ES Oklahoma City 3.2 mi 7.3
DOVE SCIENCE ACADEMY MS Warr Acress 3.1 mi 5.4
DOVE SCIENCE ACADEMY ES Warr Acres 3.1 mi 4.2
GOOD SHEPHERD Oklahoma City 3.0 mi
ROLLINGWOOD ES Oklahoma City 3.6 mi 5.7
STONE RIDGE ES Yukon 3.4 mi 5.4
JOHN MARSHALL HS Oklahoma City 3.4 mi 6.0
ODYSSEY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Oklahoma City 3.9 mi 6.6
BETHANY HS Bethany 4.5 mi 6.9
BETHANY MS Bethany 4.6 mi 7.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 73162 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$89,984

Median Home Value

$234,800

Median Rent

$1,147/mo

Population

28,610

College Educated

46.9%

Homeownership

75.8%

Avg Commute

22.8 min

Poverty Rate

6.5%

Median Age

41.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ralph Downs ES has a median household income of $89,984. It is a well-educated community where 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $234,800, with a median rent of $1,147/month. The local poverty rate of 6.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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
ARTHUR ES Oklahoma City, OK 7.8
BLACKWELL ES Blackwell, OK 7.8
CLAREMONT ES Claremore, OK 7.8
HENNESSEY LOWER ES Hennessey, OK 7.8
JANE PHILLIPS ES Bartlesville, OK 7.8
PIONEER ES Noble, OK 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ralph Downs ES

What grades does Ralph Downs ES serve?

Ralph Downs ES serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Ralph Downs ES?

Ralph Downs ES has an enrollment of approximately 409 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ralph Downs ES?

The student-teacher ratio at Ralph Downs ES is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ralph Downs ES rank in OK?

Ralph Downs ES is ranked #276 out of 1,747 schools in OK.

What is Ralph Downs ES's MySchoolScout rating?

Ralph Downs ES has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Ralph Downs ES?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ralph Downs ES has 38.7% math proficiency and 33.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ralph Downs ES a charter school?

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

Is Ralph Downs ES a Title I school?

No, Ralph Downs ES is not currently a Title I school.

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

71.4% of students at Ralph Downs 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
55 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,586/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
409
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
71.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Oklahoma County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

PUTNAM CITY
District Enrollment
18,733
Schools in District
26
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,727
District Rank
#1 of 26

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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