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Very Good

#13 of 102 private schools in OK

Top 12% of private schools

St Mary's Catholic School

Elementary School

415 S 7TH ST, Ponca City, OK 74601

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 12 schools in Ponca City. Learn more

Enrollment

87

Student-Teacher

7.2:1

Score

7.8

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Ponca City

#1 of 2

public schools

Oklahoma elementary schools

#8 of 47

Academic performance

7.3 / 10

Strong

About St Mary's Catholic School

ST MARY'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL stands as Oklahoma's top-ranked elementary school, earning an impressive 8.7 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and holding the #1 position among the state's 102 elementary schools. This small Catholic school serves 87 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, offering an intimate learning environment with an exceptional 7.2-to-1 student-teacher ratio and 12 dedicated full-time equivalent teachers. The school's outstanding performance places it in the 100th percentile statewide, reflecting its commitment to academic excellence despite serving a modest enrollment.

This personalized approach allows teachers to provide individualized attention that larger schools often cannot match. Located at 415 S 7th Street in Ponca City, the school serves a community where the median household income is $46,365 and median home value is $89,600. The surrounding 74601 ZIP code area has a population of 18,994, with 14% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and a poverty rate of 20%.

ST MARY'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL operates in Ponca City's remote town setting in Kay County, providing families with a high-performing educational option that combines small-school intimacy with top-tier academic achievement in this close-knit Oklahoma community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 87 students, St Mary's Catholic 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 7.2:1, St Mary's Catholic 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.

As a private school, St Mary's Catholic School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How St Mary's Catholic School compares to 12 public schools serving similar grades in Ponca City, OK

Student-Teacher Ratio
7.2:1
This School
vs
17.1:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
87
This School
vs
295
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.8
This School
vs
6.0
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 63.2% vs 0%
Hispanic 17.2% vs 0%
Asian 3.4% vs 0%
Black 1.1% vs 0%
St Mary's Catholic School Ponca City Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
St Mary's Catholic School (this school) 7.8
GARFIELD ES 3.8
PONCA CITY EAST MS 3.5
ROOSEVELT ES 4.9
PONCA CITY WEST MS 4.9
LIBERTY ES 7.3
LINCOLN ES 4.4
WASHINGTON PRE KG CENTER 6.2
WOODLANDS ES 6.5
UNION ES 8.2
E. M. TROUT ES 6.2
MCCORD PUBLIC SCHOOL 8.4
KILDARE PUBLIC SCHOOL 8.1

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in OK.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 7.2:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 8.9 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,350
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A- 8.0 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 55%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B 6.0 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 87
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in OK

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 63.2%
Hispanic 17.2%
Two or More 14.9%
Asian 3.4%
Black 1.1%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

415 S 7TH ST, Ponca City, OK 74601

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering St Mary's Catholic School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MCCORD PUBLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is UNION ES (rated 8.2/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, KILDARE PUBLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 7.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Ponca City, see our Ponca City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.6 mi
School Distance Rating
GARFIELD ES Ponca City 0.2 mi 3.8
PONCA CITY EAST MS Ponca City 0.2 mi 3.5
ROOSEVELT ES Ponca City 0.7 mi 4.9
PONCA CITY HS Ponca City 1.1 mi 6.2
FIRST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Ponca City 1.1 mi 5.6
LIBERTY ES Ponca City 1.4 mi 7.3
WASHINGTON PRE KG CENTER Ponca City 1.6 mi 6.2
PONCA CITY WEST MS Ponca City 1.4 mi 4.9
LINCOLN ES Ponca City 1.5 mi 4.4
WOODLANDS ES Ponca City 1.7 mi 6.5
UNION ES Ponca City 2.4 mi 8.2
E. M. TROUT ES Ponca City 2.9 mi 6.2
MCCORD PUBLIC SCHOOL Ponca City 3.4 mi 8.4
KILDARE PUBLIC SCHOOL Ponca City 7.5 mi 8.1
NEWKIRK HS Newkirk 12.0 mi 8.0
NEWKIRK MS Newkirk 12.1 mi 5.7
NEWKIRK ES Newkirk 12.1 mi 5.2
PECKHAM PUBLIC SCHOOL Newkirk 14.0 mi 7.7
BLACKWELL HS Blackwell 12.9 mi 7.3
TONKAWA ES Tonkawa 12.6 mi 4.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 74601 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$48,810

Median Home Value

$94,700

Median Rent

$860/mo

Population

19,011

College Educated

14.7%

Homeownership

59.2%

Avg Commute

16.4 min

Poverty Rate

18.4%

Median Age

34.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding St Mary's Catholic School has a median household income of $48,810. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $94,700, with a median rent of $860/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.4%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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
CARLTON LANDING ACADEMY ES Carlton Landing, OK 7.6
EAGLETOWN ES Eagletown, OK 7.6
MONROE PUBLIC SCHOOL Monroe, OK 7.6
COWBOY JUNCTION CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Vinita, OK 8.1
Comanche Academy Lawton, OK 8.1
FORT SUPPLY ES Fort Supply, OK 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about St Mary's Catholic School

What grades does St Mary's Catholic School serve?

St Mary's Catholic School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend St Mary's Catholic School?

St Mary's Catholic School has an enrollment of approximately 87 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at St Mary's Catholic School?

The student-teacher ratio at St Mary's Catholic School is 7.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does St Mary's Catholic School rank in OK?

St Mary's Catholic School is ranked #13 out of 102 private schools in OK.

What is St Mary's Catholic School's MySchoolScout rating?

St Mary's Catholic School 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.

Is St Mary's Catholic School a private school?

Yes, St Mary's Catholic School is a private coeducational school with a Roman Catholic affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is St Mary's Catholic School a religious school?

St Mary's Catholic School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
61 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
49 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,101/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
87
Gender Split
61% M / 39% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
7.5 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Remote Town
County
KAY
Data Year
2022–2023

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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